Alt route from Grand Jct to Glennwood...I70 closed (Denver: spring break, transportation)

[5stones]

Visiting my folks in Grand Junction for Spring Break and we were going to ski a few days at Sunlight before heading to Denver.
But...just heard of the rock slide and I70 is closed.

So what would be the best ALt route this time of year? ARe the backraods of the mesa open?
I honestly in all years driving through Glenwood canyon can not think of a good "go- around" esp. with spring snows.

[chilaili]

CDOT is saying either Hwy 40 via Craig and Steamboat or Hwy 50 via Montrose are the go-arounds for now

[5stones]

ty that's what I thought. Hopefully they have 133 clearegood, if we have to go all the way to 24 it may not be worth it. (was trying to meet up with my brother to ski a couple of days) May just ski Powderhorn and Butte.

I was hoping to go in from Delta to Carbondale in then Glenwood. Maybe by next week it will be better.

[80skeys]

Your post is unclear. Are you asking for the route from GJ to Denver or from GJ to Glenwood Springs?

1) I-70 is not closed between Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs. The part that's closed is on the other side of Glenwood. So if you want to drive from GJ to Glenwood, take I-70.

2) If you're going to Denver, then you'll have to go through Steamboat Springs because Monarch Pass on US-50 is closed. You could avoid Monarch by taking Hwy 114 to Saguache and then over to US 285, but this adds ... I don't know. ... maybe another 70 miles?

3) To answer your other question: yes the roads on the Mesa are open. In particular US 65 between Mesa and Cedaredge is fine.

4) Hwy 330 between Collbran and Silt is open but driving on that road in winter is iffy because it's a gravel road and gets sloshy.

5) If you drive Delta to Carbondale, you have to go over McClure Pass. There's been heavy snow the past couple of days so might be a little sketchy.

http://cotrip.org gives you all the road closures and conditions.

[karpiel]

The best route is the one CDOT tells you to take. There are "shorter, more direct" routes, but expect them to take over an hour longer in the best conditions.

[5stones]

Grand jct to Glenwood then Glenwood to Denver.

Thanks 80skeys... I thought the closure was on the GJ side of Glenwood Springs. (so that helps if it's open)

But...you say Monarch pass is closed?
We are comming from TX and usually take 25 up from Raton and then jump over to take 50 into GJ.
Ugh...I would hate to have to go all the way up to Denver to 70 etc...Hopefully MOnarch will be open by Sat.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by 5stones

Thanks 80skeys... I thought the closure was on the GJ side of Glenwood Springs. (so that helps if it's open)

The closure is on the Denver side of Glenwood Springs.

But...you say Monarch pass is closed?

Yes they are detonating it for avalanche control.

We are comming from TX and usually take 25 up from Raton and then jump over to take 50 into GJ.

You can still do this, with a minor modification:

1. Take I-25 to Pueblo.
2. Take 50 west to Poncha Springs
3. Take 285 south to Saguache
4. Take 114 northwest to US-50.
5. Now you're back on 50 and you've bypassed Monarch Pass.

Plus the 114 drive is some really neat country.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

The closure is on the Denver side of Glenwood Springs.



Yes they are detonating it for avalanche control.



You can still do this, with a minor modification:

1. Take I-25 to Pueblo.
2. Take 50 west to Poncha Springs
3. Take 285 south to Saguache
4. Take 114 northwest to US-50.
5. Now you're back on 50 and you've bypassed Monarch Pass.

Plus the 114 drive is some really neat country.

Or he could come west on US160 over La Veta Pass to Monte Vista, then catch US285 to CO114. 6 of one, half dozen of the other, but another nice alternative. Of course, if winter weather is in the picture, either route can be challenging, especially if one has no experience dealing with it.

[5stones]

Thx for the alt by pass for Monarch.

weather can challange for any driver but, we are pretty familiar with it. Being a Native of CO(10 years in Pittsburg ) and hubby of New England we have spent too many drive in snowy conditions. But the smaller passes can be a bear. So we will check with CDOT before heading up!

Looking forward to some beautiful blue CO skies!!

[suzco]

News for all:

One lane open in each direction

Colorado Department of Transportation

I-70 Eastbound / Westbound Glenwood Springs - Dotsero (Glenwood Canyon) (Milemarker 116-133)

one lane is now open in each direction; 14 foot restriction in Glenwood Canyon expect delays. Last updated on March 11th, 2010 at 3:14pm.