Drive to Pagosa Springs (Denver, Superior: home, construction, live in)

[roverchris]

We live in Superior and are traveling to Pagosa to meet friends from back home on February 6th. Google Maps has the preferred and shorter distance traveling 285. We are considering going 25 to Walsenburg, then 160 to Pagosa. My concern is weather on 285 and just the drive at night in general. Anyone ever done this drive at night? Wondering what some opinions anyone may have.

Also, we are leaving after work that day (5:00ish), so I know 25 will be a mess until we hit the Springs.

[otowi]

If the weather is not active on/around the dates of your trip, I'd take 285 for sure. It's a nice drive day or night imho. If it is active, I guess it depends on where and how bad. If 285 is difficult, 160 is likely to be also.

[interloper1138]

Wolf Creek Pass on 160 between Pagosa and South Fork will be where the weather is likeliest to be your biggest concern which you'll have to take either way, unless you want to drive very far out of your way through New Mexico. Wolf Creek Pass closes and has chain restrictions far more often than 285 does in Park County. I wouldn't take I-25 unless the forecast for your travel dates is extremely poor between Trout Creek Pass and Kenosha Pass on 285. You're far more likely to get into a wreck along the I-25 corridor due to the sheer number of traffic and all the construction between Denver and Springs than you are along 285, even with less than ideal conditions.

Regarding driving it at night: I've driven that route many times in all sorts of conditions. At night the only thing you need to look out for are deer and elk along 285 between Kenosha Pass and Trout Creek Pass. There are several large herds of elk in the area and they're often near the highway. The traffic is generally very low on that route, though, so unless the weather is bad, Park County shouldn't give you any trouble.

Also, Wolf Creek Pass will absolutely be the most harrowing part of that journey even if you choose to take I-25. That's a very, very long haul from Superior in the dark. The pass is very steep on the southwest side with several hair-pin turns. If it does happen to be snowing when you hit the pass drive very carefully and take your time.

[roverchris]

Thanks for the advice guys. The wife and I were just talking about changing our plans and taking a half day at work and leaving around 1:00.

[snowave]

Wolf Creek Pass is overrated as a scary pass.It used to be a lot worse than it is now,when it was mostly 2 lanes.. but, I don't think it is that bad at all now. The worst part IMO is on the South Fork side, where the road is narrow and right along the river. The west side is 4 lanes most of the way down, and is heavily maintained during storms. The snow berms on the side of the road are usually high, so no fear of going over most of the time. The "hair pin" turns are only about 3, and if you go slow, you'll be fine. I'd say the worst part of Wolf Creek is if you hit it at the peak of a storm, then it sucks... mainly because it can snow 2-4" and hour, which causes reduced visibility and the plows can't keep it. It rarely closes due to current conditions anymore, but will close for a few hours in the early morning hours during and after big snows for avalanche control.

[wilberry]

Hey Rover Chris how was that drive ? did you also end up being swallowed by Northern NM ? did you turn left on 84 ? and accidently cross into nomans land ?

[wilberry]

I think OP got lost ..