Winter Drive Longmont to Estes Park? (Lyons: lease, live in, relocating)

[hesmyhusband]

Can anyone give me an idea of the drive conditions in the fall/winter months? I would need to make a daily commute at least through Christmas. We currently live in north Longmont, so would go up through Lyons. All input is greatly appreciated!

[chilaili]

It can really vary a lot. Some days could be snowy and slick and others dry and sunny. And conditions vary in different areas of the road in that there can be icy and then dry patches. I believe that road is ploughed regularly and early on but there may be some days when you're going up or down in a snow- or icestorm. Are you familiar and confident with mountain driving in bad weather?

[hesmyhusband]

Thanks for your reply! I'm a confident winter driver - grew up in Michigan, have lived in Longmont for 12 years. I am just not familiar with the drive back and forth to Estes in the colder months. I'm considering relocating my business there and was hoping someone on the forums already does that commute and could give me insight on what to expect... more ice than snow? Reckless drivers? Snow plows consistent on clearing?

[Idunn]

I've never commuted on US 36 out of Estes Park, if occasionally driven it in winter. Never much of a problem (almost), and the road is well maintained. Perhaps too much so, with CDOT surely being responsible for many of the dead trees lining the road due magnesium chloride.

More usually, you probably will not have much problem. That road receives more sun than some others, melting fairly soon after a storm. Although also reliably shady areas where snow or ice will linger; with much experience one will know these spots. I had the advantage of driving this road when I felt like it, so more often near ideal conditions. The suspicion that if on a more or less daily basis there will be some days one would rather just not.

The exception spoken of was once in early autumn after a brief if somewhat heavy snow. In climbing the grade out of Estes Park, and before where it crests to basically descend all the way to Lyons, one or more drivers had spun out in the snow. As apparently going nowhere fast, with a long line of motorists now inconveniently at a full stop behind them on that incline, in the end it was just easier to turn around and make a very long detour via US 34. No idea when that mess cleared up. But only time I've experienced such a problem.

If with the skill and proper vehicle, then your biggest problem will invariably be other drivers. It seems more than a few of them in Colorado do not sufficiently respect snow, or slow down enough on it. Fortunately the days when that is really a concern will likely be limited, with more often sun and a more or less dry road.

It is not a commute I'd want to make on a regular basis, especially on some stormy day. But a beautiful drive, and one could do worse—like maybe navigating I-25.

[hesmyhusband]

Thanks for your input! If all goes well we will eventually live in or near Estes, but for now I have to make the commute from Longmont. I do have the option of setting my own hours - so if I need to stall and wait for the roads to clear a bit I could do that...or even call it a snow day and stay home! In negotiations regarding my leased space now, so we will see if it's meant to be!