Driving at end Feb from LAX to Flagstaff , then Cortez? (Denver: rental, airport)

[ashleygf]

As a novice winter driver (Sydney doesn't get much in the way of ice) , am I better off flying to Cortez?

Would like to do a road trip from LA to Telluride, but am a little nervous about the road conditions.

Would be in a 2 wheel drive, but can upgrade to 4 wheel. It appears that the road to Cortez and then Stoner is relatively stress free along 145 .


Any advice appreciated. Looking forward to 3 weeks of skiing, but want to get there in one piece!

[jazzlover]

To get to Telluride from Cortez, the shortest route takes you over Lizard Head Pass north of Rico. It is not for the faint of heart in bad road conditions. It sits in one of the highest snowfall districts in Colorado. The chances of encountering snowpacked or icy roads there is quite high, especially from January through April.

An alternative route from Cortez is to head northwest to Monticello, Utah on US 491, then north to LaSal Jct. on US 191, then east on Utah Hwy 46/Colorado Hwy. 90 to Colorado Hwy. 145, thence east to Telluride. This admittedly circuitous route circumvents Lizard Head Pass, but should not be considered a bed of roses in winter. Norwood Hill, between Norwood and Placerville, lies on a northward facing slope and is very prone to icy conditions in winter.

Keystone Hill immediately west of Telluride can also have its moments.

Not to single out the OP, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people come to Colorado to ski--which takes, uh, snow--and then think that they can find some magical route there on a dry road. It just doesn't work that way. If you are not comfortable driving in adverse winter conditions, Colorado is not the place to be driving in the wintertime.

[Katarina Witt]

Not to single out the OP, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people come to Colorado to ski--which takes, uh, snow--and then think that they can find some magical route there on a dry road. It just doesn't work that way. If you are not comfortable driving in adverse winter conditions, Colorado is not the place to be driving in the wintertime.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Such a trip is not the way to learn to drive in the snow. I don't know if it's possible to fly to Cortez, but if it is, I'd do it if I were the OP. I'd certainly fly to the closest airport and rent a car, if nothing else.

[Idunn]

It would be a lovely road trip . . . but the middle of winter and you don't know how to drive in snow. Maybe not. Even taking a southern route you might encounter snow on the roads west of Flagstaff, Arizona, possibly continuing all the way to Telluride. No reason you couldn't make such a drive, but with no experience in winter driving it is anything but advisable.

Due Lizard Head Pass and topography it would probably be easier to fly into Montrose, Colorado than using Cortez. Nevertheless even with such options you are still faced with relatively long drives over roads which will probably be snow packed in at least places.

To avoid driving, your best and safest option would be to fly directly into Telluride. Given its canyon setting, I wasn't even sure how near the closest airport could be, but in looking found the following link:
http://www.tellurideairport.com/

According to them, but a short 7 minute drive into town from the airport. Apparently you can catch flights into Telluride from either Denver, Colorado or Phoenix, Arizona. The next best option probably to fly into Montrose and then catch a passenger shuttle to Telluride. The key thing in both instances that someone else does the driving. Telluride is small and compact enough, not to mention upscale and popular, that some form of public transportation should well meet your needs during your entire trip.

Anyway, I wouldn't drive unless you really want to and willing to take the time first to learn how to do so safely.

Should be a great trip, and Telluride a gorgeous place.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Idunn

It would be a lovely road trip . . . but the middle of winter and you don't know how to drive in snow. Maybe not. Even taking a southern route you might encounter snow on the roads west of Flagstaff, Arizona, possibly continuing all the way to Telluride. No reason you couldn't make such a drive, but with no experience in winter driving it is anything but advisable.

Due Lizard Head Pass and topography it would probably be easier to fly into Montrose, Colorado than using Cortez. Nevertheless even with such options you are still faced with relatively long drives over roads which will probably be snow packed in at least places.

To avoid driving, your best and safest option would be to fly directly into Telluride. Given its canyon setting, I wasn't even sure how near the closest airport could be, but in looking found the following link:
http://www.tellurideairport.com/

According to them, but a short 7 minute drive into town from the airport. Apparently you can catch flights into Telluride from either Denver, Colorado or Phoenix, Arizona. The next best option probably to fly into Montrose and then catch a passenger shuttle to Telluride. The key thing in both instances that someone else does the driving. Telluride is small and compact enough, not to mention upscale and popular, that some form of public transportation should well meet your needs during your entire trip.

Anyway, I wouldn't drive unless you really want to and willing to take the time first to learn how to do so safely.

Should be a great trip, and Telluride a gorgeous place.

There are van services from the Montrose Airport to Telluride. That is probably the best option. The Telluride Airport is just west of town, but it is a hair-raising airport to fly in an out of. A good friend of mine is a private pilot with 50+ years of flying under his belts and tens of thousands of hours of mountain flying experience. The Telluride airport is one airport he will avoid whenever possible. It is one of those airports which leaves no margin for error in approaches or takeoffs--screw up and bad things will happen.

This photo, with a very apt description, was posted by someone on Flickr. You get the idea. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsmyther/40533074/ (broken link)

[brightdoglover]

What an incredible photo!

I think Telluride's setting, the box canyon, is magnificent, but I don't ski, so have only seen it in the summer when spending time in Ridgway.

I'd second the idea of flying into Montrose, and getting a shuttle or even a rental for the 50 miles (?) to Telluride. I'm not sure why the OP had eyes on Cortez at all, unless it was to make part of the Loop drive to Telluride, again, not a good winter venture. Montrose is a real airport, even for winter, I'd say.

[ashleygf]

Tks for all the input. We have 3 days to get to a friends place just north of Cortez so thought that it may make a nice road trip from LA .

Suspect that we fly into Montrose and leave the driving adventures for the locals.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by ashleygf

Tks for all the input. We have 3 days to get to a friends place just north of Cortez so thought that it may make a nice road trip from LA .

Suspect that we fly into Montrose and leave the driving adventures for the locals.

Good plan!