What are the driving conditions on hwy 114 during christmas time? (San Luis: maintenance, safety)

[boriz966]

I am traveling to crested butte from austin, texas to spend xmas. would like to know if any one has traveled this road during xmas and is it passable for a two wheel drive tahoe. will be traveling with two small children. safety first.

[maximusmgm]

Road conditions will vary based on the weather. You can check on road conditions here. http://cotrip.org/roadConditions.htm

[jazzlover]

That wholly depends on the weather at the time. The only consolation is that December is normally one of the driest months of the year in Colorado. That doesn't mean that you can't get caught in one humdinger of a storm. Weather conditions along the way can also can be unpredictable. It can be clear with sunshine down at Saguache in the San Luis Valley, and be snowing and blizzarding like hell up on the pass. CO 114 is lower than neighboring Monarch Pass with less sustained steep grades. That's a plus. The minus is that there is a lot of open country, especially on the west side until one gets to the canyon on Cochetopa (pronounced COACH-uh-tope, by the way) Creek. Those open areas can be prone to blizzarding if it is snowing and/or windy. Cochetopa Canyon is shaded most of the day during the winter months and can be icy. CO 114 is also considered somewhat of a lower priority winter maintenance road, with relatively sparse plowing, especially at night. It also is low traffic, especially in winter. I have driven it in winter when I have not met another vehicle between Saguache and US 50, some 60 miles. If you don't like having the road pretty much to yourself, it's not the route to take. Monarch Pass (US 50) has better maintenance and more traffic, but also is higher, has steeper sustained grades, and more blooming idiots trying to drive on it who don't have clue about winter driving. So, pick your poison. I've driven both--including numerous trips in really foul winter weather. Overall, I prefer Cochetopa, but I've been winter driving in Colorado for nearly 40 years now. Neither road is one for inexperienced winter drivers during bad winter driving conditions--either can be quite unforgiving. I would also advise having a winter driving kit with you in the vehicle--candle, matches, water, candy bars, etc.--should one get stranded. I throw one in my vehicle and leave it there all winter--experience gained from winter driving in both Colorado and Wyoming.

A 2WD Tahoe is pretty close to worthless as a winter driving vehicle. A typical front-wheel-drive car will run circles around it. AWD or 4WD is better, but none help much if the driver lacks knowledge or experience in winter driving. One of the main problems with AWD or 4WD is that it tempts people to drive faster than conditions will permit. That's why you see so many of them in the ditch.

[2bindenver]

Which year?

[DOUBLE H]

Jazzlover is right. And keep in mind as there is only the local traffic that goes through there you not only not have a lot of road maintenance people on it but also it isn't patrolled quite as much. Good point by JL about the canyon, it gets pretty slick going through there.

[boriz966]

jazlover, thanks for the info.
would having chains available, just in case, be a little helpful?
Tahoe will weighed down with ski gear and luggage.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by boriz966

jazlover, thanks for the info.
would having chains available, just in case, be a little helpful?
Tahoe will weighed down with ski gear and luggage.

Only if you know how to put them on--in crappy weather conditions. They do help immensely, but are still not a substitute for winter driving experience.

[80skeys]

It's totally do-able. You won't need to use chains. I travel on Hwy 114 a couple times each winter. Just be aware that you can expect it to have icy stretches especially in the canyons. Its a very curvy road so you'll want to take it slow. They keep it plowed but the plows push all the snow onto the shoulder so don't pull off to park because you'll get stuck - it's deeper than it looks.