Question about my trip through Denver

live in colorado,as for the pass'es in co. go off any of them with caution if you don't know them,I went off monarch once with a four wheeler passing me in a semi,his front rotors were red hot,he didn't even letoff just kept going,I said to myself,self if he has to stop he's in deep **** t,it must have turned out ok ,he wasn't at the bottom when I got there,have a good dayseeya.

 

Being as how you are from Minnesota you are used to driving on ice and snow. So the big thing here are the grades. They should not be a problem as long as you use common sense and sort of follow with what other traffic is doing.

You will always have a few "hot dogs" that are going to be driving over their heads on these passes, but most of the folks who drive them value their lives at least a little. CDOT does a very good job on keeping the roads open in the mountains. Actually much better than the do out on the eastern plains.

One thing to keep in mind, if you find yourself leaving Denver in the early morning hours is that if the weather is bad, you will be better off to delay for a while. Give them a chance to get the roads plowed and sanded.

Enjoy some of the most beautiful country in the USA on this trip!

 

Maybe you ought to try other, less vertically challenged route? I once moved the other way around, from California to MN. Went through Denver too, but not in winter. But I doubt it'll be that bad most of the time. If it is (run into a blizzard or something), just stop and wait it out.

 

Well it depends on where you are going in CA. My wife and I moved from Fargo to Vegas, and then from Vegas to Austin, MN. On the westward trip, we went on 70, but we saved lots of fuel in the rental truck on the way back east going down across arizona.
They do try to keep 70 open at all times, but it does close down if the weather gets bad. Its a beautiful drive and I suggest taking it during the day to see the mountains. Just keep a good speed and you will be ok.

 

The chain laws actually do apply to four-wheelers as well as the eighteen. The law for cars reads chains or adequate snow tires. If you get stuck and block traffic when the chain laws are in effect, you will get an expensive ticket - car or big truck, and in really adverse conditions, you may not be allowed on the roads. Do check with the state patrol on road conditions, and make sure that you have blankets, food and water in the car in case you get stuck. It's not uncommon for stretches on I70 like Vail pass or the approaches to the Eisenhower tunnel to be closed for long periods for snow removal and avalanches. Coming down Mt. Vernon Canyon (Evergreen - Denver) realize that it is a very long grade, with a flat section in the middle. Watch your speed, and there is a very sharp turn at the bottom - we call it "dead man's curve." Oh yes, on Sunday's plan on a very slow trip... it's clogged with skiiers!

Check online - google Denver - for "must see places". It's really a very cosmopolitan place anymore, so there's something for everyone - just depends on your interests.

Ironpony