I-70 closure in Colorado

Here is a unique look at where it all came from

 

There appears to still be alot of material ready too come down... I'm betting this will continue to happen with major rain events in the future, especially with a fresh wash having destabilized the bottom of that draw.

 

Independence Pass, what a freakin' joke, matter of fact, there's nothing funny about it. and a classic example of CDOT with their heads where the sun doesn't shine. Being a dirt eatin' farmboy from flatland Wisconsin, we just don't have mountain roads to contend with, but on a ride to Rifle, instead of going the Leadville/Minturn route, ( Hy. 24)which IS a truck route but won't get you around the canyon closure, and open all year, I looked at the map, hmm, this Independence Pass seems to cut a whole corner off,,,NOT. 1st, there are signs that indicate 30ft. length max, and is strictly enforced, 2nd, that has to be the most dangerous road I've ever been on, right out of Peru, single lane in spots, with no guardrail, and a 500ft drop, and it's busy. 2 vehicles can't fit, and someone has to back up, causing even more chaos. Most are curious travelers with their RV's.Then, if you DO make it, it plops you right in the middle of Aspen and what a mess THAT is. I tell you, Colorado, I've found, has the absolute worst roads for the amount of volume. It's as if they have their head in the sand as to how many people this area attracts. Independence Pass, 3 lane highways, truck runaway ramps just past a 35 mph curve( Monarch Pass) and that's just in my area.
We've been getting a lot of rain in spots, causing rock slides in Glenwood Canyon closing I-70, and the only way around it, is going south to hit Hy. 50 west to Grand Junction. I swear, these yuppie tree huggers here better start investing their dope money ( almost $300 mil/year) into their roads and not police cruisers ( that sit) and rescue apparatus to pick up these idiots that wander off into the hills wasted,,color me not happy with Colorado. Give me Michigan anyday,,,

 

What about US40, as an alternative??? I've run it before and its a pretty decent road.

 

I came down from Cheyenne thru Denver headed for Topeka. US 40 is the suggested route on the overhead signs all the way down. The signs say it's a 4+ hour drive right now

 

Yeah never mind... If that is the suggested detour then there is no way in hell I'd take it, at least not in the day light. It's a nice drive when theres not any traffic, but it would be a nightmare with most of the I-70 traffic detoured to it.

 

Yeah, Independence pass is really only fun on two wheels. I've done it in a motorhome that was barely legal and still remember the roller coaster ride.

 

I went through on Tues 7/27 after the first slide when they were still cleaning up. You could see where the mud and debris came down the mountainside and went across I-70. In Utah, between Salina and the turn-off for Moab, a flash flood went across I-70, also. They must have gotten some heavy downpours for that to happen. That would be a scary thing to drive into at nighttime. Not something you would expect on an interstate.