I-70 Colorado Winter Experiences?

I drive up the hill....I drive down the hill.

Sometimes it easier than others but it's never really a big deal.

 

If your a driver you can't go out expecting everyday to sunny and 80 degrees. You just trust your instincts about things. If the road seems too bad and you don't think it's safe for you to be on the road, you go somewhere safe off the road and wait it out. Most of the time it isn't that bad and just drive how the conditions will let you.

Can't be scared. A scared driver is a road hazard if you ask me. As for my #1 concern, it isn't much my safety as I think about hurting someone else more.

I was in a complete white out one time and could see about 5 feet in front of my truck, I kept my trailer tandems on the rumble strips so I could feel/hear where the road was.

 

I would much rather drive the mountains of I-70 than the plains of I-70. Colorado does a heck of a lot better job of keeping the road in good condition west of Denver, than east of Denver. I've never been held up more than a couple of hours between Grand Junction and Denver.

But I spent two days at The Tomahawk in Watkins because the CDOT couldn't keep up with the ground blizzard. That was before Thanksgiving in '97 or '98.

 

i worry more about the others on the road. especially those in the passenger vehicles. i always seem to get far behind one that is clogging the left lane, not passing anybody, refusing the move the hell over. drivers like that irritate me.

 

We are more comfortable because weve experienced all kinds of conditions and know what to do and what not to do in each situation. Though, there will always be the ones who will never learn, and they are usually found behind a wrecker.
It was my second month of driving before I went over I70 in CO. It was January of 2008. I just prepared myself by figuring out what I had to do in order to keep it on the road. It was a smooth ride and was glad to experience the mountains in the winter time.
Like many have said, my number 1 concern too, was the other drivers on the road.
I know when conditions are too bad when I dont feel safe. Its a feeling one gets. Not deeming it unsafe by what the weather service says, by other vehicles spun out on the road, ect.. Their abilities might be different than mine, and what I can drive in, they may not be able to and vise versa. When I get that feeling, Ill park it.

 

I've driven I-70 over those mtn's in dry, wet, snow, slush, rain, ice, and strong winds. You put the truck in gear, release the brakes, say a quick pray, hit the throttle and grab another gear. They are not for the weak of heart in the winter time, you just have to pay attention to what your doing and what the traffic is doing. You definetly want to know your turck and what's going on with it.

 

True that.....If you want an adventure.....take the 160 to Pagosa Springs or take Co 17 through La Managa Pass...........the last one I did by mistake off the 285...saved me about a half hour...but a windy sob that hwy is.....

 

I've been on both at one time or another...550 from Montrose to Durango is a treat in the winter time as well...Been across that quite a few times.

 

There was actually a song written about "Wolf Creek Pass." I used to run that way quite often. I took that 17 down to Chama one time too. Didn't think it was too bad.

You didn't do that with a 53 did you? Red Mountain Pass can be interesting.