Colorado Hwy 13

[bwalz]

Has anyone taken CO Hwy 13 from Rifle up to Craig in their bus> I'm wondering about switchbacks and passes on the two lane road.

[tdelorme]

Is this the one?? :eek:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/tdelorme1/BW.jpg

[bwalz]

No, that's Utah Highway 12....remember?

[Coloradobus]

bwalz,
Colorado 13 is a good road and was resurfaced a few years ago. Its 2 lanes, and very bus friendly. However, there are many oil wells along this route where you may encounter slow movingoil rig support vehicles.

[Coloradobus]

No windy turns neither

[bwalz]

Thanks for the info!!

[Danss]

How would bus do on Colorado hwy 160 from I 25 thru Montrose to Durango to Cortez? Thanks for info. Dan

[Darl-Wilson]

Dan, you're not worried about Wolf Creek Pass are you? I haven't been over it in my bus but used to drive truck over that thing coming from Monte Vista back in the early 60s. My big problem then was coming down and the horseshoe turns on the West side. Had no exhaust or Jake brakes (invented in 1961) in those years.

I don't think much has changed up there but I am sure someone has some better info than my 47-48 YO experience. It is now 4 lane and much improved (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Pass). You will be operating at about 11,000' when you reach the top.

Good Luck and let us know about the experience. For giggles go to this link for a CW McCall Song, Wolf Creek Pass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rv4Lwg8b4I)

Darl

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

How would bus do on Colorado hwy 160 from I 25 thru Montrose to Durango to Cortez? Thanks for info. Dan

Dan, Darl says you will be at 11,000 feet. Don't know how long you will be at elevations over 10,000, but read the included link and be careful.
You and Jo have fun an keep us posted on where you're located.

http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/outdoors/extreme/acutemt.html

[Darl-Wilson]

If you are coming down Hwy 550 from Montrose to Durango you will miss Wolf Creek Pass. That road is good but has a little altitude. You shouldn't have any problems except with the seasonal and perpetual road construction. You will be traveling on the west side of the continental divide. Colorado is simply a high altitude state. I lived in both Monte Vista, in the San Luis Valley, and Salida, near the head waters of the Arkansas River. Both were in a valley but the altitude was over 7,000'. Depending on the time of year you will find this a very interesting trip. As Jim wrote, be careful with this change from sea level. Shortness of breath is a common occurrence with low-landers.

Have a great trip!!

[Alan__]

I was over 160 from Durango - Pagosa Springs - Alamosa last fall and it is bus friendly. Also was on US 50 from Montrose - Gunnison - Salida last week and it is good. Both roads have high passes which will slow you down a bit but not a problem. Jake and 4th, sometimes 3rd coming down however.

[Coloradobus]

Hiway 160 from I-25 west thru Walsenberg and over La Veta Pass, and beoynd over Wolf Creek is all good road. We've taken the "H" towing a 6200 lbs chevy 4X4 duramax over Wolf Creek Pass. 2 years's ago there was some raod construction on the east side, which was a little dusty Whatever gear we go up a steep hill, we either use the same going down, or downshift one more. Whatever gear the 'JAKE" will hold the rig back without using the brakes, is the one we use. Once you get to Durango, the road is pretty much rolling to flat. After Cortez, much the same with small grades you barely notice.