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GoPackGo's avatar
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 25, 2014

Advice Please: Hwys 160 and 84 in Colorado and New Mexico

Hi everyone - I am full timing and am currently in Colorado Springs through Labor Day. I'm thinking of taking I-25 south to Walsenburg and then turning west on Hwy 160 and taking it over to 'downtown' Pagosa Springs and ultimately over to Durango (train ride time !). I would then reverse course and come back to Walsenburg to pick up I-25 to resume my travels into New Mexico, OR I might just pick up Hwy 84 in Pagosa Springs on the return trip and head down into New Mexico that way instead of going back to I-25 in Colorado.

I would probably spend 3-4 days to get over to Durango, stay a week, and then take a week getting down into New Mexico.

I am driving a 2013 diesel F350 dually and pulling a 14,000 pound 5th wheel.

I have never been in these areas before and I've never been in Colorado after about the end of August. My questions mostly concern what kind of weather I might run into during mid-September in that area. What kind of elevations will I see on Hwy 160 ? When does the weather start changing to where I need to pay attention to any freezing rain/snow warnings in the upper elevations and road passes ? If I take 84 into New Mexico, what kind of elevations and weather would I see in mid-late September ?


Last - Are 160 and 84 do-able pulling a 5th wheel ? This might sound like a dumb question , but having come down from Wyoming, there are certain roads that it's just better to skip if pulling a trailer.

Thanks in advance. I just want to know what to expect since it's getting on towards the end of summer and I know that things can change in the upper elevations pretty quickly. One of my travel rules is that I want to be out of the high areas before the weather starts changing. I lived in the Midwest for a long time and drove in lots of snow and ice. I don't want to do it any more, especially pulling a camper.

Thanks very much. I appreciate any and all comments.

Tim
Roads and Routes

5 Replies

  • SheepCamp's avatar
    SheepCamp
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    In September you might get a dusting of snow on the peaks and high passes (had a little on the La Plata's Friday evening). It will be gone by noon at that time of year. Snow that sticks really does not show up until late October or on to Thanksgiving. Any weather that may affect travel is short lived that time of year. Highway 84 is mostly low hills and border line desert. For what you describe, taking days to travel, Hwy 84 would be a great route with interesting history and scenery. Much nicer than Interstate. If time works, you can cut over to Taos on your way south. Bit of a hill, headed east on 64, but many forest service roads for camping on the east side (and only hilly highway) down to the valley and the Rio Grande Gorge bridge (565 feet high, 7th highest in US).
    Have traveled all of the SW for 35 years so questions on routes or points of interest, drop me a line
  • jrp's avatar
    jrp
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    " My questions mostly concern what kind of weather I might run into during mid-September in that area. What kind of elevations will I see on Hwy 160 ? When does the weather start changing to where I need to pay attention to any freezing rain/snow warnings in the upper elevations and road passes ? If I take 84 into New Mexico, what kind of elevations and weather would I see in mid-late September ? "

    Sept is usually still very nice weather in the area, a bit colder overnight but sunny warm days. Oct is usually the transition month to bad weather, especially at the higher elevations.
    On 160 the only high point is wolf creek pass, about 10,800. Its a serious pass but good road, just take your time going down.
    No reason to go all the way back to Walsenburg. Depending on your destination in NM either take 550 south right out of Durango or if your destination is santa fe use 84 south from pagosa. 84 from pagosa to chama goes up & down between 7000-8000, no real high pass.

    (my summer home is at the eastern base of wolf creek pass, near south fork; and I don't leave here till late Oct usually)
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Aug 25, 2014
    Wolf Creek Pass is nearly 11,000'. The Pagosa side is longer and much steeper than the east side. So traveling west bound is the easier direction. But with your rig you should have little problem either way.
    A few miles west of Walsenberg is La Veta Pass. Not nearly as bad as Wolf Creek but still a pretty good pull going westbound.
    US 160 is pretty much an RV pipeline across southern CO.
  • padredw's avatar
    padredw
    Nomad
    Aug 25, 2014
    I can't comment with confidence about the weather, though I don't think that would be a problem that early.

    But I can comment with confidence about US 160 and US 84 because I have towed a fifth-wheel several times on each of these. (All the way from Walsenburg to Durango on 160, and all the way from Pagosa Springs to Santa Fe on US 84.)I have been over Wolf Creek Pass several times each way. It is certainly a "serious" pass but I have never felt any lack of confidence in towing over it.

    As for US 84, the section between Pagosa Springs and Chama, NM is one of our favorites. There are some beautiful views, and no problems with towing.

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