I'm planning next summers trip and would like road info for State route 17 from Chama to Antonito, 285 to Alamosa, and 160 into Walsenburg. Big class C towing a trailer and wondered how the road is. I see a couple of switch backs on 17 out of Chama but can't really tell about the climbs and passes. Don't have my western mountain directory yet. Any information would be helpful. Thanks everyone.Dave

Have you looked at the route with Google Maps? With terrain mode on you can see where the mountains are, and even estimate grades. But more importantly you can zoom in to see all the curves, and in Streetview get a cab-eye view. I see one full pair of 180deg loops, but in Streetview they don't look any tighter than a freeway interchange loop. Streetview also lets you check for baby buggy bumpers that will make sure your RV flips when you drive off the road.

paulj wrote:Have you looked the route with Google Maps? With terrain mode on you can see where the mountains are, and even estimate grades. But more importantly you can zoom in to see all the curves, and in Streetview get a cab-eye view. I see one full pair of 180deg loops, but in Streetview they don't look any tighter than a freeway interchange loop. Streetview also lets you check for baby buggy bumpers that will make sure your RV flips when you drive off the road. Hadn't tried terrain mode. Didn't know it would do that. Looks pretty good most of the way. Wonder how the road surface will be by then since winter usually tears it up. thanks a lot for the info and google maps lesson!Dave

We have friends that travel that way each year leaving the DFW metroplex area going to Pagosa Springs. They have a Class C motor home and tow their car. They've never had an issue, but just be aware there is nothing out that way.

I too way just looking at 17 where the loopback is at on GOOGLE EARTH. Doesn't look all that bad to me as well... There is actually a RV in the photo view not too far from the loopback... There is only one loopback to deal with - Even at a crawl would not take very long to get past it...You can check in with NM DOT to road conditions on-lineAlso going south through BRAZOS and picking up US64 and then head up to CO using US285 would be a way to bypass the loopbacks...Since it is not very far away from Chama why not take a side trip without the RV and see for yourself...Is there a Truck Stop at Chama... Just my thoughtsRoy Ken

It is not a difficult drive at all, as Colorado roads/passes in the mountains go. There's actually 2 passes along the CO/NM border, Cumbres Pass and La Manga Pass. These passes are open all season, CDOT does a good job keeping them open and maintained, should not be any significant roadway surface/pavement issues to speak of. Great photo ops for the Cumbres and Toltec RR trains at the top of Cumbres pass if you time it right. Once over both passes there's a drop down to a valley and then valley driving all the way in to Antonito, a really beautiful drive, going from mountains to high desert. Antonito to Alamosa via US 285 is flat with great views of the San Luis Valley. From Alamosa to Walsenburg via US 160, you have N La Veta Pass, which is also not a difficult pass, and RVers and truckers use it all the time.

Chama, NM to Walsenburg, CO | Good Sam Community

paulj
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
Have you looked at the route with Google Maps? With terrain mode on you can see where the mountains are, and even estimate grades. But more importantly you can zoom in to see all the curves, and in Streetview get a cab-eye view.

I see one full pair of 180deg loops, but in Streetview they don't look any tighter than a freeway interchange loop. Streetview also lets you check for baby buggy bumpers that will make sure your RV flips when you drive off the road.
harley-dave
Explorer
Dec 12, 2016
paulj wrote:
Have you looked the route with Google Maps? With terrain mode on you can see where the mountains are, and even estimate grades. But more importantly you can zoom in to see all the curves, and in Streetview get a cab-eye view.

I see one full pair of 180deg loops, but in Streetview they don't look any tighter than a freeway interchange loop. Streetview also lets you check for baby buggy bumpers that will make sure your RV flips when you drive off the road.
Hadn't tried terrain mode. Didn't know it would do that. Looks pretty good most of the way. Wonder how the road surface will be by then since winter usually tears it up. thanks a lot for the info and google maps lesson!

Dave
Home_on_Wheels
Explorer
Dec 12, 2016
We have friends that travel that way each year leaving the DFW metroplex area going to Pagosa Springs. They have a Class C motor home and tow their car. They've never had an issue, but just be aware there is nothing out that way.
RoyB
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
I too way just looking at 17 where the loopback is at on GOOGLE EARTH. Doesn't look all that bad to me as well... There is actually a RV in the photo view not too far from the loopback...

There is only one loopback to deal with - Even at a crawl would not take very long to get past it...

You can check in with NM DOT to road conditions on-line

Also going south through BRAZOS and picking up US64 and then head up to CO using US285 would be a way to bypass the loopbacks...

Since it is not very far away from Chama why not take a side trip without the RV and see for yourself...

Is there a Truck Stop at Chama...

Just my thoughts

Roy Ken
Thom02099
Explorer II
Dec 12, 2016
It is not a difficult drive at all, as Colorado roads/passes in the mountains go. There's actually 2 passes along the CO/NM border, Cumbres Pass and La Manga Pass. These passes are open all season, CDOT does a good job keeping them open and maintained, should not be any significant roadway surface/pavement issues to speak of.

Great photo ops for the Cumbres and Toltec RR trains at the top of Cumbres pass if you time it right. Once over both passes there's a drop down to a valley and then valley driving all the way in to Antonito, a really beautiful drive, going from mountains to high desert. Antonito to Alamosa via US 285 is flat with great views of the San Luis Valley. From Alamosa to Walsenburg via US 160, you have N La Veta Pass, which is also not a difficult pass, and RVers and truckers use it all the time.
BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 12, 2016
We have not driven 17, but did ride the Cumbres & Toltec steam railroad several years ago. The rail crosses and/or parallels part of 17 along the way. The road looked to be a good road then. There appeared to be one fairly steep climb soon after heading out of Chama when crossing Wolf Creek, but not for an overly long distance. Don't know about the road grades near the passes.

But as Thom02099 said, 285 to Alamosa and 160 to Walsenburg are both good highways. On 160 heading toward Walsenburg you will cross North La Veta pass. Not particularly steep going up eastbound, but steeper going back down. Just watch your speed going down and it will be no problem.
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Dec 12, 2016
I've driven the pickup several times thru there on Hwy 17. Would not deter me from pulling the rv from Chama to Antonito, going either way.
Buses, haul people both ways everyday during the summer train season.
Pat
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2016
I answered in your other post on another forum but there are YouTube videos that you can watch to drive the whole route. There are no issues with the highway for RVers.
harley-dave
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
thanks all for the information. Wife was very concerned since traveling in the mountains with the RV makes her nervous.

Dave
cruiserjs
Explorer
Dec 13, 2016
That is one of our all-time favorite routes. Have pulled fivers both ways a couple of times, plus road the train both ways once. Lovely road and pretty easy passes (compared to most in Colorado). Time your trip to get pictures of the train passing by - several good viewpoints for this.