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Diannat60's avatar
Diannat60
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016

Hwy. 160 in Colorado

How are the grades on Hwy 160 from Walsenburg and Alamosa? First time pulling a fifth wheel.
  • You will cross north La Veta Pass at about 9,400 ft. A fairly long, sometimes a little steep, climb traveling west, but nothing to be particularly concerned about. And a little winding, but again not bad. If your truck has adequate power for your trailer, you will have no problem. Good highway with two lanes going up so you can stay right and take your time and not hold up traffic. Going down the west side is not as steep.

    We have towed our 35' 5er over it many times. And we are flatlanders like you.
  • This is one of the easiest passes in Colo. The hwy is in great shape and is plenty wide with passing lanes. There are many pullouts if you need to cool off. Scenery is not bad, either.
  • BB_TX wrote:
    You will cross north La Veta Pass at about 9,400 ft. A fairly long, sometimes a little steep, climb traveling west, but nothing to be particularly concerned about. And a little winding, but again not bad. If your truck has adequate power for your trailer, you will have no problem. Good highway with two lanes going up so you can stay right and take your time and not hold up traffic. Going down the west side is not as steep.

    We have towed our 35' 5er over it many times. And we are flatlanders like you.


    Thanks!!! I don't like Monarch Pass.
  • I should have ask. Is Alamosa your destination? Or are you continuing west on 160? If going very far west then you will hit Wolf Creek pass. That one is considerably higher.
  • IDman wrote:
    This is one of the easiest passes in Colo. The hwy is in great shape and is plenty wide with passing lanes. There are many pullouts if you need to cool off. Scenery is not bad, either.


    X2. We have traveled that twice since 2012 with current rig and as far as passes go it is mild. Use good judgment as you'll be fine.
    Greg dba Chef
  • If you don't like Monarch Pass you probably won't like Wolf Creek Pass. Both are major passes in Colorado but I give Monarch just a rating of a teeny bit easier. We just came over Wolf Creek in July and did not have a moment's trouble. Both Monarch and Wolf Creek have been greatly improved and have many opportunities for faster traffic to pass. I consider them routine. LaVeta is not a major pass in my experience.