Traveling Colorado in November
Will be heading home to MA from Moab the 1st of November, do I need to have a 2nd southern route planned in case of snow? As in Albuquerque instead of Denver?
Forum Discussion
Padlin wrote:
I need to carry chains, seriously? Never gave that a thought.
I'm in no hurry, a 2 or 3 day layover isn't a bad thing as long as it's not in a WM parking lot. But figuring we'll be through the Rockies in a day from Moab, I can think of worse placed to get stuck in then Moab. Of course we've never seen NM, so taking a ride down that way wouldn't be a bad thing either.
Busskipper, we'll be in RMNP for a week mid Sept, then another around Salida after that. Hopefully we get lucky and catch the Aspens.Busskipper, we'll be in RMNP for a week mid Sept, then another around Salida after that. Hopefully we get lucky and catch the Aspens.
Not only will you likely be at prime Aspen time, but the elk will be bugling in RMNP, and Moraine Park will become a very busy place, with end of season campers and day trippers to see the elk and colours.
Regarding your November plans, while November is traditionally the 2nd snowiest month along the Front Range and eastern plains, there are also Novembers when we get nothing here. The mountains can get snows any month. If it were me, I wouldn't change my plans per se, but have an alternative "just in case". A compromise could be to take a route across southern Colorado; you could go south from Moab to US 491, to US 160 in Cortez, and take that all the way across. Only pass of any consequence would be Wolf Creek, and it's well plowed during the snow season. And if necessary, you could stop somewhere and ride out any storms.
Places to stay are another matter. Most campgrounds/RV Resorts will be closed in November, all over the state, with very few exceptions.
