Durango to Angel Fire

Another update...

Just returned from a 4 day run up to visit our friends in Angel Fire. The major renovation/improvement of the 64 east from the top the grade down to Ange Fire is underway in a big way. They have linked traffic lights installed at the top and bottom of the grade along with the use of a pilot Car through what constitutes the construction zone.

Going in we hit it lucky and waited about 20 seconds at the top the grade for the next batch to descend but leaving we sat for 18 minutes waiting for the Pilot Car to escort us up and over the pass.

Iironically the bad news {being the extensive work in progress} also has a a bit of good news...
Getting back to the OP {with a 60ish' rig } you could probably easily make the descent without having to breack your toad. As you can see from the pics the orange barrels are placed about 3' into what was once the original lane making the one and only remaining lane that much wider. Add in the fact that there can be no oncoming traffic and even while the work continues the road is actually more passable {albeit with potential wait of zero to 20+ minutes}.

The other bad news is this is a very large/ambitious project that is likely to last into the end of the year but... given how early and the vengeance with which winter is likely to hit this 9,000'+ pass completion much before spring of 2024 is a very real possibility.

Here are a few pics...

Waiting for the pilot car and the requisite green light 0700 this morning:



Pushing the mountain back for the lane expansion:



Another shot:







:C

I will be driving to Angel Fire next week and just got a call from my friend who lives there. They have commenced major renovation of the 64 from the top of the pass down into AF... that is the good news and when it is complete the road will have been substantially widened making for an easier/safer trip.

The bad news is that it is now down to one lane led by a pilot car due to the massive amount of trees, boulders and debris they are having to remove and then comes new paving. Reportedly you can expect to sit for 20 to 30minutes traveling either direction.

You can skip the construction zone by going north through Taos and up to Questa and taking 38 east through Red River and then down to the 64 at Eagle Nest and on into AF. This will add about an hour but if you prefer to keep moving it is a gorgeous drive through the northern section of the "Enchanted Circle".

If you go through Red River consider a stop at Shotgun Willies for their smoked Brisket breakfast burrito smothered in warm Hatch green chili sauce. Looking forward to another visit next week. Also the Red River brewery is awesome and both are right on the main street on the south side -west end of town.

:C

OP, I have driven the Taos to Angel Fire stretch of 64 dozens of times in all sorts of weather {we he have friends who have a beautiful home in AF and we visit several times a year}. I am guessing your rig is easily 60'.

Do everyone a favor and disconnect your Tahoe Toad at the top of the grade {there is plenty of room to do so in a large parking area on your left} and have someone else drive it separately before starting your final descent down into Angel Fire. The last few miles after you top out and start your descent into AF are VERY tight/twisty and it will be impossible to keep 60' of rig in your narrow single lane.

Anyone coming up and out of AF that encounters you coming down will be screwed if you are a single foot over the double yellow {there is no, zip, nada shoulder for most off the descent}. As the descending vehicle you will NOT have the right of way and would have to back up {which we all know is virtually impossibl with the Toad connected} until the ascending vehicle can gain clearance and you can get your rig back in your lane. Double yellow lines are inviolate.

I have encountered rigs much smaller than the OP's 2- 4'over the double yellow several times. When I was on my motorcycle I got by OK but climbing out of AF in our 24' Class C towing a 10 cargo trailer {37' overall} it was a whole different event as I needed ALL of my lane.

You will see lots of very large rigs in the Angel Fire RV Resort {a very nice facility BTW} but I can assure you a lot of them were way over the double yellow coming down and just got very
lucky.

:S

HHg in Austin wrote:

oldave wrote:
If you like scenic old steam trains, ride the one in Durango and then the one in
Chama N Mex. Spectacular scenery on both.

We typically spend about a month every year in Durango….we’ve ridden the train to Silverton, to Cascade Canyon and even ridden it for the Polar Express (grandchildren) during December when we stay in Durango for Christmas.

Might try the one in Chama….thanks!

If you ride the Cumbres & Toltec Steam train (Chama/Antonito) I suggest you ride the train between Antonito and Chama and the bus between Chama and Antonito. From Antonito the trail begins in the high dry plateau and gradually climbs up into and thru the mountain passes and alpine valleys giving a dramatic change in environment and climate culminating in Chama. The reverse path ends somewhat less inspiring in the dry less scenic country. You can book the trip either way from either end. Either way it is a great ride.

64 from Taos to Angel Fire is twisted and narrow but if you take it easy is no problem enjoy it.

southernsky wrote:
The road from Taos to Angel Fire is narrow and curvy but doable. How's your mountain driving skills?

Pretty solid, I’ve been over the Rockies at least 8-9 times, the Smokies twice. Just wasn’t sure what it was like going to Eagles Nest from Durango….

oldave wrote:
If you like scenic old steam trains, ride the one in Durango and then the one in
Chama N Mex. Spectacular scenery on both.

We typically spend about a month every year in Durango….we’ve ridden the train to Silverton, to Cascade Canyon and even ridden it for the Polar Express (grandchildren) during December when we stay in Durango for Christmas.

Might try the one in Chama….thanks!

The road from Taos to Angel Fire is narrow and curvy but doable. How's your mountain driving skills?

If you like scenic old steam trains, ride the one in Durango and then the one in
Chama N Mex. Spectacular scenery on both.

Thank-you both!! I’ll book my reservations tomorrow!