I will be driving from the Great Sand Dunes to Durango on October 31st. Is highway 160 a major highway? Do they ever close this highway? I have to go over Wolfcreek Pass which is 10,850 ft. Does this highway have guard rails? I am concerned about driving conditions. Should I wait for another time of year to drive this? Please advise me what the driving is like between these 2 destinations. Thanks!
Driving from Great Sand Dunes to Durango
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Highway 160 is a main thoroughfare, but not a major"highway" It is probably two lanes, with a passing lane, most of the way. It may be four lanes in parts. I know there has been road construction along the road to improve it. I'm am sure they would close the road in dangerous conditions. But, for the most part, the road remains open all year. I doubt there are guardrails over Wolf Creek Pass. They only placed them in really dangerous places. I don't think you have to wait for another time of the year for the trip. There could be snow, or there might not be. Can you wait to decide when you arrive? Then, you will know if there is a snowstorm going on.
Hi Alfreda. I think the route you describe is about it. I have never drive the route in October, but it can snow or hail or sleet just about anytime at the upper elevations. You just go until is isn't safe because mountain weather cannot be predicted!! At least not well.
As for Wolf Creek Pass, not to worry.
My wife drove over the first time in 1965, white knuckled all the way.
She drove over it again in 1969, after considerably more experience. As she was driving up Wolf Creek Pass in '69, she kept saying to me "When we get to Wolf Creek Pass, I will let you drive." I kept quiet, because when she said that she was already going up it, east to west.
We got to a wide spot, which was at the crest of the ridge, and she pulled over and said "You take it over the pass."
I said, "Well you are sitting on top of it now." I had a little convincing to do to make her believe that the 1965 mountain had shrunk dramatically with a little experience under her belt and that she had actually driven up Wolf Creek Pass without even knowing it.
The experience served her well because two years ago she took a car over the Grimsel Pass in Switzerland which is a considerable jump. She also has done Loveland Pass as well, with the pedal to the metal!! For a person who used to drive like your Great Aunt Sarah she suddenly turned into Janet Guthrie -- a woman racing car driver. Now that she has a V6 Camry she has attracted quite a following. Some of them are these funny black and white cars with flashing blue lights.