s'ko Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I have some friends that I want to visit in Colorado around thanksgiving. will driving there. Per mapquest it's a 15 hour trip if I go through vegas and across mormon country. They said that I should probably do the southern route from AZ to NM and then north b/c of the mountains and possible snow. 17 hours or so trip. I am thinking "bahhh.. I have an lifted OBS" Am I being overly cocky? Should I take the southern route? Anticipate leaving 11/21 in the evening and cannonball running the entire length. Then heading out on Saturday for leisurely ride home. I will probably take the southern route home so I can stop by the Grand Canyon on the way home. BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 Thats interesting! Ill be getting into LA on Thanksgiving and heading home that day to Denver. Im going the Northern Route unless I hear of some wild snowstorm in Colorado or Utah. It isnt bad and its alot faster. Not Cocky at all until you hear of a big storm and dont change plans and even then if the storm isnt in the region between Grand Junction and Eisenhower Tunnel I wouldnt worry about it. The Southern route would still put you thru Colorado Springs and the foothill side of the rocky mountains where if theres a big winter storm it can really pound down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 keep an eye on the weather, let it make the decision for you and make your decision a few hours before you leave and you'll be golden. do not decide now. i know i'm from maryland but the same basic principles apply out here in the mountains as well (eventhough you laugh at them), but i've been in western CO before as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted October 11, 2007 Author Share Posted October 11, 2007 ShawnW said: Thats interesting! Ill be getting into LA on Thanksgiving and heading home that day to Denver. Im going the Northern Route unless I hear of some wild snowstorm in Colorado or Utah. It isnt bad and its alot faster. Not Cocky at all until you hear of a big storm and dont change plans and even then if the storm isnt in the region between Grand Junction and Eisenhower Tunnel I wouldnt worry about it. The Southern route would still put you thru Colorado Springs and the foothill side of the rocky mountains where if theres a big winter storm it can really pound down. Yeah. _____ told me you were going to be in town around that time. We can caravan back to Colorado. will send you a PM w/my number BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 Cut through Utah on I-70. It's just like driving through an old "Western Film". The scenery is amazing. Watch out for the stage coaches and cattle drives. That's where I'd go. If there is a storm in that area, it may effect the southern route too? Stay just ahead or behind the storm and you'll be fine. Go Sko! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeefaRu Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 I've done I 70 west from Denver a bunch of times to Grand Junction and beyond. The only thing that'll stop you is a significantly big storm between Vail & Georgetown, really low temps and lots of wind. In that case they'll just close Vail pass and the pass to Eisenhower tunnel. If the Vail pass and the tunnel are open, they'll just plow and sand those to death. I go up to Copper mountain every week in the winter for skiing & the majority of the time there's few problems. Just remember, those 18 wheelers have to get those loads through the mountains every day, and with a lifted outback, as long as there's no chain laws for cars (they often require chains for trucks in a bigger storm) you should be good to go, and you can do it with chains as well, but I usually don't drive if I have to deal with chains. Big LED signs give you all the latest road info right there on the highway as you're getting closer to the passes. I've breezed over vail pass with 4-5 inches on the road, and have done the pass at Eisenhower with several inches in one lane and the other full of drifting snow all without chains. Just stay in lower gears and keep the speed down. That bad night on Eisenhower was at 3 in the morning going from Winter Park to Silverthorn in a BIG snowstorm after a performance. I was driving behind my girlfriend and she breezed up Eisenhower in her legacy automatic and that was AFTER doing the pass out of winter park which can be hairy. Its amazing how well subarus do in the snow. Just to be safe, and because the snow was around 6 inches on the west side of the tunnel, we left her car at the top and drove mine into silverthorn. The snow was about 10 inches deep on the streets there but fortunately it was fluffy and powdery so the Beefaru could cruise through it & get us to her place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted November 15, 2007 Author Share Posted November 15, 2007 According to weather.com, it looks like there is going to be light snow on the 21st. (I feel pretty confident of my OBS's snow romping abilities, but I know that my wife is going to ask me if I am sure, so I am throwing it out here now.) My friend said that if it's snowing, they don't allow cars w/o chains. Do soobies get exempted b/c of they are AWD? What radio stations to I keep a track of if I am headed towards Colorado? I looked on the map and I figure that once I get past Grand Junction, I am pretty much commited to taking the 70 in all the way. Is the Rt50 to I25 any better than the rt70? it is less mountains or are they about the same. Also is there anyone I can get a hold of in the area to either check road conditions or worst case scenario roadside assistance? PM me with numbers. If there are people who are interested in getting together we can maybe do a mini-meet. Thanks. BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeefaRu Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 s said: According to weather.com' date=' it looks like there is going to be light snow on the 21st. (I feel pretty confident of my OBS's snow romping abilities, but I know that my wife is going to ask me if I am sure, so I am throwing it out here now.)My friend said that if it's snowing, they don't allow cars w/o chains. Do soobies get exempted b/c of they are AWD? What radio stations to I keep a track of if I am headed towards Colorado? I looked on the map and I figure that once I get past Grand Junction, I am pretty much commited to taking the 70 in all the way. Is the Rt50 to I25 any better than the rt70? it is less mountains or are they about the same. Also is there anyone I can get a hold of in the area to either check road conditions or worst case scenario roadside assistance? PM me with numbers. If there are people who are interested in getting together we can maybe do a mini-meet. Thanks. BW[/quote'] 1. You don't need chains and they're not required unless its really bad. They'll require 18wheelers chain up long before cars have to. There's no chains in my post above. 2. You're not committed after Grand Junction. You can stop in a bunch of towns along the way. I'd recommend at least a pause in Glenwood Springs for fun - there's hot springs, vapor caves and stuff to see. 3. Road signs will post which weather station to tune into. 27 years of living here & I've never done it....ha ha. 4. I might have time for a mini-meet. If you're looking for some fun, I'm performing at a wine bar on the 23rd and a Celtic pub on the 24th. I'll PM my # if you need to call. --E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Well made it back last night at 12:00. The trip was basically LA to Denver, Denver to Moab/Arches to Cameron/Grand Canyon. Then Cameron to LA. No major problems with the wagon. Temp gauge stayed in the sweet spot the entire time. This was the first major road trip that I have taken it on so I was alittle wary at first. Meet up with Marshal at MWE for some axles and with Beefaru. BTW you Denver guys should go hear this guy sing. Eric maybe you can head up to WCSS10 and perform. I would be willing to pay to hear your entire set. The only major setback was a speeding ticket in Monticello UT. BTW if you are ever headed through RT89 and the speed changes from 65-45-30. You'd better slow down. Those guys were out in force Saturday night. They probably make all of their revenue from speeding tickets. That's why they can afford those new dodge charger police cars. Overall it was a great trip. BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 here are some pictures of the OBS in Arizona canyon county. BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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