User Content > Road Trips
US 160, end-to-end?
Mapmikey:
--- Quote from: hbelkins on November 30, 2021, 06:52:45 PM ---Since there's a possibility that I will be tagging along with my brother when he goes on a six-night hiking/camping trip to the Grand Canyon at the end of February, and I'll be looking for something to do those days, I'm looking at the possibility of coming back east on US 160 and then beating a path back to Arizona in time to pick him up.
It looks like there would be three nine-hour days involved on the trip east -- Grand Canyon Village to Trinidad, Co.; Trinidad to Independence, Kan.; and Independence to Poplar Bluff. At least the days will be getting longer then so I will have more daylight than I would if I tried to do such a trip now.
My biggest concern would be winter weather across the mountains in Colorado. I'd hate to get to Durango and find out I wouldn't be able to get across to the I-25 corridor, and could have used that day for other travel purposes.
I'd also be looking at some other option for the return west, since we'll be going to Arizona by way of I-44 and I-40. I don't see any way I could finish US 60 in its entirety (I need from near the MO-OK line to the western terminus to clinch it) but I wouldn't want to have to take a route I'd already been on (although if I did try to clinch US 60, I know there's no better option than US 60 back west across Missouri.
Thoughts on a west-to-east trip on US 160 in late February?
--- End quote ---
A suggestion re: US 60 and US 160 - Why not try to grab the easternmost portions of those routes on your initial trip out and your trip back home?
For instance use US 60 to I-44 or even Amarillo. For US 160, maybe from I-44. Then you might be able to do a loop on your own of US 160 east and US 60 back west and with a day or more saved by not having to go nearly all the way back to Kentucky, you might be able to get US 60 all the way to the west terminus.
A practical reason to do this would be in case your brother has to exit the canyon early and you wouldn't get as far away...
thenetwork:
CDOT does a pretty good job keeping the snow and ice off the east-west mountain roads as fast as possible after a storm, as that is what connects the front range with the western part of the state.
That being said, CDOT also likes to place driving restrictions on said roads while they are plowing and sanding. Usually it requires ALL vehicles to have tires that are snow/mud rated, 4WD, or chains/tire socks on their tires With substantial tread depth within the restricted areas.
If you ignore the restrictions and find yourself stuck on the roadway impeding traffic, or are involved in an accident due to not having the proper tire requirements, the fines can be hefty.
Cotrip.org has more info on those restrictions/ requirements on its website.
Not trying to put the scare on you, but see if your rental car company has snow tires and/or chains as options for the choice of vehicle. Or purchase chains/tire socks before you go and if you don't use them, you might be able to return them when you get back and get your $$ back.
If you are looking for different return routes, you could try US‐84 West to its Western terminus in Pagosa Springs, and do a short double back on US-160 to either CO‐151 or US-550 down towards US-64 IN New Mexico. There is boku weird signage everywhere in Farmington and along 64 that will keep you busy.
thenetwork:
CDOT does a pretty good job getting the snow and ice off the east-west mountain roads as fast as possible after a storm, as that is what connects the front range with the western part of the state.
That being said, CDOT also likes to place driving restrictions on said roads while they are plowing and sanding. Usually it requires ALL vehicles to have tires that are snow/mud rated, 4WD, or chains/tire socks on their tires With substantial tread depth within the restricted areas.
If you ignore the restrictions and find yourself stuck on the roadway impeding traffic, or are involved in an accident due to not having the proper tire requirements, the fines can be hefty.
Cotrip.org has more info on those restrictions/ requirements on its website.
Not trying to put the scare on you, but see if your rental car company has snow tires and/or chains as options for the choice of vehicle. Or purchase chains/tire socks before you go and if you don't use them, you might be able to return them when you get back and get your $$ back.
If you are looking for different return routes, you could try US‐84 West to its Western terminus in Pagosa Springs, take a short double back on US-160, and either take CO‐151 or US-550 down towards US-64 IN New Mexico.
There is boku weird signage everywhere in Farmington and along 64 that will keep you busy.
hbelkins:
Not sure if I'd be driving my brother's truck (4x4 Nissan) or something I'd rent in Flagstaff. I have looked into SUV rental prices and as of now, they're like $400 or more for that week.
--- Quote from: Mapmikey on November 30, 2021, 08:07:19 PM ---A suggestion re: US 60 and US 160 - Why not try to grab the easternmost portions of those routes on your initial trip out and your trip back home?
--- End quote ---
One reason is that he's driving and will be looking to make the best time possible westward. And after he's done at Grand Canyon, we plan to do the White Rim Road in Canyonlands.
One advantage of making the trip from west to east is that I already have US 160 between US 63 and US 67, so I wouldn't have to drive that route again, although I must admit part of the charm is in driving the whole route end-to-end in one sitting.
But the whole idea of me going along may be on hold now. Our dog was diagnosed with lymphoma yesterday and her health may determine whether or not I leave home for an extended period with no way to get back quickly if something happens.
hbelkins:
Bumping because the opportunity may arise again, as discussed here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=32411.0;topicseen
Would like to reopen for discussion/suggestions.
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