| Rain Man |
01-28-2007 07:14 PM |
I've driven those roads before, and for the most part they're pretty typical two-lane highways. I could be wrong, but I don't recall any particularly treacherous mountain roads along that path. I think most of it is high plateau. If you're driving in good weather, they're typical 55 to 65 mph roads.
The key variables are the weather, the traffic, and any particularly high passes.
Weather: In bad weather, it's going to be like any other two-lane road: slow going. I'm sure there are a few scary slopes and stuff, but overall I don't recall it being that bad. Keep in mind, though, that bad weather in a place like Leadville is possible about eight months out of the year. However, the roads are generally pretty good, so it's not an enormous issue unless you happen to drive into a big storm and/or don't know how to drive in snow.
Traffic: I think this road is better than a lot of mountain roads, but at the same time, if you get stuck behind a slow truck, you're screwed. I don't remember if those roads have occasional passing lanes, but it's not uncommon to see a third lane added on long uphill stretches on a lot of these roads.
Passes: The maps show a couple of passes, but they're not particularly high - Tennessee Pass is at 10,400 feet and Battle Hill Summit is at 9,200. Anything above 11,000 can be problematic with snow and slick conditions even in the summer. Tennessee Pass is kind of high, but I don't recall that either of these passes is particularly treacherous, though I think I've only driven Tennessee Pass once or twice, and never in bad weather. I don't remember it scaring me like some other roads, though.
Having said all of this, keep in mind that at 10,000 feet, bad weather can get pretty bad. However, I vaguely think of this as one of the tamest of the mountain highways.
Oh, and as an aside, don't get the bright idea to take the highway from Leadville to Aspen unless it's June. That road goes over a very high pass, and even though it looks like a nice highway, it's closed for a good chunk of the year. I learned that one the hard way once.
If you really want a scary driving experience, go to southwest Colorado and drive from Durango to Silverton. Holy mother of god. I did that once in October when it was snowing. Never again. Imagine trying to pull an outside turn when there's no guardrail, a 12-inch shoulder, and a Wile E. Coyote drop next to it. In the snow. That's some heartpounding adventure right there.
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