Black Canyon and Montrose, CO

[quick503]

Thinking about a trip back through Montrose via Black Canyon in early Dec. I like snow but not on the road. Is this area  generally passable or should I wait for summer? I don't mind the cold but don't want to get stuck waiting for the roads to clear. Thoughts?

[Thundergod]

if it is clear it will be sandy now....the trucks have already been out. I would imagine snow on the ground which leads to snow melt/ice slicks in the shadows of downhill corners.
If you do ride, ride slowly.

And be prepared for bitter cold.

[jvick98]

First, getting to Black Canyon from the East is unlikely, 11,312 elevation and it is snowing there as we speak.  Most, if not all, Colorado mountain passes are snow covered most of the time now, you just have to check for current conditions shortly before you intend to use them.  Cotrip.org.

Jim

[quick503]

I was afraid of that. Very inconvenient of them to have snow in the winter.   Still what an adventure that would be!

[Justin]

December is really iffy for any high elevation areas in the west. The Gunnison valley is one of the coldest areas in the country as well. But it can be done. I've ridden all over the state in the winter myself, you just need to accept there will be sand, there will be ice and packed snow in spots, and you can run into any kind of weather. I got caught in a snow storm on Molas and Coal Bank passes a number of years ago.. was the longest 15 miles I've ever ridden lol.

But if you do come out, feel free to send me a message, I'd be happy to play tour guide for a day

[birdrunner]

Another thing that you might not realize is that the amount of traction a sport touring type tire gives drops DRASTICALLY in cold temperatures.

I still remember skidding through a stop sign that I'd ridden through all summer.  

[Gun Slinger]

Yea... you would really be lucky to make it over any of the passes right now or any time till say May.
Weather just changes so fast and it can go from 45° and sunny... to 25° and blizzard conditions in an hour.
Just too late in the year to recommend to anyone to ride around here. I'll ride all winter long but not much more than 20-30 miles at a time and only down in the Grand Valley.  Too many of the great roads on the western slope have turns and twists that won't see daylight for the next 4 months. Just asking for trouble if you were to try it.

[Justin]

Yea... you would really be lucky to make it over any of the passes right now or any time till say May.

I wouldn't go that far, with planning, close watch on the weather and just adjusting your riding to the conditions, you can hit passes all year. And it really depends on the year as well.

Gore pass December



Berthoud Pass, December



La Veta Pass, January



Poncha Pass, January

[Gun Slinger]

  To Justin... you are definitely worthy of the respect for riding any distance in those months in our state. If your doing any touring in my neck of the woods (Grand Junction) send out a P.M. I'm sure I could learn a few things from a guy that rides the Rockies this time of year. My only downfall right now is I don't have any heated gear

Like I said I'll ride all winter... and I can play the game of watching the weather and hitting the roads when I know they are clear and haven't had a storm for a week or two in a specific area... I just wouldn't recommend it to someone from a 1000 miles away and close to sea level to come up here without having a good backup plan or a good local contact to provide support. Not that it can't be done... I just see too much of a chance for someone to get here after all that Distance to get caught in a storm and have to go home defeated again. I've seen it dump 12" in July and close I-70 down for a day too.

[quick503]

You wouldn't believe how much I want to head that way in Dec, but like I told Justin, I love a challenge but I want the odds in my favor. So as much as it pains me I think I'll head north then east. Maybe follow the Natchez Trace to TN. Of course it could snow or freeze there too in which case I'll head south. I'll save riding Black Canyon again for fall 2011.

[Justin]

  To Justin... you are definitely worthy of the respect for riding any distance in those months in our state. If your doing any touring in my neck of the woods (Grand Junction) send out a P.M. I'm sure I could learn a few things from a guy that rides the Rockies this time of year. My only downfall right now is I don't have any heated gear

Like I said I'll ride all winter... and I can play the game of watching the weather and hitting the roads when I know they are clear and haven't had a storm for a week or two in a specific area... I just wouldn't recommend it to someone from a 1000 miles away and close to sea level to come up here without having a good backup plan or a good local contact to provide support. Not that it can't be done... I just see too much of a chance for someone to get here after all that Distance to get caught in a storm and have to go home defeated again. I've seen it dump 12" in July and close I-70 down for a day too.

Yeah, that's a good point, and let him know via PM it's a gamble this time of the year. I have the advantage of living here, so I can check the weather in real time before heading out rides. Coming for a week long winter tour from out of state is another deal.

And I'll definitely shoot off a message next time I hit the Western Slope.