I was looking at Route 306 going west from Buena Vista on Google Maps, and it's marked "Closed Winters." When, on the average does winter start in an area like this? When would the road typically be shut down?
When's Winter?
- Thread starter Murdy
- Start date
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Not to be a smart ass, but whenever it wants to be. Actually I'm sure if you called CDOT or the State Hwy Patrol they could tell you.
Around here the County, BLM & USFS stop maintaining the roads by about the first of November, as they depend a lot on part time summer help. In the case of the feds, their help is gone by early Oct. My neighbor does road work for them and has every winter off. Also around here they lockup a lot of the FS roads once winter gets here, too much damage from wheeled vehicles when they are muddy.
Around here the County, BLM & USFS stop maintaining the roads by about the first of November, as they depend a lot on part time summer help. In the case of the feds, their help is gone by early Oct. My neighbor does road work for them and has every winter off. Also around here they lockup a lot of the FS roads once winter gets here, too much damage from wheeled vehicles when they are muddy.
BKC
Very Active Member
That is Cottonwood pass. I'm sure oldhunter will chime in on this, since this is his stomping grounds.
"Not to be a smart ass, but whenever it wants to be."
I certainly understand that. I grew up in northern Wisconsin, and it could be anytime from early October to Thanksgiving -- knew I wasn't going to get a precise answer, lol.
Thanks, though, that gives me a bit of an idea.
I certainly understand that. I grew up in northern Wisconsin, and it could be anytime from early October to Thanksgiving -- knew I wasn't going to get a precise answer, lol.
Thanks, though, that gives me a bit of an idea.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
My real point was a lot of times the agencies locally will close roads on a time schedule regardless of the weather. Because it's a state hwy, calling CDOT would get a realtime answer. The best I can do is give you the local region's CDOT number in Durango (970) 385-8360. If they don't have what you want, I'm sure they could give you the number of the regional office of that area when you need information.
Called around a little and ended up talking to the State Police in Buena Vista. The officer said when the road closes does depend on the weather, and that late October to early November is typical.
Old Hunter
Banned
I'm late to this. Yes, I live in BV. Last year was early November, but that's not normal. I've also seen late September, but that's not normal either. Sometime in October would be the average.
xtreme
Very Active Member
My son and grandson came from Taylor park friday, in an RV, they said the road had been graded thursday. Still rough near the top of Cottonwood Pass
Old Hunter
Banned
Thanks all. Was wondering about the roads they don't close around there, and there seems to be quite a few (State Patrol suggested coming in from the Gunnison side after the road closes). After a good snow, how long does it take for them to clear the roads?
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Really depends on the road and how much snow was dumped on it. Usually they are cleared by the next day. The 2 around here that are effected the most are 145 over Lizard Head Pass and 550 over Red Mountain Pass. Both are major north/south highways for us down here in the SW corner of the state. They (DOT) get on them pretty fast. Biggest problem after thay are cleared is the black ice. It can be pretty treacherous.
Remember one thing...both of these are state highways not county or FS raods.
Remember one thing...both of these are state highways not county or FS raods.
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Old Hunter
Banned
Cottonwood Pass will be cleared right away if it's going to remain open. It's never completely closed. Snowmobiles use it in the winter. I've often thought of getting a snowmobile and hunting up there after the road closes. Big bulls will still be up there, and they'll be getting no pressure.
Tough hunting for an old guy like me though, so it's just a dream for me.
Tough hunting for an old guy like me though, so it's just a dream for me.
Thank you both. That's some beautiful country in that area, and not the worst in terms of preference points either.