Trip to Breckenridge, CO Suggestions

Hey guys, so I’m heading up to Breckenridge, CO on March 9 and really wanting to see some scenic routes and visit some trails on my way up there and down from there. This is the way IPhone maps is telling me to go. If any of you have suggestions on where to stop for trails, food and sights. Please let me know! This would be my first road trip with my Tacoma. I’m also really debating on taking my best friend (my german/lab ha) with me. I’m just worried that she may get car sick. So I started a poll and would like to know what you think. Thank you very much!

 

Scenic... Drive up pikes peak. Or not. Dog.. I dunno.. Enjoy. The rocky mountian high

 

I drove from Houston to Colorado with my co pilot when I moved to Colorado

 

Pikes peak is a must drive if you can and weather permits. The trails around breckenridge will most likely be undriveable due to snow. There is a really fun trail that brings you above Breckenridge that drives across an old ski resort but have only done it in the summer.

 

Pikes Peak is cool. But if you have the time head west off the interstate at Walsenberg toward Durango. Then north through Silverton and Ouray. I think the Durango to Ouray drive is the most scenic in Colorado. There are tons of off road trails around Silverton and Ouray, but will probably be snow covered and closed until June, maybe July.

Another alternative is to head west at Amarillo toward Albuquerque. Then north through Santa Fe and into Colorado at Pagosa Springs. Durango is only about 50 miles west of Pagosa Springs.

After you leave Ouray you could then work your way back towards Breckenridge, but I'm not certain which route would be best. Probably continue north until you get back on I-70.

 

Damn, so I guess I’m going at not the right time lol

 

Look here at the CDOT website for statewide traffic and road conditions:

https://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/roadConditions

The entire state has been experiencing one of the heaviest snowfalls in recent memory. Not just trails will be closed. Many of the passes close randomly for avalanche reduction. If you're headed to Breck I hope you ski or snowboard, that's about all there is to do this time of year with that amount of snow (besides drink and smoke weed, etc.). eg. Wolf Creek ski area has 344" total so far this year. Two heaviest snow months left to go. 30 year average is a bit over 400", might hit 600" this year. Here's a weather app I made telling current snowpack and cumulative precip for Wolf Creek Pass, vs last year and 30 year ave. near where I live:

https://tinyurl.com/gr89jrd

Make sure you have tires that will handle the snow, keep a (big) shovel, tow rope, and winter gear (clothes, gloves, boots, hats etc.) at all times in your truck, you never know when you'll get stuck or need to help somebody else. Just having 4WD is not enough. If you try to head off into the back country for any reason whatsoever consult experienced locals first. Lot of people buying the farm this year in avalanches.

Here is the avalanche forecast site:

https://avalanche.state.co.us/

What I do before traveling anywhere in the state in winter especially is check the CDOT site and then all the cameras, gives you an idea what is going on real time snow traffic and weather wise. Have fun.

 

Damn good information, I appreciate it. I am heading up there to snowboard and ski. I thought I could hit up some trails but looks like I won’t be doing that this time lol

 

Happy to help. Be prepared, don't do anything crazy and you'll be OK. Even old timers and long time locals are freaking out how much snow we're getting this winter.

 

You weren’t planning on leaving the pooch in the truck while you skied were you? If so leave the pooch home

 

If you want to ski/snowboard at the resorts you're going to have to leave your dog somewhere......if you're headed to the backcountry to get your turns and you've done this with your dog before then bring them.

There will probably be options for trails that aren't covered in snow at lower elevations.

 

Summer is a great time to visit. Unless you are into snow activities.

 

I forgot to chime in on the dog. If you can leave her in a hotel maybe OK. But I agree with previous poster, a puppy in a car all day while you ski is a bad idea.

Also, if this is your first road trip in your Taco, I'm assuming you've never been in snow with it. If you happen to have prior snow driving experience that is good. Maybe throw a few sandbags in the bed. But please familiarize yourself with the (entire) 4WD system before you get to snow, and how ABS works. So 4WD H, 4WD lo, diff locker if equipped etc. Eg my ABS kicks in way too soon and I often roll a surprisingly long way before stopping with it full on. Then when you get to snow find somewhere to practice how your truck handles in 4WD and snow/ice at low speeds and ABS braking. Like an empty parking lot. You do not want to be tooling along in 2WD at 70MPH in traffic, hit ice and be trying to figure out what to do. Also your route looks like HWY 9 over Hoosier pass. Keep a close eye on that via the CDOT website above. It can be super tricky this time of year with this much snow and it (and all the passes) closes often for various reasons.

 

This is all great information and highly valued! This will be my first time my taco sees real snow lol so it I’ll be a little nervous.

 

The million dollar highway! Ouray to Silverton to Telluride is unbelievable. That road can be scary if weather hits!