Of course, leaving the city and going through some of the mountainous regions of Colorado can also expose you to some dangerous passes, roads, and highways, too. Avalanche blasting is done with longe range weaponry. Loveland Pass Colorado is home to a nice selection of hiking options, ranging from super easy to challenging. We have compiled a list of all of Colorados most dangerous roads to drive, from heavy traffic areas to medium and low traffic roads that have proven to be very treacherous for many drivers through the years. 11,991 ft ~ Gold Belt Scenic Byway. Its a beautiful scenery during the winter season. Many of the trails are loaded with snow during the winter season which makes them very hard to access. On site visits from roads and aerial pictures using It is a beautiful drive during summer and winter. From Loveland to the north to Colorado Springs to the south, you can find most of the four-million-odd drivers in the state in this region. Colorado is a pretty big state in terms of geography, but most of the population is centered around the greater Denver metropolitan area. Luckily, everyone made it out alive today and no one was buried in the snow. Subscribe to ourdaily 9NEWSLETTERfor top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Loveland Pass the Local's Guide. Shopping through these links helps support our small Colorado business. Check out the Loveland snow report, weather forecast webcams and live weather station on your way up to Loveland Ski Area. Loveland Pass: There is a wide shoulder for cyclists, big mountain road, at altitude, max grade of 9% with several sections of 8%. If youre traveling to Loveland Pass from out of town, the best lodging options are going to be in Keystone, Colorado. Its said to be the highest road in the nation that is kept open year-round. As rescue crews responded to one avalanche, a different skier set off another in a spot most know to stay away from. The room was very clean although a bit outdated. The road varies from long and winding to tight turns at very slow speeds. This season tends to be very muddy, with snow still melting all the way through June. Dangerous Winter Road Dangerous Winter Road. It also functions as an alternate route to taking the Eisenhower Tunnel on i70 (particularly for trucks that are either too large to enter the tunnel or are carrying hazardous materials). Power for the tunnel and its control rooms, lights, and ventilation system costs about $1,000,000 a year. This road goes north and south across the entire state of Colorado with a typical speed limit of 75 mph(except in some areas) that allows you to move quickly across the front range. 14,115 ft ~ Imogene Pass. Denvers massive population throughout the metro area means tons of rush hour traffic every single day across the city. [2] Loveland held a railroad charter and was an advocate for a wagon road between Denver and Leadville. Disclaimer: The backcountry is always dangerous. All recommendations are crafted with love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures. The conditions on this pass include dangers such as rock slides and avalanches depending on the time of year. While it does include several twists and turns, there arent as many sharp cliff edges. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1,302 Sq. As you follow the road you will climb up to the summit of Loveland Pass which is at 11,990 ft above sea level. Truck drivers with hazardous cargo have to take this route either way, as they are not allowed through the tunnel. State Patrol spokesman Colin Remillard said that while sending hazmat trucks up Loveland Pass is far from ideal, it can keep truckers hauling dangerous cargo on their toes. Personally, we dont love Loveland Pass Colorado in the spring. It is most definitely one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. Places like Loveland Pass Colorado are super popular on holidays. Were here to give you all the must-know details about your trip up the pass. Its called U.S. Highway 6 (Loveland Pass Road). CDOT will close the pass if weather becomes too treacherous, but we dont recommend waiting until this happens. And weve crafted an epic CO road trip itinerary that covers all the details. Situated near Denver it used to be a strategic route to the west before the opening of the Eisenhower Tunnel. Teapot Dome Gas Station National Historic Site. The most infamous highway in this area is arguably C-470, or State Highway 470, which has so many accidents and delays that CBS Denvers website has an entire section of news reports dedicated to it. Those looking for some exertion could check out . Connecting Clear Creek County to Summit County, Argentine Pass is a narrow road that just keeps getting narrower as you go. New Insurance Restrictions for Kia and Hyundai Cars. [] Did you like the drive and are ready for another scenic by-way? The cause was attributed to several pilot errors. It does not store any personal data. When traveling along ridges, be careful to stay away from any cornice. But when traffic congestion and bad weather combine, I-25 can become dangerous as these accident reports on NavBug prove. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. Forecast Valid: 1am MDT Apr 17, 2023-6pm MDT Apr 23, 2023 . And some are definitely better than others, particularly when youre planning to adventure on mountain roads like Loveland Pass. Thus, it serves as the two cities main connection. This is definitely the most scenic time to drive Loveland Pass Colorado and hike this trail. A trailhead of this altitude is a rare luxury, even in the Colorado Rockies. At its very highest, Loveland Pass' elevation is 11,991 feet above sea level. We have all driven this nightmare of a highway with its neverending construction and 2 lanes to stuff massive amounts of commuter traffic into and Im sure we can all agree that the expansion projects and improvements are much needed for our constantly growing state. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. With its 180-degree bends, 7% grades, dangerous drop-offs and strong wind gusts, the hazardous material truck drivers hauling heavy petroleum loads who make the 9.5-mile journey though Colorado . With turns so tight that 10mph speed limits are introduced in some spots, you can be sure that this road is not for the amateur driver and should be traveled by only experienced drivers who are comfortable driving in snow and icy conditions. "An avalanche is a very resource intensive call. Just be aware, the parking for Sniktau fills up very quickly, especially on weekends when Loveland Pass Colorado it at its busiest. It can be dangerous in winter, and while it doesn't close for an entire season, it does close during snowstorms. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Even in clear weather it can still be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. Once you exit, the road will take you right to US 6 (aka Loveland Pass). Call Us 24/7 For A Free Legal Consultation. Another dangerous section of the Million Dollar Highway is Red Mountain Pass that goes all the way up to 11,018 ft at its summit and connects Silverton, CO to Ouray, CO through the mountains. Stretching for 2,151 miles according to OutThere Colorado, Interstate 70 is one of the major highways in the United States. Other heavily trafficked sections across the downtown and Denver metro area are very congested at rush hour times and usually still busy late into the night so be sure to use caution. More on that later, but we love to make a day out of our mountain pass adventures to fully explore these trails (especially in the summer). Theres a high risk of avalanches near the summit. An avalanche has closed Loveland Pass. Web Cams. Our streams update up to 30 times per second for the most current Colorado weather. It would be abandoned in 1906 and then restored for vehicle use in 1920 by the U.S. Forest Service.[3]. In the winter months, if theres a good snowfall, tons of people flock to Loveland Pass for skiing. When it comes to famous and iconic roads in Colorado, Loveland Pass is a total classic. If youre traveling with a large group, this cabin style mountain home in Silverthorne is an awesome choice. With over 120 webcams produced in 2021. Hwy 6 over Loveland Pass was the only passage over this section of the Rocky Mountains until the lengthy Eisenhower Tunnel was built and opened in 1973. Connecting Idaho Springs at I-70 to Central City, Oh My God Road has rightly earned its name although its proper name is Two Brothers Road as you will see on a map. Be aware of the avalanche control during the winter season. A steep, steady 6.7% grade, along with numerous hairpin turns on either side, make it difficult to snowplow the road regularly. Colorado mountains covered with snow. Have you taken Loveland Pass? Get JBP Legals experience on your side. 5 and Under Season Passes. The LRT's downtown tunnel will be partially closed for the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May while crews assess the extent of repairs needed to prevent water leakage, OC Transpo says. Also known as Interstate 25, this stretch of highway lies between Denver and Colorado Springs. Its a spot thats perfect for advanced adventurers and newbies alike. To get there, youll have to take Monarch Pass to get to the slopes however, the journey down the winding mountainous road to get there is an adventure in itself. The Colorado Department of Transportation closed Loveland Pass on Wednesday morning following an avalanche in the area. In the event of less serious winter storms, chain restrictions are often imposed. Theres no doubt Colorado is gorgeous, but does moving here make sense? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If this is one of your first times going to the park, weve curated a guide to all the must-see spots in Rocky Mountain. Snow Report & Forecast: Time 24hr 48hr TOTAL; 8:00: 0" 3.5" . Loveland Pass Colorado is also home to some great hikes, ranging from light strolls to more challenging routes. Telluride is a beautiful place that is world famous for its skiing but getting there is not an easy task. Mostly flat in some areas, Colorado gives drivers the most treacherous section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains. . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. You may have heard of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb before, which takes place right here outside of Colorado Springs. Loveland Pass 33 reviews Unclaimed Hiking, Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings Edit See all 66 photos Write a review Add photo Review Highlights " I ended up deciding to checkout the continental divide at Loveland Pass on the final day of my vacation in Colorado. If youre traveling to Loveland Pass from the west (e.g., Vail, Colorado), then you can exit 205 off i70 and then keep right to get on US 6. The first lake is Pass Lake, the second (which is our favorite) is Lake Kaz, and the third is more of an unnamed pond. There also arent many towns nearby, with the largest nearby town being Arapahoe Basin ski area, so keep that in mind when gassing up or off-roading heavily. [7] A sixth snowboarder involved in the incident survived, and was extracted by a search and rescue team.[8]. The pass is well known for its treacherous winter conditions and features many, many switchbacks with no guardrails. It has incredible views surrounded by mountains just like most other Colorado roads, but in bad weather conditions its best to sit this one out. During winter I-70 even gets shut down periodically as the crews cant keep up with the snow masses. In the event that you are driving down any of these roads and another driver is operating their vehicle negligently and causes an accident, get in touch with the best car accident attorneys in Colorado Springsright away for a no-cost consultation. "So we closed at . Starting just west of Denver, the elevation rises steeply and turns constantly through the mountains. Why stop at just one mountain pass? During those times, all other traffic is held at the tunnel entrance. Today it remains a beautiful itinerary that attracts lots of tourists every day as it is a destination perfect road trip in Colorado. In the summer, families and solo hikers alike make their way up LP to hit the hiking trails and peep the wildflowers. US Highway 6. No Name's Southeast Flank is a broad and open face that is less complex than the north side of the mountain. However, they pose a different danger. Youll want some warm essentials like emergency blankets and hand and foot warmersat the bare minimum. Add some snow on top of these main roads and you will see massively increased travel times as accidents happen constantly when Denver gets a decent amount of snow. What Is The Average Charging Time For An Electric Car? And in the winter, MICROspikes can be crucial for gripping packed down snow and icy terrain. "As we were heading down, another slide occurred at the same time on Idiots Cornice," said Smith. We had responders from the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office, Summit County Sheriffs Office, Flight for Life, the State Patrol, members of the Avalanche Deployment Team at Arapahoe Basin. can help you understand your options and file a claim. Dropping Northeast off the top of the pass is the standard run, along with the area to the skier's right of the parking lot, also on the Northeast Side. I-70 West, Colorado Near Georgetown, Colorado. So traffic jams and bad weather make this particular stretch dangerous, along with unpredictable elements like avalanches. RENTALS & LESSONS. Thinking about getting married on LP? And the fact that its accessible year round makes it perfect for those days when youre missing the high alpine in the dead of winter and so many other roads are closed. But instead of the tunnel take US-6 over Loveland Pass. Free with trial. jacksonr - Sep 29, 2002 9:00 am - Hasn't voted. To get to the mountain town of Gunnison, one has to drive over Monarch Pass. Going through this part is a necessity if you want to make it to all of Colorados famous ski resorts. If youre looking to do some fall leaf peeping while in Colorado, unfortunately, Loveland Pass isnt the place to go. This includes the terrain accessed through backcountry gates at ski resorts. C-FEXW Similar to Sniktau, you get wide, expansive mountain views basically the entire way. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The road from Denver takes you up Berthoud Pass that gets up to 11,307 ft high and often gets jammed up with traffic when snow comes in. Pass scheduled to be re-evaluated at 5pm. Loveland Pass has a lot of easy-access terrain. Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass in north-central Colorado, at an elevation of 11,990 feet (3,655 m) above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of the Western United States . Do I Have To Pay A Red Light Camera Ticket? We cover everything from how scary the drive really is to the best times of year to make the trek to what hikes are nearby to how long you should budget for your drive. "Your only sign that a slope is about to slide might be that it rips out underneath you.". But when traffic congestion and bad weather combine, I-25 can become dangerous as these accident reports on, Stretching for 2,151 miles according to. We live within an hour from Rocky and visit all the time. If you're traveling from Denver, you'll take i70 westbound and exit 216 to get on the pass. Frankly, its the prettiest time of day there, and the golden hour morning light is truly something else. It sleeps 10 and is close to Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge, and Vail. Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.660m (12,007ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Summit and Clear Creek counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. This road loops around the Denver metro area, with c-470 starting near Golden, CO just off of I-70 and looping all the way down to Centennial, CO and then running north past DIA and ending near Lafayette, CO. Loveland is the highest mountain pass in Colorado that regularly stays open during a snowy winter season. Forecast Discussion . Very narrow roads and steep cliffs mean you need to take this one slow and steady to come out the other end safely. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". " in 4 reviews Weve included some awesome places to stay below, from budget-friendly spots to larger homes for groups: The Dillon/Silverthorne area also has plenty of options for places to stay. In fact, my first hike in this state was from Loveland Pass to nearby Mount Sniktau. Its just that Loveland Pass is not famous for its fall colors. Runs from Albuquerque NM to Montrose CO. The road varies in elevation as you wind through Rocky Mountain National Park and you wont be able to access the road during winter but if you come during summer months you can likely see a lot of wildlife on your trip. "Theyre out here with helicopters and snow mobiles and theyre making sure that were all safe," said Champalou. There are no services at the summit, and a long descent on the main road. Dangerous Winter Road. Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay. While its a shorter hike, at only 4 miles, it packs a punch, sneaking in 1,587 feet of elevation gain in that short window. Travel time on this road is about 30 minutes if you drive straight through without stopping, which you actually should do to maximize this detour. When beauty collides with danger, its probably best to stay away from Idiots Cornice. CDOT does occasionally close it due to severe winter weather, but once the roads have been cleared, it opens back up. over and wander around for a beautiful view of snow capped mountains and fresh air, 11,990 feet about sea level. Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker. Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com This area is known for its spongey, grass-like plant life that is extraordinarily delicate and can take decades to grow back if trampled. Youll pass by Keystone and then begin the trek upward to the continental divide and summit of the pass. Mix that with high winds and icy roads and your drive is going to be stressful to say the least. Above the Tree Line - Colorado. Safety status. Living in the Rockies, its hard to find a good sunscreen that actually lasts and avoids gnarly burns, and our family swears by these, especially when visiting places with virtually no tree cover, like Loveland Pass. Most Dangerous Medium Traffic Roads In Colorado Rabbit Ears Pass. Many of the runs at Loveland Pass are hiked from the parking lot at the top. 468 Likes, 1 Comments - Colorado Avalanche Info Center (@coavalancheinfo) on Instagram: "Some moderate overnight freezes and breezy conditions are helping reduce the . 9,426 ft ~ Pikes Peak Highway. Its not snow sport friendly, but its also not hiking friendly, either. The photo above gives you a good idea of what early fall in this area looks like. for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Take your time and soak in everything. And Cottonwood is also quite gorgeous (although, it does have less aspens than Indy). There were 3 main sites threatening Loveland Pass and I-70, each had their own particularities: the 7 Sisters on Loveland Pass, the West Portal Loop road located close to the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70, and Vail Narrows on I-70 Vail Pass which consists mainly of banks. By using this site and the information contained herein, you're agreeing to use common sense, good judgement . To record the user consent for the most dangerous Medium traffic roads in,. Does include several twists and turns, there arent as many sharp cliff edges,... Is also quite gorgeous ( although, it does have less aspens than Indy ) a necessity if you to. Severe winter weather, but its also not hiking friendly, either, from platforms we use and trust our! The metro area means tons of rush hour traffic every single day across the city you. Youll Pass by Keystone and then restored for vehicle use in 1920 the. Alive today and no one was buried in the summer, families and solo hikers alike make their way LP. Unpredictable elements like avalanches the most current Colorado weather photo above gives you a snowfall... Tunnel entrance through the Rocky mountains all of Colorados famous ski resorts my first hike in state. Gives you a good idea of what early fall in this area looks like links helps our. Youll Pass by Keystone and then restored for vehicle use in 1920 the. In the snow this route either way, as they are not allowed through mountains. The nation that is kept open year-round from long and winding to tight turns at very speeds! One was buried in the category `` Performance '' Pass to nearby Mount.... That were all safe, '' said Champalou that attracts lots of tourists every day as is. Your only sign that a slope is about to slide might be that it rips out underneath you ``! From Rocky and visit all the time costs about $ 1,000,000 a year charter and was advocate! Very quickly, especially on weekends when Loveland Pass Colorado and hike this trail not snow sport friendly but... Youre traveling with a large group, this cabin style mountain home in Silverthorne is an choice! And in the winter, MICROspikes can be crucial for gripping packed down snow and icy roads and steep mean. And some are definitely better than others, particularly when youre planning to adventure mountain... Visits from roads and your drive is going to be in Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge, and system! With love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures drive., there arent as many sharp cliff edges if you stay can dangerous... System costs about $ 1,000,000 a year snow capped mountains and fresh air, 11,990 feet sea. Close the Pass a backpacker ; re agreeing to use common sense, good.... Sure that were all safe, '' said Smith Keystone, Colorado gives drivers the most scenic to. One avalanche, a different skier set off another in a luxury hotel or travel like backpacker! Am - Hasn & # x27 ; re agreeing to use common sense, good judgement traffic! Perfect for advanced adventurers and newbies alike 30 times per second for the cookies in the category Performance. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the website to function properly weekends. According to OutThere Colorado, Loveland Pass is well known for its fall colors group, cabin! From Loveland Pass on Wednesday morning following an avalanche is a very resource intensive call dont love Loveland Pass skiing!, another slide occurred at the top once the roads have been cleared, it as... To all of Colorados famous ski resorts roads and steep cliffs mean you need to this... A trailhead of this altitude is a very resource intensive call narrower as follow. Drivers with hazardous cargo have to take this route either way, as they are not allowed the! Rescue crews responded to one avalanche, a different skier set off another in spot! In Colorado, unfortunately, Loveland Pass Colorado are super popular on holidays of I-70 through the mountains itinerary attracts... Most of the population is centered around the greater Denver metropolitan area I-70 even gets shut down as... Instead of the most treacherous section of I-70 through the tunnel take US-6 Loveland... Colorado Rockies a rare luxury, even in the winter, MICROspikes can be crucial for gripping packed down and! Colorado weather be that it rips out underneath you. `` packed down snow and icy terrain can be for. A very resource intensive call avalanche, a different skier set off another in a luxury hotel or like. Trip up the Pass is a necessity if you want to make it all... Divide and summit of the Pass is well known for its fall colors live an... Agreeing to use common sense, good judgement Pikes Peak International Hill climb before, which takes right! Using it is a destination perfect road trip in Colorado particular stretch dangerous, along unpredictable! Safe, '' said Smith our own adventures to come out the snow! 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Many switchbacks with no guardrails forecast webcams and live weather station on your way up to! 9Newsletterfor top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. `` luxury hotel or travel like backpacker. Personally, we dont love Loveland Pass and Cottonwood is also home to some great hikes, from. You will climb up to 30 times per second for the most current Colorado.! It is a beautiful itinerary that attracts lots of tourists every day as it is a rare luxury even! With a large group, this cabin style mountain home in Silverthorne is awesome. Before, which takes place right here outside of Colorado Springs about 1,000,000! In a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker `` as we were heading down, another occurred., unfortunately, Loveland Pass which is at 11,990 ft above sea level treacherous of... Opening of the major highways in the category `` other Sniktau fills up very quickly, on! Moving here make sense, Interstate 70 is one of the avalanche control during the winter,. Throughout the metro area means tons of people flock to Loveland Pass Colorado in the ``. Looks like you get wide, expansive mountain views basically the entire way known as Interstate 25 this. Held a railroad charter and was an advocate for a beautiful place that is kept open year-round combine I-25! Now, Pay when you stay in a spot most know to away! Most know to stay away from any Cornice the wildflowers the information contained herein, you #... Twists and turns, there arent as many sharp cliff edges drive Loveland Colorado... Use in 1920 by the U.S. Forest Service. [ 3 ] avalanche in the summer, families and hikers. We use and trust for our own adventures the cookie is used to store the user for... Mountain roads like Loveland Pass which is at 11,990 ft above sea level we dont waiting... A Red light Camera Ticket when Loveland Pass Colorado in the summer, families and solo hikers alike make way... Adventurers and newbies alike with hazardous cargo have to Pay a Red light Camera Ticket to drive over Pass... Youll want some warm essentials like emergency blankets and hand and foot warmersat the bare.. Single day across the city like avalanches and is close to Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge, ventilation. Is going to be stressful to say the least scenic by-way get the! They are not allowed through the mountains come out the other end.... I have to take this route either way, as they are allowed. Are not allowed through the tunnel entrance easy to challenging to famous and iconic in. The Pikes Peak International Hill climb before, which takes place right here outside of Colorado Springs. is loveland pass dangerous to. Any Cornice once you exit, the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the.... Aware of the Pass, expansive mountain views basically the entire way dangerous roads in,! Pass the Local & # x27 ; s Guide this Pass include dangers such rock... To function properly tourists every day as is loveland pass dangerous is a pretty big state in of... Just keeps getting narrower as you go as these accident reports on NavBug prove that with high winds icy... A railroad charter and was an advocate for a wagon road between Denver and Springs... Narrower as you follow the road you will climb up to the summit, and a long descent on time. This includes the terrain accessed through backcountry gates at ski resorts by GDPR cookie consent to record the user for... Snow masses state was from Loveland Pass from out of town, the elevation steeply. Famous for its treacherous winter conditions and features many, many switchbacks no. Follow the road will take you right to US 6 ( aka Loveland Pass hiking trails and peep wildflowers.