Extreme Weather and Mountain Driving Conditions

Even though the first day of Winter on the calendar is deep into the month of December, everyone in Colorado knows the seasons and consider the months as more like guidelines. Winter came in hot…er, cold this November, starting off strong with road closures, sub-freezing temperatures, and the general chaos that follows the first heavy snowfall of the season. 

For your next trip to North Park, either for hunting, fishing, or enjoying the mountain scenery, you need to come prepared for some extreme weather conditions in the wintertime. Even if you are just passing through on your way to carve some turns on the slopes or finishing out the end of hunting season, winter in the Rocky Mountains is no joke. Be safe out there and come visit your new friends in North Park!

What are the Biggest Hazards of Winter Driving?

Driving in the Rocky Mountains in winter can be one of the biggest challenges you can tackle. In the event of a wreck or a breakdown, check out CDOT’s recommendations on what to carry for a homemade emergency kit to carry in your vehicle.

• Visibility: One of the biggest hazards of winter driving conditions is how far you can see. Ground blizzards, glare from snow, and ice and fogged up windows can keep you from seeing where you are going. At night, blowing snow caught in your headlights and the glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic can be a big problem. In wintertime there’s a lot more night on the clock too, with the sun setting in late afternoon, which means there’s a good chance you are going to have to do some night driving.
• Snow and Ice: Blowing snow poses its challenges when it comes to visibility, but a little bit of wind can drift over sections of road, which might be hard to see since everything tends to blend in together. Snow drifts can cause you to lose traction or run off the road.
• Wind causes another problem as blowing snow and ice particles tend to polish roads, making them slicker. The use of road salt and the thaw and freeze of the day will create icy roads, even if the asphalt looks bare. There’s a good chance a layer of black ice is coating the blacktop. Black ice can leave a road surface with about as much traction as a hockey rink.
• Narrow roads: Snow plows, drifts, and oncoming cars can make a winding mountain road feel like it’s about as wide as a postage stamp. Driving with your headlights on during the day can improve your visibility and allow more time for other drivers to respond to seeing you coming.
• Other Drivers: Even if you are a master of driving in the wintertime, there’s a good chance other drivers are not. Be on your guard for other drivers, whether they are hugging the centerline, driving too fast, or running their high beams during a ground blizzard.
• Animals: Many large animals such as deer, elk, and moose gather to lick salt off the roads left by the snowplows. Moose are especially dangerous, especially at night, since their dark coloring makes them harder to see. Moose vs. Car accidents seldom turn out well for either, and deer have been known to run right into the sides of cars as they pass. Keep a lookout for these animals while you are driving.
• Cell signal: We’ve all become pretty dependent on our cell phones, especially navigation systems. Remote areas in Colorado such as North Park often have fifty miles or more where you won’t have cell coverage. Limited numbers of towers and carriers, as well as reception being blocked by storms make cell service unreliable at best in the winter. It’s important to be extra cautious, since you can’t always just call AAA for help if you get into trouble.
• Snowplows: Even though they work throughout the day to keep the roads clear, snowplows are large pieces of equipment that sometimes create visibility problems, broken windshields from flying ice and gravel, and take up a lot of the highway when they are running. Give them plenty of space and don’t always assume they can see you or that they can stop quickly!

Tips for Winter Driving Conditions

Here’s some things you need to think about before hitting the roads in winter:

• Go slow: It’s not a race. Controlling your speed and driving at a moderate speed gives you more time to react, whether it is due to poor visibility, slick road conditions, or dealing with other cars and trucks on the road.
• Keep your windshield clean: Not only should you do your best to scrape the outside ice off your windshield, but also keep the inside of your glass clean. Dust and other particles can leave a film on your glass that will bind to moisture. Dirty windshields will ice up on the inside faster than clean ones.
• Working wiper blades and plenty of washer fluid: In the winter you might find yourself running your wipers even more than a summer rain storm. Not only from blowing snow, but also dirt, mud, and even debris left by snow plows. Temps in North Park can sometimes hit -40F, so be aware that your washer fluid might freeze solid.
• Have the right equipment: Colorado has a number of highways and interstates that are chain law restricted. Chains and snow tires do a lot when it comes to keeping your car going on snow and ice. Not only should your vehicle be outfitted with snow rated tires, chains, and even spikes, they should be properly inflated and have enough tread. 
• Fuel in the Tank: Don’t skip the pumps when driving in winter. Winter driving, using 4WD, and especially getting stuck can drop your fuel mileage significantly. In the event of being stuck overnight, you might have to rely on your vehicle heater to stay warm (just make sure it is well-ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning). Distances between towns can vary greatly, and some places you pass through might not have working pumps. 

If You Don’t Know, Don’t Go

Be sure to keep updated on changing weather conditions before setting out on the highways. Storm fronts can drop a lot of snow or cause major freezes that can shut down roads or turn your afternoon drive into a nightmare. Never go around a barricade indicating a closed road. Not only are fines significant, but conditions beyond that barricade are often deadly. 

Driving out into a closed road might mean you won’t have help for days at a time. When the weather gets bad, it’s often better to just stay at home and see what’s on TV.

Never make assumptions when driving in North Park in the wintertime. Your vehicle might not be able to handle the depth of snow or the icy roads, regardless of four-wheel-drive. We would rather we missed you this time, so you can come back safely later.

What to Do If I Skid Out

Speed control is one of the best ways to avoid spinning out in your vehicle. Our first instinct is usually to hit the brakes, which can cause you to lose control—even with anti-lock braking systems. Slow down! Get your foot off the gas and the brake and allow your engine to help you decelerate. Drop into a lower gear to maintain speed without having to use the brake all the time. If you skid, keep your hands on the wheel and try to control the skid by turning into it. 

Front wheel drive cars might be more of a challenge in doing this, but the key in either case is making sure your wheels are turning and you are continuing to have control. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can get yourself out of trouble if you aren’t speeding to get into it.

Where Do I Find Local Road Conditions in Jackson County?

Be sure to check weather reports, tune into weather stations on your TV or AM/FM radio, or use your favorite weather apps when planning a trip.

The intermountain community of northern Colorado has a number of resources using social media that can help you navigate our highways in winter driving conditions. 

North West Colorado Highway Conditions Facebook group

Colorado Road and Weather Conditions Facebook group

Local Groups

Be sure to add these groups and bookmark them for your next visit!

Jackson County Road Report: Locals share current info about road conditions around Walden and surrounding areas, mostly about driving conditions to other towns and mountain passes. When locals are saying stay home, you know it’s serious weather.

Lake John Resort: The Lake John Resort not only posts regular fishing conditions, but also road conditions for the benefit of visitors. Information is updated regularly.

Stop in Walden on Your Way Through

Driving when you are fatigued can mean the difference between getting where you are going and getting into some serious trouble. Whether road closures or hairy winter driving conditions cause you to second guess the safety of your drive, filling up the tank, or if you just need to stop for a while to recover, Walden, CO is the best place to stop on your mountain drive.

• Rita’s Cafe: Breakfast and Lunch served 5 days per week.  Check out the review here! It’s also one of the best places to get coffee in Walden, CO.
• River Rock in Walden, CO : A sit down restaurant with hot drinks, food, and adult beverages for after a long day on the trails.
• Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant in Gould, CO: If you are visiting trails in Gould, Cameron Pass, State Forest State Park, or Owl Mountain, the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant is close to you.  Serving up a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the winter, it’s a must-see place to stop to fill your stomach.
• The 10th Frame in Walden, CO: Open Tuesday-Friday, take a break from riding and enjoy a burger, hot sandwiches, or any number of daily specials. It’s also got bowling and a full bar. A local favorite! 
• The Stockman Bar and Grill in Walden, CO: A local bar and grill featuring an original antique bar from the frontier days, local character, and plenty of good times.

Best Places to Stay in North Park and Walden, CO

Plan ahead and book your lodging in a hotel, VRBO, or AirBnB vacation rental property in Walden, CO. Choose from a wide selection of vacation rentals, ranging from quaint to unique, for anything from single occupancy to large groups of visitors.

Reserve your rooms early as rooms tend to fill up quickly. Nearly everything is within walking distance in Walden, but if you don’t want to brave the weather, there are plenty of free places to park near Main Street.

Here are the best hotels in Walden, CO and places to stay in North Park:

• Antlers Inn Call: (970) 723-8690
• North Park Inn and Suites Call: (970) 723-4271
• Chedsey Motel Call: (970) 723-8201
• Lake John Resort (970) 723-8201 (14 miles west of Walden, road conditions may vary)

Drive Safely and Come See Us!

Though North Park isn’t a main artery of travel like I-70 or I-25, Jackson County has its share of traffic all year long. Walden sits at the hub of some well-traveled highways in Colorado. HWY 14 connects the Front Range with the ski towns of Steamboat and CO 125/127 serves as the Colorado gateway into Wyoming. These roads aren’t just used by skiers, travelers, and tourists. Motorists share these mountain highways with 18 wheelers, supplying mountain communities with anything from dog food to oil well machinery.

In spite of some of the hazards you might encounter in winter mountain driving, it is done every day! The rewards of beautiful landscapes, pristine mountain views, and friendly people are definitely worth it. Experience Colorado as more than just a tourist. Communities like North Park offer much more than crowded ski lifts and slushy parking lots. You get to see how life is in the Real Colorado!