Driving from Sante Fe to Telluride on Tuesday - any advice?

[Bevin]

The route from Durango through Dolores and to Telluride over Lizzard Head pass isn't all that harrowing.  It's jaw-droppingly beautiful up in the pass (stop for photos), and there are a few slow, tight curves on the north side of the pass, but it's not dangerous on dry roads during day light hours.  At night the biggest risk is seeing deer and elk on the roads, but it sounds like you'll be leaving Santa Fe fairly early in the day so even seeing elk on the roads in broad daylight would be unlikely. 

The other way from Durango to Telluride goes straight north over Red Mountain Pass and north towards Ridgway.  That's a classic harrowing drive, and it's also the long way to Telluride from Durango. 

[FaceOnMars]

I agree, the route over Lizard Head on dry roads is relatively tame ... and not much in the way of sheer drop-offs.    It's a somewhat windy two lane road most of the way, so you definitely want to pay attention (especially at night re: wildlife); however, not nearly as windy as some parts of Red Mountain Pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk8xGUgv21c

[Australian fan]

The route from Durango through Dolores and to Telluride over Lizzard Head pass isn't all that harrowing.  It's jaw-droppingly beautiful up in the pass (stop for photos), and there are a few slow, tight curves on the north side of the pass, but it's not dangerous on dry roads during day light hours.  At night the biggest risk is seeing deer and elk on the roads, but it sounds like you'll be leaving Santa Fe fairly early in the day so even seeing elk on the roads in broad daylight would be unlikely. 

The other way from Durango to Telluride goes straight north over Red Mountain Pass and north towards Ridgway.  That's a classic harrowing drive, and it's also the long way to Telluride from Durango. 

Thank you, we are going to follow your suggestion Bevin x

[Australian fan]

I agree, the route over Lizard Head on dry roads is relatively tame ... and not much in the way of sheer drop-offs.    It's a somewhat windy two lane road most of the way, so you definitely want to pay attention (especially at night re: wildlife); however, not nearly as windy as some parts of Red Mountain Pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk8xGUgv21c

Thank you! X

[Australian fan]

Just as "32hour" says, if you take the route through Durango you're pretty much in Telluride on the way to Montrose.
Not much sense going all the way to Montrose at that point.
It's about an hour and a half from Telluride to Montrose, so that would be over a four hour delay while you wait for the shuttle.

Check out this Mapquest route and click on the alternate route to see where you're going.

You can either park you car in Telluride for the duration, or see if you can drop it off at the Telluride airport and get another one after the festival. 

We are going to do just that, thank you

[TellurideTom]

It's probably good for your nerves that you didn't select to take Red Mountain Pass.
Here's a sample of that road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCFpVr_uEY

And here's a couple samples of Lizard Head Pass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCclsVAVz4U
I like the way this guy says most of the road is boring (but he's on a motorcycle).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QytI8fnHZx8

Safe travels. 

[Auntie Hope]

Thanks Tom.

[Australian fan]

It's probably good for your nerves that you didn't select to take Red Mountain Pass.
Here's a sample of that road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCFpVr_uEY

And here's a couple samples of Lizard Head Pass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCclsVAVz4U
I like the way this guy says most of the road is boring (but he's on a motorcycle).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QytI8fnHZx8

Safe travels. 

Thank you

[completejohn]

You might consider two other options.

First, drive north from Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs, then west to Mancos, north to Dolores and up to T-ride.  It's mostly 2-lane roads, but the passes near Durango and east of Mancos are either 4 lane or 3-lane (two regular lanes and a passing lane).

The other route is to head south to Albuquerque, then up 550.  There are a couple of options once you get to Bloomfield.  Either head north to Durango then over to Mancos, or west to Farmington and up along NM 140 to Hesperas, then onto Mancos etc.

I drive the last version a LOT, even in the winter, and tho it's beautiful, I never think of it as dangerous.  From Mancos, it's 2 lane roads, but the speed limits aren't high.  And from Dolores to T-ride it's a nice ride along the river.  The only somewhat scary part is once you get past Lizard Head pass, but the speed limit drops a LOT as you head towards T-ride.

OK, just one more thought.  Get to Durango then jump on the daily bus that goes into Telluride.  Ive never taken it, but once you're in T-ride you won't really need a car anyway.

And finally, we have a lot of people coming up from Albuq, with schedules staggered throughout the week.  If you decide to head this way, you can certainly follow one of us up there.  And I will keep my ears open to see if anyone has extra room to eliminate your drive completely!

[Australian fan]

You might consider two other options.

First, drive north from Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs, then west to Mancos, north to Dolores and up to T-ride.  It's mostly 2-lane roads, but the passes near Durango and east of Mancos are either 4 lane or 3-lane (two regular lanes and a passing lane).

The other route is to head south to Albuquerque, then up 550.  There are a couple of options once you get to Bloomfield.  Either head north to Durango then over to Mancos, or west to Farmington and up along NM 140 to Hesperas, then onto Mancos etc.

I drive the last version a LOT, even in the winter, and tho it's beautiful, I never think of it as dangerous.  From Mancos, it's 2 lane roads, but the speed limits aren't high.  And from Dolores to T-ride it's a nice ride along the river.  The only somewhat scary part is once you get past Lizard Head pass, but the speed limit drops a LOT as you head towards T-ride.

OK, just one more thought.  Get to Durango then jump on the daily bus that goes into Telluride.  Ive never taken it, but once you're in T-ride you won't really need a car anyway.

And finally, we have a lot of people coming up from Albuq, with schedules staggered throughout the week.  If you decide to head this way, you can certainly follow one of us up there.  And I will keep my ears open to see if anyone has extra room to eliminate your drive completely!

Wow, that is great advice, thank you so much!  I will keep you posted ( I'm on the road for work) but that sounds like some excellent options

THANK YOU xx