I will be driving through Utah and Colorado in a few weeks. Will a 2 WD vehicle be sufficient for driving through the mountains? I understand that the snow will be all melted by then, and we won't be doing any off roading. We will be driving to the top of Pike's Peak as well. Will that make a difference?

You will be fine.

Just drove Pike's today ... no 4WD needed to summit on the highway. But have your brakes checked out before your tackle the trip to ensure they're in good shape.

cjaetzold said:

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Just drove Pike's today ... no 4WD needed to summit on the highway. But have your brakes checked out before your tackle the trip to ensure they're in good shape.

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Just had new ones put on. This is good to hear. I was more worried about the steep slopes.

Is there still snow at the top?

Let me go look out the window...

Yes, there is still some snow up there.

I live in Colorado. I try to never use my 4wd.

Nothing too steep ... we saw wide variety of cars today and all seemed to get up and down just fine. Still snow above the treeline but nothing on the roads. A storm rolled in as we were driving to the summit ... we got pelted with graupel (new term I learned today) from about mile marker 15 going up, the entire time at the summit and then back down until about mile marker 11. A little hair raising for us flat landing Texans, but nothing that raised the blood pressure too much. Was pretty interesting to be "in" the storm as opposed to beneath it.

You will be fine on almost any paved surface. Only a very few roads are not yet opened and plowed. However, you sound like you are NOT used to mountain conditions and weather - so, just for a reality check - click on the link below about the web cams on Pikes and click/enlarge the small pic of the summit visitors center. That was from 6/6/2017 for reference. Have fun on your trip !

Pikes Peak Visitor Center

You're here in Colorado Springs Dub? Any recs for family activities w/ kiddos who are 9,6,5? We've been in since Sat and hit the Zoo, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, hiked the Spruce Mountain Loop, toured the Air Force Academy, hiked Catamount Falls to Garden of Eden Meadow, drove Pikes and hung out in Manitou Springs. We're here til Thurs afternoon and were unsure of how to spend the rest of the trip. TIA.

A few more view options on Pikes

Plkes Peak Cam

Colorado native here. If you need 4 wd, you have already messed up. If you messed up, you need 4wd, and 4 sets of chains.

I messed up a few weeks ago in my 2wd F150... got a little dicey from CS to BV when the snow blew in.

Yeah, 4wd is a nice to have, but most inexperienced drivers get in trouble in the mountains due to brake overuse more than they do because of snow. Use engine braking to limit speed where you can on down slopes instead of riding your brakes.

My experience is that the authorities will wave you off prior to you getting yourself in trouble. This is unless you really are looking for trouble. I had to park overnight in Trinidad a few years back as the state police closed the pass down to Raton due to blizzard conditions. This was coming back from Spring Break so definitely winter weather.

Some guy at the bar put back 7 beers in short order before announcing he knew a backroad and was getting through. He took off in a Toyota Camry. I always wonder if he is dead now, if not from that then from something else.

cjaetzold said:

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You're here in Colorado Springs Dub? Any recs for family activities w/ kiddos who are 9,6,5? We've been in since Sat and hit the Zoo, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, hiked the Spruce Mountain Loop, toured the Air Force Academy, hiked Catamount Falls to Garden of Eden Meadow, drove Pikes and hung out in Manitou Springs. We're here til Thurs afternoon and were unsure of how to spend the rest of the trip. TIA.

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Sorry I missed your post, but you got the big stuff.

A tour of the Olympic training center and a visit to Glen Eyrie would have been good options. Helen Hunt falls are near and very accessible.

We took my buddy's 2WD low riding vehicle on a recent trip to Utah and camped in the mountains in the absolute of nowhere in a National Forest. So my advice to you is find a NF and drive through til you feel like stopping and going on a hike!

You need a 4wd diesel, rolling coal or you are screwed.

....or your choice of old a-- Subaru and a bag of either kine bud or schwag depending on your preference.

I went all over Colorado in the summers using a '98 2 wd Dodge.

If I can make it from Houston to Meeker along the I-25 & 70 corridors in a 4 banger Yaris....you can do it.

BradMtn346 said:

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I live in Colorado. I try to never use my 4wd.

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Where in CO do you live?

Buck Compton said:

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Yeah, 4wd is a nice to have, but most inexperienced drivers get in trouble in the mountains due to brake overuse more than they do because of snow. Use engine braking to limit speed where you can on down slopes instead of riding your brakes.

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Yeah, and tires are just as important when the weather gets bad.