dgo1369
Georgetown, TX, US
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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Can I drive my car on this trip as opposed to taking the train/bus?
Dennis Osha
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4huskers
Texas
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Joined: 06/14/2005
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Sure, just pay attention to your driving. It's a beautiful drive and there are turn out so you can stop. If you haven't taken the train you should consider it.
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rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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This is a fun route to drive and "Chase" the train. This also will allow you more time in Silverton. You should consider riding the train also. It's a great trip.
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coptalker
Western Colorado
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One of the more beautiful areas of Colorado. The road is usually in pretty good condition. As with the high mountains, severe weather can happen any time, so watch the forcasts. If the roads get snowy, you don't want to make a mistake on Highway 550. For even more fun, continue on to Ouray, one of the most beautiful towns and settings in Colorado. You'll love the trip, just be careful!
Welcome to Colorado!
Glen
2004 Dutchmen 27BG, Rocky Mountain Elk Edition
2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 8.1/Ally
2 boys, 11 & 14
a friendly black lab
a couple of decks of cards
a cold beer
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Yes you can. And with your car, you can explore up as far as Animas Forks (with a little care), a great little ghost town, with several other old mines and mining communities along the way. Be warned, once the trains leave for the day, many of the shops close up early.
Ken & Allison
1 Camping Cat (diabetic), 1 non-camping cat
1996 4Runner TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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You can but if you can afford it take the bus up and the train back. The reason is that it is about a 45 minute bus ride and a three hour train ride. The bus driver also had good information that you wouldn't get by yourself.
As I remember it is about a three hour layover in Silverton which is plenty.
If you take the bus, immediately upon arrival head for a restaurant for lunch because shortly after that the train arrives and a hoard (herd?) of people get off the bus and head for the same restaurants.
* This post was
edited 05/14/08 10:27am by Dick_B *
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
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big dave
Soldotna, Alaska, USA
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Taking the train in both directions is too much train though. 
Yes you can drive it, it's not a bad mountain highway.
Dave & Rose C
90 Safari Ivory 34' DP
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egh33
Henrietta,Texas
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Couple of years ago, we took the MH with Jeep in tow and from Durango then got to Silverton all the camp grounds were full, so we along with 2 other parties we went out of town a little ways and dry parked beside a stream next to a waterfall, Then took the Jeep up to Maggie's Gulch and over too Ouray over the "Million dollar highway". Spent almost a week, had a wonderful time.
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goin2themountains
Aztec, NM
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As other posters have said, sure you can take your car, however you will not be in the same drainage as the railroad. The train mostly follows the Animas River to Durango, and the highway is a couple of ridges to the West. It still is one of the most beautiful drives in the country though, IMO, and it's well worth it to go on over Red Mountain down to Ouray to soak in the hot springs pool.
Puller: '04 HD2500 4x4 SB,EC Duramax/Allison. Airaid intake, 4in. exhaust turbo back, ORU leveler.
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maddog348
Bakersfield,CA
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Just took train up & bus back YESTERDAY. Beautiful we were in gondola car 'RioGrande' about 2/3 way up started to snow -just a little- but it got quite nippy. Too snowy in town to do much sight seeing in our short time there. Had a great lunch. Bus is considerably faster - but train is prettier. Can't see much from the bus unless you are 6 1/2 - 7 foot tall or sit in the very front seat. Have fun!!!
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