Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
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Oops, sorry. I got caught up in the conversation as opposed to the subject. Durango to Silverton is not a bad drive. Yes, the worst part of Red Mountain Pass is just south of Ouray for about 5-6 miles.
Lauren - DW Barbara - "Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 with TrailAir
2006 Chev 3500 3LT Ext Cab 4x4 360HP Dmax 6 Spd Allie
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goin2themountains
Aztec, NM
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Joined: 04/04/2007
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Lived on both sides of the passes, and drive them regularly. There is currently work being done on the North side of Coal Bank, and it's one lane with portable stop lights set up. Last few years, the State has done a lot of work on the North side of Molas, but other than wayyy back when the put the snowshed on the Ouray side of Red Mtn., that piece of road looks the same as it did 30 years ago. I never have had problems pulling my 5er over the passes, and agree it is one of the most beautiful areas of CO. I will take Lizard head if slides are running on the Red, or as a couple years ago, Coal Bank Hill was closed several times during heavy snows. If all else fails one can head out through Slickrock. I actually feel with the prevalence of diesels in RV's, going over the passes on 550 is much easier today than it was 20 years ago. You don't get stuck behind that laboring gasser at 5mph near as much, and the Idarado mine has closed so no more loaded ore trucks heading North down Red Mtn. pass.
Puller: '04 HD2500 4x4 SB,EC Duramax/Allison. Airaid intake, 4in. exhaust turbo back, ORU leveler.
Pullee: '02 Keystone Cougar 276EFS Reese 16k w/ slider.
(map is for current 5er only)
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hotpepperkid
Chino Hills CA
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One thing I have found out reading these forums and talking to people in camp grounds that a small percentage of people participate in forums of any kind. The one thing you find out is every possible thing that can go wrong. Its obvious that it isn't as bad as some protary it to be. The camp grounds in Silverton are nearly full and will be full over the 4th of July. The got there some how they just didn't fall out of the sky to get there. The greater percentage are large vehicles. The few people I talked to here didn't seam to have a problem with the road. It couldn't be any worse than driving down the Cajon Pass in So Cal at 85 and have only a few feet between the guy in front and back of you and I know that would scare the, out of those who think 3 car is a a traffic jam. And people wad it up there every day.
hpk
2000 Ford F-350 SRW 4X4 PSD 28' Prowler 50 gal X-ferflow in the bed tank. Banks big exhaust and Stinger kit.
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Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
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A lot of them do not come in from the north.
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Hot pepper - you say you are in Silverton, came from Durango right? Then you have not yet done the tough part - Silverton north to Ouray. Until you have do not claim it as a piece of cake. Watch out for those asphalt haulers - they tend to take the whole road like they own it - and they do!
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2001 Silverado 2500HD shortbed
wonderful lifetime travelling companion/spouse
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cruzgal
Arklahoma or somewhere warm/cool
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To be honest, I'd rather be on the Million Dollar Highway going the posted speed limit than on a 10-lane freeway with cars and trucks in all lanes going 70 mph! But everyone's comfort level is different in varying circumstances--and sometimes you don't know where that comfort level ends until you get there!
goin2themountains...where is Slickrock?
"Time passes but memories remain"
Fulltime since Jan. 2004
40' Allegro Zephyr
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hotpepperkid
Chino Hills CA
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cruiserjs wrote:Hot pepper - you say you are in Silverton, came from Durango right? Then you have not yet done the tough part - Silverton north to Ouray. Until you have do not claim it as a piece of cake. Watch out for those asphalt haulers - they tend to take the whole road like they own it - and they do!
Well today I did the Silverton to Ouray part. Although it was different than from Durango to Silverton. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be from reading about it here. We were stopped a couple of times and waited for a pilot car. The asphalt haulers were very good. Listened to them on the CB and they would tell each other what around the next corner such as camper and a jeep ect. The camper was me. They all took the corners wide and didn't cheat. Lot of tight switch backs at 15 MPH. There are some drop offs but as long as you don't pantic and just pay attention to the road and not sight see its fine. Since the speed limit was 25 or less in most places I just puller her down into low and very seldom had to touch the brakes. I would not hessated to take the road again if I need to haul the trailer between those points. Its such a nice area of CO I might come back again next year. We say two deer cross the street in down town Ouray as we came through. Ya al have fun ya hre.
hpk
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grey`eagle
N31° 55’ W95° 30’ ----- ESE of One Tree, TX
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hotpepperkid wrote: Well today I did the Silverton to Ouray part.
Glad you made it OK - Just don't get complacent and let your guard down.
For every one like you, there are 10,000 white knucklers (as we call them in my profession) that will either panic or use bad judgment and cause a serious problem.
The state of CO didn't put that monument on Red Mountain Pass because they didn't have anything else better to do with their signs.
'04 F-250 PSD TV
'04 CF28CK Cruiser
Now enjoying mother earth at ground level and one mile per minute.
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NGRRFan
Colo. Spgs., CO
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grey`eagle wrote:The state of CO didn't put that monument on Red Mountain Pass because they didn't have anything else better to do with their signs. No... they put the monument there to honor all the snowplow drivers that have lost their lives keeping Red Mountain Pass open during the winter.
Rich, Kim, and
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Colo. Spgs. CO
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hotpepperkid
Chino Hills CA
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grey`eagle wrote:hotpepperkid wrote: Well today I did the Silverton to Ouray part.
Glad you made it OK - Just don't get complacent and let your guard down.
For every one like you, there are 10,000 white knucklers (as we call them in my profession) that will either panic or use bad judgment and cause a serious problem.
The state of CO didn't put that monument on Red Mountain Pass because they didn't have anything else better to do with their signs.
Im sure being complacent and leting your guard down cause most probems even on flat land. Im tired after a days drive. I not only drive my own rig but everyone elses on the road. I know that road isnt for everyone. I even know someone who would have a hard time walking that road much less drive it on even ride in a car. If she was my wife I blind fold her and put her in the trunk well not really but its not a lot of fun to have her in the car in the mountains.
hpk
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