JOE B. Thanks for the weather update -- that is a big consideration. May have to change mind & go south(N.M.) & see more ruins.(doing MesaVerde out of Cortez before go to Durango. O-EOL
Now, thanks to YouTube, you can ride along as intrepid RVers drive the Million Dollar Highway.
Unfortunately, the clip ends just when it starts to get interesting.
The first time I ever saw Hwy 550, I was pulling our 21 ft hybrid with a Suburban. Going north from Silveton to Ouray, I remember thinking "Don't brake in the curves, just the straight portions.... Wait, it's ALL curves!!!"
Actually, we didn't have any problems, trailer and all. In a RAV 4 you should be fine. And it was definitely worth doing. It is one of the greatest scenic drives anywhere.
Re: the Durango train, you may want to think about the "train up, motor coach back" option. We found the return trip on the train to be SLOOOOOOOWWWWWW....
Craig Nold wrote: Now, thanks to YouTube, you can ride along as intrepid RVers drive the Million Dollar Highway.
Unfortunately, the clip ends just when it starts to get interesting.
This should go with every post that has a question about Rt550 – while the photographer was in pain the driver appeared to have had no problem.
While we all will have different opinions on what we should do – one thing for sure is it is a beautiful drive – SO take the DRIVE in something – as I will tell anyone I see that take it in the Toad and you decide where or not to drive the Coach or the Trailer, this is a drive I would love to take at least once week as every time you go you will see the area differently.
While this time of year is Beautiful in the Mid Atlantic I sure miss Colorado.
Enjoy the drive,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
Craig Nold wrote: Now, thanks to YouTube, you can ride along as intrepid RVers drive the Million Dollar Highway.
Unfortunately, the clip ends just when it starts to get interesting.
Thanks for the link, Craig. The running commentary was priceless.
Highway 550 from Durango to Silverton is almost as breathtaking. I couldn't help noticing that the Colorado Department of Transportation has taken liberties with the historic names of the two summits along that stretch of highway. When we first drove that highway in the late 60s, they were known as "Coal Bank Hill" and "Molas Divide." Neither is a true pass.
The original highway followed Lime Creek but was rerouted over Coal Bank Hill in order to bypass a narrow canyon. The new highway still follows the Lime Creek water shed and is therefore not a pass at all. (The old Lime Creek road can still be driven if you have a vehicle with high clearance but it is a little bumpy. It was last updated in the 1930s and you can still see the stone walls built by the CCC during the Great Depression.)
The highway over Molas Divide at 10, 910 feet crosses from the Animas River water shed to its tributary, Lime Creek. Our 2001 Rand McNally still shows it by the correct designation.
Here are some links to videos of Coal Bank and Molas:
Craig Nold wrote: Now, thanks to YouTube, you can ride along as intrepid RVers drive the Million Dollar Highway.
Unfortunately, the clip ends just when it starts to get interesting.
I think I would have let the passenger out after the first few minutes. Listening to that ranting the whole way would drive me up the wall. (Too bad she didn't go back in the winter when the roads were icy!) Unfortunately it doesn't seem they pulled over anywhere to sightsee and look at the scenery.
There's another video going from Ouray to Silverton here. No running commentary on this one. Note that the 45 minute trip is condesed into 10 minutes -- you don't actually drive this fast!
We drove from Silverton to Ouray in 2004. Been there, done that - too scared to buy the tee shirt - never going back.
This summer we are going to Wyoming. Plan on taking US 14 through the Bighorn mountains. Has anyone driven both US 550 and US 14(not 14A) who can compare the two? I don't mind the grades and curves but I can't deal with the drop offs right alongside the pavement.
I understand that US 16 from Buffalo to Ten Sleep is often recommended instead of US 14 but we are meeting friends at a campground in the Bighorns so we will have to drive the section of 14 from Ranchester to Burgess Junction at a minimum.
This has been on the Forum almost as many times as KOA bashing under campgrounds.
I do not recommend it for anyone driving an RV; particularly going south. If you are comforable with little to no shoulder with dropoffs of hundreds of feet on a curvy and hilly road - go for it. Best advice was already given - drive it in a tv or toad first; then make your personal decision.
I have driven it several times and am a reasonably good mountain driver - would never take my 5er over it.
Be safe.
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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