Durango to Montrose via 550-got an updated report?

[Alan & Jan]

We have a contract on the house so we should be FT by end of May 2021. I bought RVtripwizard for planner (if you have a better choice-please advise). We would like to take our 3701 from Durango to Montrose CO on hwy550. I found an 8 year old thread about the steepness and no guardrails but no one addressed the Ouray tunnel reputed to be 13'9" at (I assume) its peak. Our 5ver specs state its 13'4" which for this country boy is a bit close for comfort. 5" aint a bunch of play especially on the arc and elevation, etc possibly impacting inflation and thus height. If no issue, would prefer to see the gorgeous view from this route again but, will err on the safe vs sorry side w/another route if any question. Your personal experience w/a tall and long rig appreciated. See my signature for our toys.

[CADman_KS]

I've been on that highway a lot, on motorcycles, and if the Ouray tunnel is where I'm thinking, while it might only be 13'9" at the peak, it's a fairly wide tunnel, so I don't think you'll have any issues there. There are semis on that road, although, not that many.

Be very careful on that highway. There are places on that road that are literally ZERO shoulder, and a 1000' down. There is a LINE, and the edge, and down. It is beautiful scenery there for sure. Unfortunately, the driver doesn't get to see any of it, because their concentration MUST be on the road.

Good luck, and safe travels!!!

[Theunz]

I have not driven that road, but bridges and tunnels are marked with minimum height.

[Alan & Jan]

thanks for the signage input

[Alan & Jan]

I drove that rode with a 10' hunting trailer about 30 years ago. I recall it was pretty much white knuckle then and Im that much older now. Guess I will plot a new course. Thanks for your input.

[BB_TX]

Sign says 13'-9". It is arched. If you stay in the center it appears it would be no problem.


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Location..._Colorado.html

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Sign says 13'-9". It is arched. If you stay in the center it appears it would be no problem.


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Location..._Colorado.html

It's also not very long, and if you need to, you can wait to take up the center. You can see both sides at the same time...

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Alan & Jan

I drove that rode with a 10' hunting trailer about 30 years ago. I recall it was pretty much white knuckle then and Im that much older now. Guess I will plot a new course. Thanks for your input.

It would definitely be white knuckle driving for sure, and I don't think that I would want to do it.

I've driven that road IN THE RAIN on a motorcycle, and I was never so glad to get off of a road, as I was that day. It was absolutely terrifying...

[BB_TX]

Its been many many years since we last drove it, not towing. An incredibly beautiful drive. Although most of the trip it was "Bill, keep your eyes on the road!"

The year after we drove it, a friend did the same. And there was a section where the highway, from the center line out, had slid off into the gorge. At one of the deepest drop offs on the highway!

[Hornet28]

Sounds like a route with beautiful scenery.

Right in the middle of the whole damn show
Was a real nice tunnel
Now wouldn't you know
Sign says clearance to the 12-foot line
But the chickens was stacked to 13-nine
Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred-and-ten
Like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen
We took that top row of chickens off
Slicker than scum off a Louisiana swamp

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Hornet28

Sounds like a route with beautiful scenery.

Right in the middle of the whole damn show
Was a real nice tunnel
Now wouldn't you know
Sign says clearance to the 12-foot line
But the chickens was stacked to 13-nine
Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred-and-ten
Like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen
We took that top row of chickens off
Slicker than scum off a Louisiana swamp

LOL! I haven't heard that C.W. McCall song in forever! I had to go and listen to it again!!!

[Cbrez]

We wanted to drive that route last year but the sheriff in Silverton wouldn’t allow any non-residents to pass thru town (COVID), so we detoured around Silverton to the west. Route 145. Ended up being a blessing because Priest Gulch was one of the nicest campgrounds we stayed at on our trip. Our site backed right up to the Dolores river. Nothing close by, so if you go there stock up on whatever you need before you get there.

https://priestgulch.com/

[scottz]

We live in the area, and have driven the route numerous times with the Montana; Silverton is our favorite place to camp. No problem with the tunnels (two short ones). The road is narrow, but not a problem. I drive it summer and winter pulling large trailers. However, drop offs are steep, if you have problems with heights, it is probably not for you.

I always call the Colorado road trip before heading out; the road can be closed due to winter conditions, rock slides or avalanche control. (303) 639-1111 opt 1, 550#.

An alternate route is CO 145 to Telluride, CO 62 to Montrose. It is about 65 miles longer. The scenery on this route is also fantastic, but not as great as Hwy 550. Either route has numerous places to boondock.

PS: you don't need guard rails if you stay on the road.

[scattershot]

I know semis drive over that road, but I personally wouldn’t do it towing my 5th wheel. The comments above are not exaggerations.

Take 145 over Lizard Head Pass, then 62 I think it is to Ridgway, and you can pick up 550 from there into Montrose. It’s a beautiful drive, too, and a lot safer.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by Hornet28

Sounds like a route with beautiful scenery.

Right in the middle of the whole damn show
Was a real nice tunnel
Now wouldn't you know
Sign says clearance to the 12-foot line
But the chickens was stacked to 13-nine
Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred-and-ten
Like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen
We took that top row of chickens off
Slicker than scum off a Louisiana swamp

That CW McCall song is "Wolf Creek Pass", heading east from Durango; you get the picture but there are no low-clearance tunnels on either route. McCall's "The Silverton" is specifically about Hwy 550.

Trivia question: Who was the mayor of Ouray, Colorado (town between Durango and Montrose on Hwy 550) from 1986-1992 and still lives there? It wasn't Charlie Daniels who also lived in the area; we lost him last year.

[scottz]

If anyone wants to stop by, we'll take the jeep and run Black Bear Pass. That's exciting and will really raise the pucker factor.

[CADman_KS]

This is not my picture (from this link), and I know EXACTLY where this is. This gives a pretty good perspective on what parts of the road are like. On the outside edge, there is literally NO shoulder...

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...1&d=1617830622

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by scottz

If anyone wants to stop by, we'll take the jeep and run Black Bear Pass. That's exciting and will really raise the pucker factor.

LOL! Blackbear raises my pucker factor, even on my KTM EXC 500 dual sport. I can't handle the top, coming down "The Steps". Once I'm past that point, I'm good to go, but getting past there gives me the willies...

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by scottz

...

Trivia question: Who was the mayor of Ouray, Colorado (town between Durango and Montrose on Hwy 550) from 1986-1992 and still lives there? It wasn't Charlie Daniels who also lived in the area; we lost him last year.

I didn't know. I had to look it up. The answer's in the post.

[Hornet28]

Originally Posted by scottz

That CW McCall song is "Wolf Creek Pass", heading east from Durango; you get the picture but there are no low-clearance tunnels on either route. McCall's "The Silverton" is specifically about Hwy 550.

Trivia question: Who was the mayor of Ouray, Colorado (town between Durango and Montrose on Hwy 550) from 1986-1992 and still lives there? It wasn't Charlie Daniels who also lived in the area; we lost him last year.

I don't remember hearing "The Silverton" before. But I heard "Wolf Creek Pass" just yesterday on Sirius radio