West Silverton to Ouray, Colorado: the 550 Highway

[Mikebrady62]

I have made that trip on my bicycle a couple times. I think I might be slower pulling my AS. There are some fun spots without any guardrail and the painted marker line is falling off the cliff. You are so right, that is a long way down!

[daytripper]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

Highly recommend Cayton NF Campground on Lizard Head Pass. Eighteen sites offer electric hookups. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.

The campground is situated near the banks of the Dolores River, in a grassy meadow surrounded by fir and aspen trees. At an elevation of 9,400 feet, campers should expect cool evenings.

Thank you! I'll keep that in mind on my next trip down that way!

[Ray Eklund]

Found a 'vintage' Ouray photograph while towing our 2006 23 foot Safari.

From memory... Ouray has not changed, but my memory has.

The third photo was the camping area to the South on 9-25-2011. That was described earlier on this Thread. You will note... we were the ONLY people and Blue Heeler there. So... if you find Summer busy... try September. Toss the Heelers into the small creek aka river and say Ahhhhh.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by jaybauman

We just white-knuckled the Million Dollar Highway last weekend.
Earlier in the day I rented a Jeep and did the Alpine Loop and Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass. As a flatlander with little off-roading experience, this was fun and challenging and nerve-racking. So why do we do these things to ourselves? Quite simply, the scenery. You can't see anything like these places unless you get off road and trust the Jeep will know how to keep the rubber side down--even when 1 or 2 wheels are in the air and it's 1000 feet straight down the side. 8 hours (and a change of underwear) later, we were safely back towing the Airstream.

After all the Jeeping, Highway 550 (with that immaculately-maintained tarmac paving!) was a breeze. If you're anywhere near Durango, this is a must-do.

There's a trail over Imogene Pass (11,114') that I've attempted numerous times on a dual sport motorcycle. I've chickened out every time.
My heart gets pounding and I can see how people die on these "roads". This road was carved in the 1880's for mules to haul provisions to the mines. The road runs between Ouray and Telluride. It's 17 miles. The highway around the mountain is 65 miles. I've tried it from both ends. I can't do it. I finally took a jeep tour over Imogene pass and it was wonderful, although there's a few "Oh, no" moments there too. Like when two jeeps meet and your tires are 6" from the edge and a 400' drop off.
This is the 'good' part.

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

There's a trail over Imogene Pass (11,114') that I've attempted numerous times on a dual sport motorcycle. I've chickened out every time.
My heart gets pounding and I can see how people die on these "roads". This road was carved in the 1880's for mules to haul provisions to the mines. The road runs between Ouray and Telluride. It's 17 miles. The highway around the mountain is 65 miles. I've tried it from both ends. I can't do it. I finally took a jeep tour over Imogene pass and it was wonderful, although there's a few "Oh, no" moments there too. Like when two jeeps meet and your tires are 6" from the edge and a 400' drop off.
This is the 'good' part.

If you drive the Jeep trails like I do (i.e. s-l-o-w-l-y), the 65-mile roundabout will take far less time than the 17 miles of OMGs.

[losfeliz]

Drove through there about 6 weeks ago and had a huge mountain lion leap out of the trees on the passenger side and run across the road near the top of one of the passes south of Ouray. No chance for a picture (or braking!). It was beautiful!

[SilverCabin]

Back in 1967, when I was a lot younger and less experienced than I am now, I drove it in the DARK! All I saw was my headlights lighting up waterfalls, then empty space, then cliff faces, then.... We made it safely to Durango at about 2:00 a.m. My wife wouldn't speak to me for days.

Randy

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by SilverCabin

Back in 1967, when I was a lot younger and less experienced than I am now, I drove it in the DARK! All I saw was my headlights lighting up waterfalls, then empty space, then cliff faces, then.... We made it safely to Durango at about 2:00 a.m. My wife wouldn't speak to me for days.

Randy

******
Have her follow the map and navigate while you drive. It works for me. Nancy knows where we ARE on the map... and I make up how to get somewhere else that is NOT. It is a diversion that works.

I do wear Sun Glasses driving the 550. Not the same, is it?

That highway we have not tried at night... and I think we will pass the opportunity if it ever presents itself. Good story.

[rbs]

Definitely take a day to soak in the hot springs in Ouray, don't know what minerals are in the water, but it sure revitalized me.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by rbs

Definitely take a day to soak in the hot springs in Ouray, don't know what minerals are in the water, but it sure revitalized me.

****
Magic of the Internet:

This year-round hot springs, most noteworthy, has been operating since 1927. It is certainly large, holding 750,000 gallons of sulfur-free mineral water. Similarly, other great minerals also include iron, manganese, zinc, fluoride, and potassium.

Also try Saratoga, Wyoming hot spring. It is HOT in the Winter and hotter in the Summer. Right in town, as well and the last time we drove through this Summer... we did not recognize where it was and headed up the headwaters of the North Platte...

[Mollysdad]

One year, my riding buddy came down while I was in the Ouray area. We motorcycled everywhere, and he was new to the area. So we went to Durango via Wolf Creek pass through Lake City and on to Durango. We did the train loop (OMG! Fantastic!) then came back to the RV via the Million Dollar Highway. Unfortunately everything takes longer and we rode in the dark. When we arrived back at the RV his first words were "What the H**L did we just do?" "I want to see it in the daylight." That led to many trips between Ouray and Silverton on the bikes. Awesome!

[Dick tracy]

did it in a 40' class a. was more difficult on the wife looking over the edge, I was fine. If a semi can do you, so can I. Beautiful area, loved both Silverton and Ouray

[JoeMullins]

My wife and I drove Ouray to Durango with our ‘59 Globetrotter 18. It is the most incredible short drives we have ever done. Well worth doing at least once. That was our first time but we will likely do it again heading north rather than south.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Dick tracy

did it in a 40' class a. was more difficult on the wife looking over the edge, I was fine. If a semi can do you, so can I. Beautiful area, loved both Silverton and Ouray

*****
I will follow you anywhere!

Those with no stomach for vertical drops of a thousand feet, more or less... can do an option.

If you drive past Ouray and South to Durango, along the 550, you will be driving on the 'inside lane'. Probably a compromise if anyone traveling with you may become nervous with Attitude Sickness. You just need to watch oncoming traffic moving into your lane on the curves.

If you drive to Ouray from Durango, from the South, the passenger is hanging over the guard rails and will be fixated on the steep vertical drop into the canyon.

You choose. We do both ways so both driver and passenger get some experience. Some stop at some of the pullouts scattered for photo opportunities to strengthen the knees, as they are a bit wobbly if this is your first opportunity.

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

... photo opportunities to strengthen the knees, as they are a bit wobbly if this is your first opportunity.

Knees are wobbly for the first opportunity...and the 2nd and the 3rd and the 4th and...I never get used to that road.

[TouringDan]

Thanks for this thread Ray.

I was on my way to Telluride to go skiing with my oldest son (5 years ago). I was driving my new VW Golf, 2wd, and I was in heaven. My youngest son is very familiar with Colorado and so he sent my on the scenic route heading north on 550 from Durango to Ouray. The only problem is that it was in the middle of a snowstorm! Traffic was minimal as I only saw two cars and two snow plows. I stopped to take a photo and the snow plow driver told me I shouldn’t stop. I told him that I was fine as I wouldn’t get stuck as I was heading downhill. He told me that I didn’t understand. I shouldn’t stop because I WAS IN AN AVALANCHE ZONE. I sheepishly drove on and made it to Ouray and then to Telluride fine. It was a huge snowstorm! I went on the internet the next day to find out more about the road that I had just driven in a snowstorm and found out that it had been closed down the previous evening by an avalanche about an hour or so after I had driven it. Yikes!

I look forward to driving 550 in the summer with our Airstream in tow and camping at some of the wonderful sites along this road.

Dan

[AdvToaster]

I’ve driven that route a few times lately. It’s “exciting” towing the 30’er.

Took the Ram over Ophir pass last week while we were staying in Ouray too. You want some tight road...

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

*****
I will follow you anywhere!

Those with no stomach for vertical drops of a thousand feet, more or less... can do an option.

If you drive past Ouray and South to Durango, along the 550, you will be driving on the 'inside lane'. Probably a compromise if anyone traveling with you may become nervous with Attitude Sickness. You just need to watch oncoming traffic moving into your lane on the curves.

If you drive to Ouray from Durango, from the South, the passenger is hanging over the guard rails and will be fixated on the steep vertical drop into the canyon.

You choose. We do both ways so both driver and passenger get some experience. Some stop at some of the pullouts scattered for photo opportunities to strengthen the knees, as they are a bit wobbly if this is your first opportunity.

Ray,
If you head south from Ouray the canyon will be on the right so you would be on the outside lane, correct?

[Mikebrady62]

I was riding my Dirt bike between Crested Butte and Marble along Crystal River Rd (HWY 3 / 317) and there were some challenging spots for me. When we came up on a guy pulling a teardrop trailer with a full 8' bed Ram 2500. He had the road blocked in both directions and if it wasn't for all the bike riders and people driving rock crawlers, he could very well still be there. He said he had done it before with a shorter wheel base truck and without the camper, so he thought he would give it a go. It was definitely a NO GO! But I do admire his willingness to give it try. For all of us involved in helping him out by moving boulders and placing boulders in the perfect spot for him, added to the fun of our adventure too. I just hope no one was in a hurry that day.
Here is a picture after the trailer was pulled out of the way by another Land Cruiser but the truck is still stuck.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by AdvToaster

Took the Ram over Ophir pass last week while we were staying in Ouray too. You want some tight road...

Ophir was on my list for the dual sport KLR. Never did go. Did you know that Nikola Tesla almost burned Ophir to the ground while developing his DC powered street lights?
Ophir Pass with snow. Nope, nope, nope.