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06-04-2021, 10:34 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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550 vs. 145 (Durango to Ridgway)
I've driven 550 via Silverton and Ouray often enough to know that I'm not really interested in traveling that route any more, especially now that I'm a "solo traveler." And time of no particular consequence to me.
So what do you think about doing the end-around to go via Dolores and (past) Telluride to get to Ridgway? How does the route compare to 550? I lived for quite a while in western Colorado, but somehow never drove that route.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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06-04-2021, 12:51 PM
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#2
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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I've driven both towing my 30'. I really didn't find 550 all that stressful. But regardless, the round about way is a beautiful, easy drive. Make sure you stop in Telluride it's a great little town to explore!
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06-04-2021, 03:56 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2009 25' FB Classic
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 849
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We have done both routes. I love the 145 route over Lizards Head Pass is less stressful for me than down 550.
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Bob & Julie # 5587, 4CU in AZ
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06-04-2021, 06:19 PM
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#4
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Lived in Durango for 15 years...Lizard Head Pass is less stressful than 550 between Silverton and Ouray. A liitle longer but hey, the scenery is great either way.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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06-05-2021, 06:29 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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Super duper! I think I'll do that route!
Thank you for the info!
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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06-05-2021, 08:32 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Julie-Bob
We have done both routes. I love the 145 route over Lizards Head Pass is less stressful for me than down 550.
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This area was my motorcycle vacation spot for years.
I agree. But, the white knuckle part of 550 is the last five miles before Ouray. The rest is pretty tame (But I wouldn't tow there.) The road is nice, but diminishing radius turns, semi-trucks coming the other way, no guardrails, and the mountain itself is darn close to leaving a mark.
I'm a flatlander, but no matter how many times I've taken 550 it still takes my breadth away.
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06-05-2021, 09:24 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Mesquite
, Nevada
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 171
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145 from Dolores to Telluride and Ridgway is also known as the San Juan Skyway because it is beautiful, many writers name it as a top ten motorcycle road. There are several nice campgrounds on the route including Priest Gulch, Dolores River and Cayton cg all on the Dolores river.
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06-05-2021, 09:46 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' International
Quartz Hill
, California
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 356
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Over Lizard Head Pass to Ridgeway has always been my preferred route.
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06-05-2021, 10:03 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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I drove both about two weeks ago. They were both clear and easy, but I fully understand the desire to skip the Million Dollar Highway when pulling a trailer or driving a motor home.
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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06-05-2021, 04:08 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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It gets worse when you travel alone, believe me. No more second set of eyes. Sure, driving just the car, I wouldn't hestitate, but just don't want the stress of 550 while driving the Interstate and towing the car.
Lynn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis C
I drove both about two weeks ago. They were both clear and easy, but I fully understand the desire to skip the Million Dollar Highway when pulling a trailer or driving a motor home.
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ACI Big Red Number 21043
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06-05-2021, 05:23 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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I completely understand.
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Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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06-06-2021, 02:56 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2003 28' Classic
Stillwater
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 87
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Don't miss the old hanging flume that still exists in places
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06-06-2021, 06:14 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2014 22' FB Sport
Arlington
, Washington
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 23
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Did the entire loop 2 weeks ago. Durango to Silverton to Ooray, Ridge, Telluride to Delores and back to Durango. Should have stopped at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The train from Durango to Silverton did not run all the way until memorial day. Easy drive Telluride to Delores. White knuckle from Silverton to Ooray. I found Southern Colorado does not believe in guard rails or shoulders on these souther passes.
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06-06-2021, 07:53 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1999 28' Excella
Lake Mary
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 255
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Less vehicles per hour on 145. If you have tire or mechanical problems on 550 you have no shoulder so the risk factor goes way up. At the best you will cause a major traffic jam.
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06-06-2021, 08:09 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttrout
Don't miss the old hanging flume that still exists in places
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We stopped at the scenic overlook, and noticed something way down by the river. In binoculars we saw it was a car, upside down. We asked locally and somebody missed the turn and did the plunge 250' to the bottom.
I can't imagine.
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06-07-2021, 07:35 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
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1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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06-07-2021, 08:25 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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I actually thought about that, though more for the photography than for the driving.
Mountain driving per se isn't that bad; it's basically that I really dislike driving alone and towing that stretch from Silverton to Ouray.
Actually, this whole thread is a bit backwards: I'll be driving from Ridgway back towards home in NM. For the trip up there, I'm doing a major dogleg to visit a good friend in Taos (who lost his spouse shortly after I lost Maria). From there, I'll hit Gunnison and then on to Ridgway. Taking lots of time so that I have lots of time to take pics.
Lynn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J
Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
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__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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06-16-2021, 10:29 AM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2018 28' International
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 93
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I drove 145 3 to 4 nights a week for 8 years in a semi truck. I personally prefer this route over 550. It might be a little slower, but it is a really nice change. I hope you try it. Enjoy a different scenery. Safe travels.
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06-16-2021, 09:19 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
Middletown
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 159
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We've done a lot of driving in the Rockies and Sierras, but that stretch of 550 is insane. I'm surprised it's a US highway. I don't mind no guardrails, hairpin turns and steep drop-offs but 550 will definitely get your attention.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is the beautiful scenery on 62 between Placerville and Ridgeway. It is spectacular!
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06-16-2021, 11:37 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G
145 from Dolores to Telluride and Ridgway is also known as the San Juan Skyway because it is beautiful, many writers name it as a top ten motorcycle road.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J
Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
I actually thought about that, though more for the photography than for the driving.
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I just rode my motorcycle these routes last week....both are gorgeous! I kept thinking "I gotta find a place to bring the Airstream & stay awhile"...just not in the heat! Enjoy the drive or ride!
Couple of years ago I rode the Million Dollar Highway...that was a scary ride! Also an attention-getter towing...definitely a more relaxing trip through Delores/Placerville or Naturita/Moab LOTS of photo ops!
Shari
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