Colorado: Ouray to Silverton to Durango

[neil.ervin]

I will be taking a two week camping trip to Colorado starting in three weeks.

I tow a 25' Safari (6500#) with a Nissan Armada.
I have no problems getting up and down the Mollogon Rim in Arizona.

Any thoughts about towing the Million Dollar highway between Ouray and Silverton and then south to Durango?

Thanks,

[Kistler]

I have no idea what your specs. are but I've done that and had no problems. Our trailer weighs about 1,000 lbs. more than yours. Low gear was good up and down. Your partner in the passenger seat may not like the view going from Ouray to Silverton, if he/she looks down

[63air]

We did it two years ago and the views are spectacular but it is not for the faint of heart when towing. This is one of the greatest drives in the US.

[mandolindave]

I still have fingernail marks on my arm. We doubled back in daylight just to drive it again. My brother lives in Durango. The local's standard advice to flatlanders is to not ride your brakes. Instead, brake to a crawl, then start again. Keep in mind that I am not mechanically versed on the topic.

[dscluchfc]

I traveled that road from Ouray to Silverton on July 3rd.
The road down from the top of the pass going towards Silverton, and from Silverton to Durango is rough in places.
I wasn't towing at the time....based in Cortez to be centered for Mea Verde, Hovenweep, and Black Canyon.....take it slow, gear down when necessary, don't ride your brakes.....you should be okay if you are not a white knuckle driver.

[safari57]

Gotta have pictures of this one. Never been there but it sounds like one I should try at some time. Of course that will ONLY happen after I am the primary driver once again as there is NO WAY I'm going to do the passenger thing with Donna at the wheel on a road like this. The pucker marks on the passenger seat material would never be repairable

Barry

[DesertStream]

Neil,

The monsoons have arrived in Western Colorado. We live in Montrose and I spoke to a friend in Ouray yesterday and she said the over the weekend there were several mudslides on 550 between Red Mountain Pass and Ouray. They actually had an ambulance that was held up on the south side of the slide. Another ambulance had to be dispatched from Ouray and they carried the patient over the slide to the waiting ambulance.

These slides are usually cleaned up fairly quickly, but be alert to the possibility. You can call for Colorado Road Conditions to make sure all is clear. The number is 1-877-315-ROAD.

Hope you enjoy the San Juan Mountains as much as we enjoy your beautiful state.

[eubank]

There are lots of roads in the west that I will drive while towing. This is not one of them. Lots of people do it, but the turkey in me prevails.

Lynn

[neil.ervin]

Thanks for everyone's help.......

[george1]

We did the million dollar highway several years ago....while we were out there we rented a 4WD Jeep and did a really pretty loop from Lake City to Silverton...it was a nail biter...but fun.