Travel to OURAY, CO

[dames7]

Looking at going to OURAY, CO in a few weeks, who can tell me the best way to go from Phoenix, AZ which is not a white knuckle drive for our 25ft AS.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by dames7

Looking at going to OURAY, CO in a few weeks, who can tell me the best way to go from Phoenix, AZ which is not a white knuckle drive for our 25ft AS.

I'm not sure what your definition of white knuckle is, but I'd avoid 550, the million dollar highway.
Unless you choose I-15 into Utah or I-25 into Colorado, long way, then IMO, you have two choices, about the same "White Knuckle" factor.
1. From Cortez, pick up 145 north towards Telluride. Before you get to Telluride, you'll veer towards Sawpit and Hwy 62 into Ridgway and Ouray.
2. From Cortez, go east on 160 to South Fork and then 149 north to Blue Mesa reservoir, then 50 west to Montrose and south to Ouray.

Both ways have a mountain pass, but I recall they are about the same, curvy two lane roads in good condition, up and down. Just take your time.

To avoid all mountain passes, get to I-70 in Grand junction and go south on 50 through Montrose. But I'd take one of the two ways I mentioned.
I loved Ouray, Ridgway and that whole area.

[TravlinMan]

I am on my way to ouray right now from Grand junction. I am not going past ouray, as I hear it is a white knuckled drive south of it, but I'm hearin comin in from the north will be ok. I'm at a mighty fine boondocking spot in the dominguez-escalante blm area and should be in ouray by Sunday. I will report back.

[dames7]

Thanks

[OTRA15]

You might be interested in reading the recent posts on TravlinMan's thread

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...go-166490.html

. . . incl. Post #23 where other threads about that region are linked.

Have fun!

Cheers,

Peter

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by TravlinMan

I am on my way to ouray right now from Grand junction. I am not going past ouray, as I hear it is a white knuckled drive south of it, but I'm hearin comin in from the north will be ok. I'm at a mighty fine boondocking spot in the dominguez-escalante blm area and should be in ouray by Sunday. I will report back.

The road from Grand Junction to Ouray is a piece of cake. South of Ouray, it becomes a white knuckle, although semi's drive it for deliveries, it's a nice two lane, but no guardrails and dramatic drop offs. I love the view, but as one local asked me, "Have you ever hit a guardrail?" "No." "Then you didn't need it!"

[polarlyse]

Don't let peoples opinion of the road between Ouray and Durango deter you. It's a spectacular drive. If trucks and busses can do it every day you (WE) can too. Stay a day or 2 in Ouray and take the drive without your trailer and then later when you make it with it there will be less stress.

[TravlinMan]

I'm staying several days in Ouray so I can explore without the trailer, including that million dollar drive.

[polarlyse]

If you have a 4x4 don't be shy. Get off the road and try some of the trails in the mountains. Beware, some of them are recommended ONLY by Jeep size vehicles but many others are more easily navigable by larger ones. Talk to some locals and get some advise of those to avoid. You won't be sorry. It's a spectacular area to go exploring.

My daughter-in-law's brother has an Italian restaurant in Staunton. I plan to linger in the area one of my trips and do some exploring. A lot of great history there.

[TravlinMan]

Can I delete my post with the mobile app?

[TravlinMan]

Very much agree. Currently exploring several miles of dirt road in the Dominguez escalante area and it is beautiful. Quite rutted and rocky in places, but my 2500 has the power wagon package, which was the best I could do for off-road with this giant wheelbase!

You will enjoy Staunton, what is the name of the restaurant? There is very good food in Staunton for such a small town.

[TravlinMan]

Also it's 103 degrees in the trailer and I have a rattlesnake as a neighbor but I am surprisingly comfortable.

[Tronadora]

We went through there just two weeks ago. Going north from Durango was really pretty and Silverton is a real treat to see. The only white knuckle part is just the few miles south of Ouray and when going north you are on the mountain side of the roadway so not too intimidating. None of it is so scary that it should cause you to miss it. Bessie did just fine too.

Ouray is now on our must go back and stay list. We drove through the 4J+1+1 RV Park there and that's where we'd try and stay. Easy walk into town. Attached is a pic taken just above Ouray and some other scenes between Ouray and Silverton you've got to see. Late morning was a good time for the lighting....

[TravlinMan]

That is great to know, I am staying at 4j+1+1 for a week and the lady I reserved with was as sweet and nice as can be, I am lookin for it to be a nice week. Those pictures are beautiful. Thank you.

[polarlyse]

It's Fresco on Churchill ave. we've only had the pizza there but it's a good New York style Enjoy your jaunt on the trails. A PW should do almost as good as my F350. Just watch the downhill side

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by TravlinMan

I am on my way to ouray right now from Grand junction. I am not going past ouray, as I hear it is a white knuckled drive south of it, but I'm hearin comin in from the north will be ok. I'm at a mighty fine boondocking spot in the dominguez-escalante blm area and should be in ouray by Sunday. I will report back.

Instead of 50 south into Montrose, consider taking 141 from just south of Grand Junction to come out around Ridgway. It's simply beautiful, historic (the hanging flume) a great road, and almost untraveled.
80 miles of a canyon housing the Delores river.

Since you're in Ouray for a day or two take a jeep tour up to Imogene pass. Yes, a "road" built to supply the mines in the 1880's. I chickened out numerous times on my motorcycle, but I loved it so much I kept coming back. Finally took the Jeep tour and enjoyed every second, even the pass at 13,114'.

[TravlinMan]

Thank you, Mollysdad, Im considering taking 141 to Ridgway but, since I may be traveling that route on Sunday, and it is father's day, I may change my plan as Verizon's coverage map shows nothin along the length of 141 and I don't wanna miss a call from my son, who's my one and only child! Well, he's a man I suppose but he'll always be my child.

But I will get over to 141 somehow. It looks like this dirt road I'm on right now may lead me all the way to gateway through Dominguez canyon..... maybe.....

I appreciate y'alls advice, it is very helpful.

[davidrrand]

Camped at Ridgeway for about a week late Sept. last year. Awesome fall scenery around Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Ridgeway. Don't sweat the Million Dollar Hwy and don't miss it. We left Ridgeway around 10/1 because the temps were dropping below freezing and drove over the passes in light snow and 30+ hour winds. Just took it slow and enjoyed the scenery. Was warmer in NM and was back in NW GA a few days later.
Great trip and enjoy!

Dave

[mrdfred]

Go to Ouray on 550 out of Durango. The "white knuckle" part will be going uphill. Much less scary than down hill. I lived in Durango and enjoyed going to Silverton and Ouray many times. Your "white knuckle" tolerance will be somewhat less if you do the most curvy part going uphill !

[davidlparker]

Originally Posted by dames7

Looking at going to OURAY, CO in a few weeks, who can tell me the best way to go from Phoenix, AZ which is not a white knuckle drive for our 25ft AS.

I lived in Colorado for about 28 years and traveled all over the state. The absolute best route is for you to go to Grand Junction, CO and from there south through Delta, then Montrose and on to Ouray. If you go to Durango, you will have "white knuckles" and a test of your skills and the mechanical function of your tow vehicle. Red Mountain is not for the faint of heart.

Good luck.

David Parker
1993 Excella
1989 Dodge D-350