Durango to Montrose

A summer time hazard no one has mentioned is mud slides. This past summer after a long day of riding our atv's in Govenors Basin and Yankee Boy near Ouray, we were held up from getting back to Silverton where our 5th wheel was set up out at Eureka. We ran into a road blocked by a mud slide at about 5pm that was about 6'high by 2-300'wide. It turned out that it was one of 3 across 550 between Ouray and Silverton. As those familiar to the area will know, the alternative route is about a 5-6 hrs. drive. Hats off to the highway dept. who had equipment on site w/i an hour claering the mud. We waited it out and finally got to Silverton about 1am. As has been said, the mountains are beautiful but dangerous in many ways. You have to be on guard and prepared.

Back to the question....I will drive my dully and atv trailer between Silverton and Ouray but will not pull my 38' 5th wheel w/ atv trailer on that section. Durango into Silverton is all the mountain road I want with my rig. It's not the pulling.....it's the stopping part that's scary!