Hwy 550 from Montrose, CO to Durango, CO

Lauren wrote:
We just spent a week in Ouray. We were on Red Mountain Pass several times for my photographic efforts and just our love for it.

I am an experienced mountain driver - living in CO for 8 years and spending much time there in our rv since moving 14 years ago. I have rv'd part time for 19 years all over the west.

Based on what I saw on this trip there is no way on God's green earth I would recommend driving it with an rv. Yes, the first 3 miles or so out of Ouray are posted 25mph. Duh, no one there with radar to monitor!

And many people over the double yellow line - even coming north when they are on the inside. They come around a blind curve swinging wide.

They worked on the road a couple of years ago but still the sections of 6-12" shoulder (at times close to 0 inches), no guard rail and over the edge a few hundred feet straight down. Did I mention hills and curves as well?

For the record, I think I only saw about 3 RV's in the many hours I spent on Red Mountain Pass. And about 2 trucks. In the week we were there including Labor Day weekend and, like I said, many hours on that area.

Leaving there heading to Aztec, NM we did the usual 550/62/145 over Lizard Head Pass.

Good News - got some great images! However, we were about a week or so early for the full color. Made reservations in Ouray for next year.

On the other hand, do not miss driving it with your TV or toad if at all possible.

Be safe.

Thank you for a an intelligent, real world, been there done that, response. Wish I had a nickel for every fool I have encountered over the double yellow lines. Annoying when you are behind them, life threatening when you are coming the other way. :E

If you cannot keep all of your rig between the double yellows 100 per cent of the time you have NO business being on that road, period! The folks who proudly crow that they have driven roads like this "without a problem " have no clue where their rigs actually were in relation to the established lanes. :S