Co. highway 550 south

[Tom_Barb]

Grand Junction south to Durango on 550, any one done it in a 40' coach?

[Tom_Barb]

Busskipper wrote:


When it comes to Colorado, Ken is the best resource on the forum,

JMHO,

And we are great full for his opinion.

[Tom_Barb]

Busskipper wrote:
As Lauren says just be smart!

Check this web site as the snow is usually much heavier in the late season (Through May) so seeing actual conditions is a help. Having driven many of the Colorado passes in the winter/spring/snow, I can say they deserve your utmost respect.

JMHO,

That web site is a big help.

[Busskipper]

4runnerguy wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
If this truly is the Highway I see it as no more problem as the north cascade highway. Not a fast road for sure.. but it is better than Highway 2 east out of Wenatchee Wa Curvey and heavy traffic to Waterville. and a whole lot better than Shell Canyon Wy. Or the road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

When we drive this road, we generally do it at the speed shown in this video 😉

No, none of the roads you've mentioned are anything at all like US 550. Highway 2 isn't even in the same league. I can't think of anything going out to the Grand Canyon that is remotely the same. And CA 1 south of Leggett has some switchbacks, but no place to head over a 500' cliff.

Have you driven the Beartooth Highway NE out of Yellowstone? Many fear that route, but it has guardrails. It's not necessarily the grades nor the curvatures that scare people on US 550. It's the wall of rock to one side and a sheer cliff of hundreds of feet on the other with no guardrail. The hardest part may be meeting people coming the other way who are so scared they take their half of the road out of the middle!

That being said, thousands of RV's take that route every year. Many have a trailer of ATV's behind them. Semi's drive that route too (but it's not a main trucking route, most will detour around unless it's local deliveries. But all of these RV and semi drivers are real comfortable with mountain driving. If you are, then I say go for it.

But do watch the weather conditions if you are thinking late April. That's still winter in the San Juan Mountains. Even if it hasn't snowed in a couple of days, melting in the day time can put water on the road that refreezes in the evening, so plan you trip sometime after mid-morning to avoid the ice.

As far as construction, I don't believe there is any going on right now. I haven't heard if there's any planned this summer, but construction just doesn't accomplish much in the winter.

When it comes to Colorado, Ken is the best resource on the forum,

JMHO,

I clicked on the video and OMG do I miss those mountains, truly almost Heaven.

Just Imagine them in Fall.

JMHO,

Busskipper

[4runnerguy]

Tom/Barb wrote:
If this truly is the Highway I see it as no more problem as the north cascade highway. Not a fast road for sure.. but it is better than Highway 2 east out of Wenatchee Wa Curvey and heavy traffic to Waterville. and a whole lot better than Shell Canyon Wy. Or the road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

When we drive this road, we generally do it at the speed shown in this video 😉

No, none of the roads you've mentioned are anything at all like US 550. Highway 2 isn't even in the same league. I can't think of anything going out to the Grand Canyon that is remotely the same. And CA 1 south of Leggett has some switchbacks, but no place to head over a 500' cliff.

Have you driven the Beartooth Highway NE out of Yellowstone? Many fear that route, but it has guardrails. It's not necessarily the grades nor the curvatures that scare people on US 550. It's the wall of rock to one side and a sheer cliff of hundreds of feet on the other with no guardrail. The hardest part may be meeting people coming the other way who are so scared they take their half of the road out of the middle!

That being said, thousands of RV's take that route every year. Many have a trailer of ATV's behind them. Semi's drive that route too (but it's not a main trucking route, most will detour around unless it's local deliveries. But all of these RV and semi drivers are real comfortable with mountain driving. If you are, then I say go for it.

But do watch the weather conditions if you are thinking late April. That's still winter in the San Juan Mountains. Even if it hasn't snowed in a couple of days, melting in the day time can put water on the road that refreezes in the evening, so plan you trip sometime after mid-morning to avoid the ice.

As far as construction, I don't believe there is any going on right now. I haven't heard if there's any planned this summer, but construction just doesn't accomplish much in the winter.

[Bipeflier]

I've ridden that road many times on my motorcycle and EVERY trip we find someone with a big coach chugging, smoking, going up the hill at a whopping 20 MPH with a mile of cars and semi's behind them.

Gong north to south is better as most of the time you are on the mountain side and your wife is not in cardiac arrest and yelling at you to the top of her lungs. A lot of northbound campers are over the center line as they are scared to death of the no-guard rail side of the road.

Can it be done? Sure but you won't be comfortable.

[Busskipper]

As Lauren says just be smart!

Check this web site as the snow is usually much heavier in the late season (Through May) so seeing actual conditions is a help. Having driven many of the Colorado passes in the winter/spring/snow, I can say they deserve your utmost respect.

JMHO,

[Lauren]

It is a matter of your comfort level with two lane mountain roads that are curvy and hilly with little to no shoulder and no guard rail in of places that drop off several hundred feet. And inexperienced drivers driving down the middle and will not budge with eyes like a deer caught in headlights. You also have some truckers who know they are far bigger and heavier than even you.

This debate has gone on for years and is divided as our wonderful US is on most things.

It is a beautiful drive but for toad or TV IMHO; just stay in your lane, please.

You might check updates on construction - last fall when we were there sections were closed during the week 8-noon and 1-5. Flat out CLOSED - traffic lined up.

[Tom_Barb]

Lauren wrote:
I lived in CO and have driven the Million Dollar Hwy (Hwy 550) many times. Never with an RV.

Simple - do NOT do it with an RV! The road (or lack of shoulder for) is testy enough but you have not control over the guy coming the other way who takes his half out of the middle and you have no place to go with your rig.

Do what my friend, Thom, says (we did it 4 times with our rig last summer / fall).

I've watched the videos on you tube I see this road no worse than several we've already been over. If this highway scares you I'd strongly advise you not use US 1 thru the redwoods.

I see a couple sweeping switchbacks but all doable with big trucks, why not a coach?

[Tom_Barb]

If this truly is the Highway I see it as no more problem as the north cascade highway. Not a fast road for sure.. but it is better than Highway 2 east out of Wenatchee Wa Curvey and heavy traffic to Waterville. and a whole lot better than Shell Canyon Wy. Or the road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

But weather concerns me this early. So we may reserve this for our return trip in late April. and do it going up hill. Lots easier on Brakes.

Our trip will start at home in Oak Harbor do a stop in San Antonio with a you turn in Pensacola and return. With as many interesting sites in route.

But just remember, the prettiest places in this nation are not along the freeway.

[Tom_Barb]

kalynzoo wrote:
DON'T DO IT!!! I drove that route once many years ago. It was later listed in the TV program Most Dangerous Highways. Even thinking about that road makes my knuckles turn white and hurt again.

And LA traffic makes me pea my pants. to each his own I guess.

[Tom_Barb]

how does it compare to the north Cascades highway #20 ? we do that with ease. 7.5 miles of 6% down grade. no shoulder.

the under construction we wouldn't like.

semi's use it? I'm sure we could. 15 mph hair pin turns?

Weather this early is a concern, I don't like slippery.

[hotpepperkid]

North to South has a lot of no guard rails, but the speed limit is 25 stick to it. If you cant stand to look out the window and not see the bottom, then DO NOT take it. There are a few 15mph hair pen turns as you approach Red Mt Pass other than that it is a beautiful drive.

[brirene]

Bottom line is if you're comfortable with mountain driving as described (correctly), there's no reason you shouldn't drive it. Lots of rv's and semis use it. If you're not comfortable, don't. Do try to take the toad at least; gorgeous scenery not to be missed.

[2gypsies1]

Yes, we've driven it multiple times with our 40' motorhome. Of course, we love mountain driving and we love staying in Silverton.

[BB_TX]

Million Dollar Highway