The Most Dangerous Road in America - The Million Dollar Highway
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2019
- The Million Dollar Highway is a spur of U.S. Highway 50, Also known as U.S. 550. The stretch from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway, but it goes by other names; such as the “Scenic Byway”. If you are being dramatic it’s referred to as the “Highway to Hell”.
The road has made its way to several large publications and most dangerous lists. Popular Mechanics ranked it Number 3 of 10of the “Most Dangerous Roadways”. It is the only road in the continental US ranked by USA Today’s list of the “World's Most Dangerous Roads”. The automotive blog RoadCrazed and the DangerousRoads.org Rank the Million Dollar Highway as the most dangerous road worldwide. If you are measuring how dangerous a road is by the number of fatal accidents that happened on it the Million Dollar Highway is the winner, with no contest. This is especially astonishing when we consider war zone roads, such as; Kabul-Jalalabad Highway (Afghanistan) and Nanga Parbat Pass (Pakistan) were included in most publications, considerations, and lists. Perhaps, the “Highway to Hell” isn’t such a bad name after all?
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Also, I grew up in Silverton, and learned to drive a semi log truck on this road.
My uncle had a sayin, if you drive the million dollar every day and survive, there's nowhere in the world you can't drive, and son, if you make a mistake up here, it WILL BE the last mistake you ever make.
Been driving 45yrs now, 4.6million mi.
Sometimes a young driver will ask what driving school I went to, I tell them Red Mountain Univ.
I never graduated, I SURVIVED.
WOW! What a great story. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and memories. "Red Mountain Univ.", love it! Thanks again and all the best!
@@DerelictDoug Your very welcome sir!
The hardest part of my(educational
curriculum) was renegade rocks, and runaway snow and erratic tourists LOL!!
Thanks again for taking me home, I miss it greatly!
Spent 2 years working that mountain with a wrecker company. Spent many a weekend 4wheeling the jeep trails all over those hills. Love it up there
@@ivanferguson2019 Yeah, I miss the Hell out of it I tell you!!
Bless you. I drove long haul 10 years, 46 and Canada. Never was on that nightmare highway. You have my respect.
We were on this road on a family vacation. My dad drove a lot for his job so the winding road with its steep drop offs didn’t bother him at all. My mom on the other hand was freaking out every time dad turned his head to talk to her. I remember her shouting at him, “Keep your eyes on the road!“ Dad turned to her and said, “You just need to do what I do when I’m nervous; I close my eyes!“ And proceeded to close his right eye. Mom never thought this was funny but I sure did 😂
😆😆😆
Sounds yer Dad was a fun guy. Funny as all get out.
💫✨ 😭🤣😳😵 💫✨
I'm upset for your mom lol
sweet. now i know i will be good. heading out on a moto from durango up in a month :)
my husband's grandpa helped build this road when they lived in Durango and although they moved away they returned to Durango when they retired. When we would visit we drove up to Ouray several times. Grandma lived to be 101 years old and spent about 50 years in her home in Durango.
I drove that highway in July 2019. Being from Massachusetts, I had no knowledge of its dangerousness until I was in it. Absolutely terrifying. I simply could not believe they would build a road with no shoulder or guardrails along that sheer cliff. So easy to lose your life. The magnificent scenery could be the distraction that sends you off the cliff and out into eternity.
That was very well put and thank you for sharing your experiences on the MDH! This road is an odd combination; being frightful and awestruck at the same time. Thanks again and all the best!
You wouldn't belive half of shit you would see in asia or europe but you americans expect everything to be soooo fukin easy ... most of you guys cant start a car with a stick shift so wtf are we talking about? People driving 4x4 in snow in chicago and getting into crashes like bugs..
No offense , but that is reality. I can drive 80 mph in snow 4x4 and not crash and chicagogians they drive 20mph and crash into lamp or something , i am truck driver so i have been on them roads with chains and ice.. nothing special
Those roads are commutes for us here in Colorado hahah
Independence pass where u live is the same as well as the Loveland pass
Hello from Australia! As part of a road trip in the US in 2017, my partner and I travelled along this road. We started in Albuquerque, where we hired a car. Went across to Arizona (Horseshoe Bend & the Grand Canyon), Back towards New Mexico, where we stopped at 4 Corners & Monument Valley. Then onto Aztec, NM to catch up with a Facebook friend. From there went to Durango, Silverton and then onto Ouray. While we were walking down the main street of Durango, we started chatting to a couple walking their 2 dogs. They picked up on our accents pretty quickly, and asked us where we were going. We told them that we were going to Silverton & Ouray, and they looked at each other and said, you sure you wanna do that? LOL. We actually had no idea about this road, but they told us to be careful and take lots of caution. It was I think late July, maybe early August. There was a bit of light rain when we drove this road, my partner was driving and we made it just fine. Stunning drive, we loved both Silverton & Ouray. Went back to Farmington, NM, then via Taos & Santa Fe back to Albuquerque. What a trip, one of the best experiences of my life. Love America. Been there 3 times now.
Howdy mate! That sounds like the road-trip of a lifetime. I am glad that you were cautious and made it through the highway safe. All the best and happy travels!
@@DerelictDoug Looking back now and finding out just how challenging this road is, we did take a bit of a chance driving it. You have to remember we are used to driving on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car!
Another Aussie here. I drove from Durango to Grand Junction, CO (with a side trip to Teluride) back in May 2018. It was part of a round trip from Grand Junction to Moab, UT and Arches National Park then on to Durango, for an amazing ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The weather was fantastic and the scenery spectacular. The Million Dollar Highway is quite good and provided you don’t try to set any speed records and keep your eyes on the road (difficult at times), you won’t have any problems. But bad weather could give the road a whole different dimension. I don’t think I’d do it in winter.
I lived in Silverton for a few years in the late '70s, when my folks owned the Shell gas station at the edge of town, by the turn-off to Ouray. Back then the wintertime population of Silverton was 250. The school building was a three story tall, almost perfect cube made of red brick and housed all grades, K through 12. The school gym was a separate building, and Mr. Pastor, the gym teacher was hard as nails with a solid gold heart. There was no school bus, and so walked to school, even when it was below freezing and snowing - and yep, it was well over a mile and uphill both ways. There was no real hospital, but a doctor came in from Telluride every Thursday. The rest of the week, it was the school nurse, Mrs. Ward, one of the sweetest ladies you ever wanted to meet, who also owned the Candle Shop in town. Swanson's Meat Market was the only grocery store, and Mr. Swanson was the butcher. Fifteen feet of snow every year and only one channel on TV - there was no cable or satellite dish back then. Lucile Bowman was the only hairdresser/barber in town, and she also owned the riding stables and sometimes outfitted hunters with horses and tents, etc. and even went out and kept camp for them and cooked, now and then - all this and she was in her 80s. After school the kids would hang out at the 8-Ball which had a couple of pool tables, several pinball machines and even one video game (I think it was Asteroids), and the bowling alley was downstairs, in the basement. It had two lanes, numbered 1 and 98. For the grown-ups, the bar at the Grand Imperial was the place for night life. I remember one night my parents came home and said that Bill (one of Mrs. Bowman's cowboys) got drunk and rode one of Mrs. Bowman's horses, Peaches into the bar and tried to buy her a margarita. I don't remember if they served her or not, but it wouldn't surprise me, if they did. The only paved road in town was Main Street, which had the only traffic light in town. That intersection was also where a giant Christmas tree was put up every year. The tree was so big, you could see it as you came down off of Molas Pass coming in from Durango. Christmas day the movie theater played cartoons all day long for free.
@Bear Barre
Silverton is of course a pretty place to visit, but couldn’t live there.....especially in the winter.
Great to hear some of the history of Silverton, I've been there many times but only within the last 15 years, it will always be one of my favorite places to be.
Many thanks. Personal stories are always great, filling in the details often missed in more official stories. I bought a copy of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg's "Narrow Gauge in the Rockies," back around 1960. I've been a model railroader since '54 and enjoyed this book so much---and so often---that I plumb wore the dust jacket away and skin oil obliterated the printing on the cover and spine. Beebe's writing was so good you could almost smell the coal smoke of the Denver & Rio Grande RR and create a longing for a Gin Sling or Cuba Libre at the bar of the Teller House. His tales of the legendary Otto Mears, such as the time he saved the town of Silverton from starving over the winter, were stirring. (By the way, I always thought Otto's last name was pronounced "Meers," not "Meyers." Can you tell me?)
Does someone from Indiana own the gas station now
It's still the only one there
@grumpy old fart not sure, by road it's about 50 miles.
A friend of mine and I took that road a few years ago. He was driving. He still tells everyone today that Chief here puckered so damn tight that when he did get out of the car he pulled the upholstery out of the seat. Damn! I'll never ride that road again.
I rode it north on a motorcycle. I took a different route back to Durango.
I'm from South Africa and had the opportunity to drive this highway in August of 2014. It was awesome and I was never in danger as I traveled within my limits as dictated by the road conditions.
You couldn't have put it better. As long as you follow the rules, you will be safe. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching. All the best!
Exactly. It’s not hard to stay between the lines. We do it every day. Why is everyone so risk averse and scared. No way to live if you can even call it that. The true Pandemic is fear.
Welcome to the United States! I hope you had a wonderful time while you were in Colorado.
@@forester057blown out tire, medical emergency, or brakes giving ect..
Being a native of Colorado I have been down that road several times. The scenery is awesome and the towns are throwbacks in time.
They truly are. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching. All the best!
Colorado native here aswell 60 this month
Same here, I love the Durango to Silverton railroad. We used to play in the Galloping Goose locomotive that was parked in Telluride.
My wife& I went down this road on our Harley. Spent the night in Silverton. Had a great time!
It sounds like so much fun to do this road on a Harley! Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences. All the best!
I'm doing it this summer
@Carl Stock, for my money the only way to see the mountains is on a bike, nothing like the view from the seat of a motorcycle!
Most local Coloradoan's pronounce Ouray like YOUray instead of Oooray. There's a roadside memorial on one end of pass to three brave plow operators who lost their lives maintaining Red Mountain Pass working for the Colorado Highway Department, now known as CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation). The 6 wheel drive Mack snow plows used on the pass are beautiful machines. They drink only a gallon of fuel every 2-1/2 miles.
Yes yes, “YOU-ray”is western Colorado’s preferred pronunciation . I have since corrected my pronunciation. The plows and snow blowers that CDOT uses are a modern marvel for sure. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Best wishes!
I drove that stretch from Durango to Ouray one spring. It was gorgeous up there. I don't remember being nervous about it, but marveled at the ingenuity of the many avalanche chutes I drove under. When I passed one point there was an avalanche behind me, but by the time I got back from Ouray the road had been cleared.
I remember years ago riding with a friend this highway. It was a magnificent ride
And I was thankful to have gotten safely to Ouray and the beauties I gave glory to God.
It truly is a magnificent ride. Thank you for sharing your experiences and all the best!
@Toughen Up, Fluffy I wouldnt want to be you when you fall at the Creators feet crying because you didnt seek Him while you had the chance .......
Just did this on a motorcycle in a rain storm. Talk about pucker factor 10.
I did it on a motorcycle on a dry day. I only did it once - took a different route back to Durango.
In best regards in the removal of your seat. Lol
My knuckles would have been white all the way.
Headed there in 3 weeks. Figure I may have to pull my nipples to loosen the suction to the seat. Which is part of why I want to ride it. I am hoping for no rain storm.
@@JohnTOutlander it's fun. If I were you I'd try to hit it on a weekday with less traffic. It's worth the ride.
During the summer of 1984, I worked at my friends ranch in Mancos. We became quite familiar with the treachery of those roads. We lost a friend on RT160 in '82. There were times that my survival seemed a toss-up on these roads. These are just a few of those instances.
I remember travelling by motorcycle on the M$H, getting my first glimpse of Wilson's Peak and Lizard Head, being caught in a mid-day July blizzard with just T-shirts, as we descended towards Silverton through slush-covered switch-backs. We shivered as we bought $5 Navajo sweaters from a road-side trader.
In late January of 1986, my childhood friend and I flew out to ski for ten days at Telluride. Our flight arrived at midnight in Denver. We almost didn't make it to Mancos , to stay a day or two with my Brother in Mancos. It was after 5AM when I lay asleep with the skis in the back of the rented wagon. I awoke to screeching rubber, the inverted reflection upon the tailgate glass of my friend regaining control after blowing out both right tires on a bolder that had fallen l in the road. Determined, we put the spare om the front and I limped car with one flat rear down the highway for over an hour. There I saw a oil well in the front of a small home with a garage. We woke the man and asked for his help. I think he sold us a used wheels and a tire, and sledge hammered the other wheel back to shape.
Staying at my brothers in Mancos was okay, but we were young and sought to find some women in Durango one night. It had flurried late that day and the highway was glazed over. Foolishly, I came up upon a slow-moving truck pulling a snowmobile trailer. As I was just about to finish passing, I over-steered the wagon, and got myself in a positive loop. I knew the road. I wasn't going to survive the left, so I went right. It was astounding that with me sprawled on the roof (Citation front-wheel drive) my friend was able to gain enough speed downhill to ascend back onto the highway. We got to the bar with a boost of adrenaline. We met some fine young ladies, including the lovely Penny from Farquahrts. I met her again in Memphis in the early 90s.
I think we left her apartment just before sunrise. It was time to hit the slopes. Back to Mancos, we had quite a few hours drive to Telluride via Delores. We nearly had the mountain to ourselves, as it was not only a rather poor snow season, but this was also before the building boom and the celebs inhabited the mountain. Most days, there were only the lift operator and ourselves, with empty slopes and chairs before us.
On our last day of skiing, we checked out of the lodge and left our belongings in the rented wagon at the base of the mountain. We skied from the last chair to the lodge as the sun was setting, stopped by at an art gallery to say farewell to the lady I met the night before, then headed for Ouray.
We got our chance to quickly soak in the Ouray hot springs, then onward to Silverton. After a fine meal in Silverton, we followed the map my friend had copied at work (in B&W) and highlighted. I recall him pointing out this shortcut that would save us time. Although he is a very smart person, what seemed to be good preparation could have been a grave mistake. Strangely, within a minute, the tire tracks ahead ended. I re-examined the map and realized it was a dotted line. It was a seasonal only road ! We were lucky we were able to back out of there. As I recall, it was now 10 PM. We had a flight to catch in Denver at noon.
The night was very difficult. It was a driving nightmare. The road was covered white and a light snow was blowing towards the abyss at the edge. I was unable to tell if I was going up or down, and was driving just 25 MPH when I gave in, pulled over and woke my friend. It was now 4:30 AM. I finally got my sleep time. I woke an hour outside Denver just in time to catch our flight.
Things you do when your young. Yeah, I think my bucket list has enough checked boxes.
While in high school in 1975, I spent part of the summer in Mancos. It was quite the small town back then with only one stop sign. I stayed and helped out on the Cooper ranch, who were my cousins. It was located on the south side of the Mancos River.
I've ridden my motorcycle through this area numerous times. It's some of my most cherished rides in the great Western United States. Don't miss this road.
Most beautiful highway in Amèrica keeps you awake, Drove on it three times a week carring 80,000 lbs, of groceries with a set of doubles,,Wonderful,,💙🇺🇸🕊.
I've driven the whole road - from Bernalillo, NM to Montrose, Co. - more than once. Well, I didn't actually drive it; I rode it on motorcycles. An '80 Honda CBX set up as a sport tourer; an '82 BMW R100, also set up as a sport tourer; and a 2004 BMW R1150 GSA adventure bike - with all the panniers, and a tank bag almost big enough to sleep in. When I lived in Las Vegas, NV, I occasionally went back to my birth place (Roswell, NM) for a week to celebrate my birthday. US 550 was one good way to go; from I-70 at Grand Junction, south on US 50 to Montrose; south on 550 to Bernalillo; and then... who knows? As long as it wasn't an Interstate, I didn't much care... Yeah, I'll agree that it can be dangerous, but... hey; I'm riding a motorcycle, for God's sake. It's ALREADY dangerous. But, also a hell of a lot of fun...😁
Went over this in a 1962 Rambler American. The car was new and my mother was fearless and thankfully a great driver! I enjoyed it, was too young and dumb to be scared. The weather was great.
Wow! Doing this road in a rambler sounds like a slice of Apple-Pie🥧. This road is the best when you are still carefree and trusting enough to let go and enjoy the ride. Thank you for sharing your experience and stay safe!
Took this Hwy in 1964 after a Family Reunion in Durango. I was 14 so my Dad was driving. My parents have both been gone for several years but it's a family trip I'll never forget. Thanks for posting.
You are very welcome and thank you for joining us! It really is unforgettable. I am glad that you were able to experience it first hand, Thanks again and best wishes!
Oh yes, I want to say, “Thanks” for sharing this video & narrative!!!
Thank you kindly. I am really glad that you enjoyed!
We have driven extensively in the Austrian & Swiss Alps. You are correct, this Highway is far more dangerous - we drove it in August 2019
I really appreciate the confirmation! Thanks for your insights and thank you for watching. Happy travels!
I'm 5th generation from Durango. And this is my absolute favorite road! I love driving it year round! 💕💕 One of my best friend's since high school, her dad was a plow driver on Red Mountain Pass for years! That man is a gangster when it comes to driving!
Thank you so very much for watching and sharing your experiences on the MDH. All the best!
On the east side of Ouray named for a local indian chief, there is a bluff rising on the east side town. If you look carefully you will see a switchback trail carved the sheer rock bluff. This was carved by a mining company to get it's gold ore from the top on the top of the wall to the smelter below. They would load mules with packsaddles and the mules were trained to follow the path un guided.every so often there was a passage way that when the mule would walk into this chute the pack saddles would be lifted up and the mule could rest until the next mule would arrive. This continued down to the Ouray smelter. where the mules were rested. When the "mule train" was all down, my father, Frank Davies, would take the mules back to the mine above.
That is absolutely fascinating! Thank you very much for contributing your insights and regional knowledge. Do you mind if I ask, when your father worked with the Mules? Regardless, thank you for watching and commenting. Best wishes!
I miss that part of Colorado. My brothers an I, along with my older bro’s wife n her family would go up there to camp and explore the old gold n silver mines, and look at all of the history there and explore all of the old mines. I would love to be able to get up there again, but I’m not able to get it done these days due to a work injury back in 1980 as a carpenter. But I have such good memories of that time we had in from 1970 - 1976 it is so beautiful. So if you are able to go on up and site seeing and do some exploring, then go for it , just make sure that you leave all of the artifacts in place. And Have a great time.
It really is an amazing part of Colorado. I argue that it is the most beautiful. I am happy we were able to take you along for the ride and share some explores with you. Thank you for joining us!
Just drove this a couple of weeks ago in the dark, towing a camper trailer from Ouray to Ironton. White knuckle moment for sure. Then we drove across the Corkscrew Gulch and into Silverton, then back to Ouray again in the daylight this time. Suffice it to say that I was going the speed limit and focused 110% on the road.
There needs to be a mountain driving exam in Colorado, because there are bends in the road that are running out of room for crosses and signs as tribute to people who blast through the guardrail and slam into the trees. The trees are fine. Apparently Colorado spruce and pine trunks can absorb several extreme hits by giant SUVs and pickups. One notable bend on a popular mountain road had one sign as a memorial to a girl, then someone took out the guardrail and the sign. We saw that it was repaired promptly, then a week later all of it was gone again. Two signs and several crosses took its place. Then they put up a temporary concrete barrier, which someone took out with a Ram. Trees are still standing.
The tree always wins, but I assume one of the reasons that there are no guardrails is the highway engineers feel there's enough shoulder (that you may not see) and that if you're idiotic enough to crash into a tree, the tree will win. The tree always wins.
I have made the trip from Durango-Silverton-Ouray-Ridgeway many times from 1966 into the 2000's. It is like a thrill ride, with those thousand foot drop off's. The scenic views are majestic and I have never seen anything else in comparison to it anywhere in the U.S. Telluride is an interesting place as well, just over the mountain from Ouray by Jeep, but quite a drive by taking the long way. It was pretty much a ghost town back in the late sixties, not anymore. I love getting out of the Texas heat about every five years or so and making the rocky mountains my destination, good for the soul.
I couldn't agree with you more! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I hope you get to come out again very soon :0)
Educational documentary , this is so far the best I've seen on UA-cam , thanks for showing me this spectacular view , road , mountains, valleys waterfall and all.Such a magnificent nature of this great country of yours . Thanks again Sir for your documentaries.
I am so very glad that you enjoy my videos and thank you for the kind words. We will have more coming very soon and all the best!
Being from Colorado mountains these roads are nothing outside of ordinary. Avalanches, rock slides, mud slides, floods etc.. it's all par for the course. Lol great video.
Agreed, the MDH is not too special when you consider the numerous drives in Colorado. This is why it is so important to step back and appreciate what we Coloradans take for granted. Few places in the world are as captivating as our landscape. Thanks for watching and all the best!
@@DerelictDoug It's too bad people in Colorado are not nice at all.
Thank you for this amazing snippet of The Million Dollar Highway. I was terrified by just watching!!! Unfortunately I will never drive this route and I am so grateful that you shared! 🙂
Well done...thank you. Have done drive 4 times in my life and loved it more each time.
🙏Thank you so very much for the kind words. I am glad you got the experience this modern marvel first hand. Thanks for watching and all the best!
We had so much fun exploring this area. Great channel by the way.
Thank you kindly and best wishes! ✌️💙
Boy, I’m sure glad I drove it before watching this video 😂
What a wonderful video!! Had to subscribe!
I love our country 🇺🇸!!
Having lived here and introduced many friends,relatives to the journey. There seems to be two distinct mindsets. One is enjoy the scenery, the other is basically scared chitless🙀
I've been on that road. The summer after I graduated from high school (1980), three of my sisters and I flew to Denver. We got a rental car and drove it down to Durango to stay at a condo owned by our aunt and uncle in Phoenix, AZ. We rode the Durango Silverton narrow gauge train to Silverton. We decided to take the bus back to Durango, since the train didn't leave till later in the day. It's been so long ago I can't remember it being a scary ride. If I had driven on it, I'd probably remember. Unfortunately, I wasn't old enough to drive the rental car.
Thanks for posting the video. I've always wanted to go back to Colorado, but haven't made it back, except to change planes at Denver Airport on a flight to Phoenix, AZ.
It sounds like you had a great visits back then. Especially the narrow gauge ride. We hope you can make it back to Colorado sometime soon. All the best!
I remember that the only contact with the outside world was about five hours per night of an independent local TV station from Grand Junction. The reading of the news was borderline hilarious and the main local sponsor was Gay Johnson's truck stop and restaurant, where you could get tires or fill up on gas, oil, or fine food, as I recall. We also received one country music station from Durango that only broadcast in the daytime. We knew how to amuse ourselves back then. At least everyone else did. I recall being very bored and taking lots of walks, just like now. Hey, wait a second here, I need to think for a moment.
What an amazing snapshot in time. Thank you for painting such a vivid picture! In-fact Gay Johnston’s is still open. Although the family has moved on to the natural gas industry. When we were little it was KOA that we could hear at night, on the radio. Enjoy you walks, thoughts, and boredom. You are blessed to have these three things. Thanks for sharing and all the best!
I’ve traveled this road more than a few times. The first few miles from Ouray to Silverton are very scary but it’s not so bad after that. Beautiful scenery!!!
It really is gorgeous, I’m not a fan of the white knuckles. But, I can appreciate it. Thanks for joining us and stay safe!
Thanks mate, I'm Australian, and I drove this section of highway many years ago, while we were on vacation. It was a beautiful sunny day when we made trip, and it scared the devil out of me. I just don't know how I would have managed in that weather.
I drove the road in 1971 with a tractor trailer. Quite by accident. Only once! Highway 50 signage was down due to construction and I was in Silverton by the time I realized the mistake. What A drive.
Wow! I bet that was a white-knuckle drive. Whenever I see a tractor-trailer on the MDH I have two thoughts. 1) was this an accident 2) I hope they make it out ok. Thank you for confirming my suspicion that it isn't always intentional. Thanks for the insightful comment and all the best!
Travel it on a motorcycle, serious tummy turmoil, hairpins, 2000 ft drops, no guardrails, eeks!, Yet by far one of the most spectacular rides ever...
Just found this and it brings back many memories. I lived 5 miles north of Ouray, CO for 25 years. I have driven that highway many times in the summer usually. One winter, due to an emergency, I drove a jeep CJ5 with a ford V-8 engine and snowplow attached on the million dollar highway from Ouray to Durango during a snow storm at night with 4 to 6 inches of snow on the road. I have no idea how I survived that trip but it made me believe that there is a higher power watching over us.
We enjoyed the road and views so much we did it twice during a western road trip in our Mustang GT a few years back. We skipped the Durango train trip since the road was so incredible going at your own pace. Wonderful shops in both Ouray and Silverton. We had gorgeous weather though and I doubt we would have enjoyed it in the stormy weather you showed in this video.
This is definitely on the list of places to see now, I live in BC so the narrow winding road should feel like home. Thanks for making this video and putting this awesome place on my radar
I am so glad I was able to spark an interest! I hope you get to visit soon and am happy you are going to the MDH with mountain driving experience. Thanks for watching and all the best!
Charlie Denbigh - funny you should mention that! I used to live in Denver, and what I would do is get to the mountain roads there in the Rockies, the Rand McNally map will show you the scenic route, I would look for the routes that were the closest to the Continental Divide. Then I would go All the Way North to British Columbia. And then go west to Vancouver. And then go along the coast route all the way through Washington Oregon California all the way to San Diego. I had a station wagon so I could camp out in the back.
Also that was mostly in the late 1970s, people were a lot more friendly and sociable, it wasn't hard to find someone that would let you stay over. I used to look for foxy girls.
It was a real fun route, I did that a few times. But then again it was in the 70s, people were friendly.
I grew up in Colorado and learned to drive on mountain roads. US550 never really scared me much. However, the Sea to Sky highway before the reconstruction for the Olympics was a lot scarier, partly because traffic was much heavier. Glad that got modernized.
It was supposed to be a leisurely scenic drive from Mesa Verde to Durango via Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton with my elderly parents and it was until we left Ouray. Oh my goodness, sweaty palms doesn't even begin to describe how I felt as we drove the guardrail-less twisting highway! Had I known what I know now, I would have paid someone a million dollars to drive the Million Dollar Highway for me! And, yes, it's one of the most beautiful drives that I have ever taken.
That is exactly how I felt. You put it into words very well. Thank you for contributing and sharing your experience and for watching. All the best!
By far the best video about this highway , Thanks from Maryland
Thank you so very much! I appreciate the kind words and thanks for stopping by. All the best!
What a beautiful drive! Thank you for sharing. I would love to drive it myself!
Hii Doug 🙂 wow this was a stunningly beautiful piece of old highway.
You'd love our east cape its extremely dangerous and a straight drop into the most gorgeous ocean below.its very narrow and like most coastal highways here not maintained constantly.
I loved this it had a true scenic bliss to it with the waterfalls on the roadside to the snow covered mountains,
But its crazy 3rd most dangerous road wow.
Definitely one to respect with full focus..thanks for the amazing footage an education
I read a lot about Skippers Canyon and Taroko Gorg while finding information about the Million Dollar Highway. New Zealand, in general, is on my bucket list to visit, but I really do want to check out the coastal highways.
This road is a strange mix of blissful views and heart-stopping drops. In my opinion, there are many more dangerous roads/conditions than you'll find on the MDH. I believe it claims so many lives because it draws too many inexperienced drivers to it. I am very glad you enjoyed the video and always appreciate your well thought out comments. 👊 Respect
Awesome video, and information, thanks,definitely on my list 😎👍😁🤪
I am so glad that you enjoyed and we hope to see you out here soon! Best wishes!
@@DerelictDoug surely will try and make contact,but first need to get there first🤣many thanks for the 😎vidoe,one day is gone be my day ,take care and be safe. 👍😁🤗💗🙈🤪🤭
Very well done. Watched the whole thing.
Drove it last week and can't wait to go back !
Nice! I am good with another visit, but am glad you enjoyed! All the best!
I’ve driven that road. He did not exaggerate how dangerous it is. I’ve been driving for many years and I’ve NEVER been that nervous!
Thanks for posting, great information.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I am glad you enjoyed the information. Thanks again and all the best!
Snow capped mountains, dense forests.... The atmosphere is so lovly!
Just drove it in may 2021 riding two-up on my Honda Goldwing. Beautiful Drive ! No Sweat! Loved it!
Great vid. Memories of eight times yearly, 20 years, all seasons. One time transporting an evil handling class A coach and tow, while section 1,000' above river, was under single lane restriction, after spring runoff had washed away outer half of the roadway.
Navigator had head extended out side window, to make sure tires, outer duals, on her side were still mostly on pavement... and not hanging too far over.. lol
WOW! That is an out-of-hand and crazy story! You and your navigator are some brave souls. Keep up the good work and be safe! Also, thank you for sharing your experiences!
I’d love to see dashcam footage of this highway in winter conditions...
Oh, it’s out there. Do a couple searches and you should be able to find a semi truck that flew off the road during a snow storm. Thanks for joining us and stay safe!
Will be driving through there tomorrow. I have a dash cam. I'll record it just for you. Winter storm right now, so it should be fun. Will be doing with a 4x2 truck + snow chains.
Two winters ago I had to get to Silverton by 6am from Durango because there was a storm rolling through and they shut the highways for avalanche control at 7am. So there I was driving the passes in the dark with 2 feet of snow on the road and couldn’t see 20feet ahead of me at 4:30am. Lemme tell you if you learn to drive in the region here you’re gifted with experience real young
My heart was pounding lol good video.
I am glad you enjoyed. Best wishes!
We took our 2004 Harley Night Train fully loaded from Durango to Ouray. We did hit some loose gravel as the highway was "under construction" and reduced to one slow lane. We prayed and held on. It was a thrill and gorgeous beyond measure. Also went through there in the 60's with my parents. No guts, no glory. Can't wait to do It again!
Good review, thanks
Thank you kindly!🙏
I drove this from my hometown of Los Alamos, New Mexico to Grand Junction, Colorado in the summer of 1968. Some of the hairpin turns make it seem like one's grill is going to touch their rear bumper.
Hahaha, that is a very funny way of putting it. However; that is exactly how you feel on some of those hairpin turns. That portion of the road is cartoonish; something straight out of Looney Toons. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and all the best!
Rode on the back of a Harley all the way from Arizona to Ouray. Absolutely breathtaking!
@@Eye-it-azz I have no desire to ever ride my own bike. On the back is where I fell free! Guys would never understand as they have never been on the back.
Great video, loved the scenery for sure.
I am so very glad you enjoyed the scenery. Thank you so much for watch. Best wishes!
@@DerelictDoug You are most welcome for sure!
I did the Silverton to Ouray road about a month ago with new brakes on my Ram Promaster van. By the time I pulled into Ouray I thought that my brakes were gone. It was stinking up a storm.
Damn dude the rain is no joke. Thanks for the great explore and video!
It honestly is. Thank you kindly for watching and for your support.
Hi Derelict Doug; Have you Ever driven "The Tail of the Dragon" It's US Hwy 129 in Tennessee. There's 318 curves in 11 miles of highway. Not even straight trucks can take this road. There's not a lot of deep drop offs, mostly Very Sharp corners. There's a motel set up JUST for motorcyclists. I seen video's of semi's getting Stuck taking this highway; even though there's LARGE Signs to say there NOT ALLOWED , On that highway.
Thanks for sharing this video. You did a great job of explaining this marvel of engineering. I couldn't have done any better.
We come to Ouray twice every year and have been for the last ten years. We have driven this in fair weather, rain, sleet, and snow. The only thing left to experience is driving at night. Perhaps the next time that we come to Ouray.
Gary and Barb Fox, IOWA
Wow, you have nearly done it all on the MDH. Thanks for driving safe and we can't wait to see you again soon. All the best!
That road at night I might have done a few decades ago but I think I will pass for now.
We drove it from Ouray down to Silverton one summer, and it was a beautiful drive on a sunny day. However, you do have to pay attention to the road. In the winter or during a rainstorm, and I think your observations would be right on.
Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your experiences on the MDH. All the best!
I haven't done that road, but I've ridden a motorcycle several times through Independence Pass from Aspen to Twin Lakes. It's so dangerous that it is only open three months a year. Good video.
there were stories about 550, of people who drove off it in midwinter and were found the next spring, or maybe later.
where can I read these
Just returned from the ride on harleys, fantastic weather, good road conditions, great people..excellent dinner at Outlaws..live your life and have some fun!
This is hands down the prettiest stretch of road I've ever driven on.
this can’t be as dangerous as the 40 going from winter park to i70
My friend and I rode this October 3rd 2019. I was on my ST 1300 and he was on his Shadow 1100. It was very wet and cold that morning. That being said it was a wonderful ride. We rode careful and slow. Much of it is 30 miles an hour speed limit. While it's not technically difficult you do need to mind your p's and q's. I recommend this road to anyone who is not terrified of heights. Your machine should be in Tip-Top condition and your tires appropriate for the season.
Very well put and thank you for sharing your experience on the MDH! It is certainly a road to be respected and demands proper equipment. For me, it's the heights that makes me clutch the wheel. Fortunately, it is very well maintained and most people respect the limits. That said; majority of the deaths were caused by a combination of high-speeds and weather conditions. Thanks again and best wishes!
@@DerelictDoug back at you brother, keep the videos coming.
Ps and Qs refer to pints and quarts. You want to mind your Ps and Qs, not be on them when you drive this road.
Minding your Ps and Qs is an admonition not to drink too much. It has to do with behaviour, not driving. Learn the English language.
Yes, obviously I misspoke. I do have a fairly reasonable grasp of the English language. Really don't you have anything better to do than troll UA-cam? Either way brother thanks for the tune up. I shall endeavor to make you proud in future comments.
@@jahbay
Actually, there are times when I have nothing better to do than troll UA-cam. My life is not always action and excitement.
Another fun road is going up to Idaho Peak near Sandon in Southern British Columbia. It is gravel, so a vehicle with a bit more clearance is a good idea. Also, stop frequently on the way down to let your brakes cool.
As a former local I have to say that you nailed this highway. Subbed!
I got to drive on it last week 😭 it was the best experience ever ! I loved it !
your-AY is the proper pronunciation for Ouray. Otto Mears' last name, locally, is pronounced "Meers." I grew up in Ouray; learned how to drive on 550. My driving test for my father (before I could get my license) was to drive from the Pass in front of him using the gears. If he saw brake lights, I failed. When I finally took my test, the guy had me drive out of town to a narrow stretch, had to do a three-point turn, then drive back to town...in February...that was it! I didn't learn to parallel park until I was well into my twenties.
was hoping i'd see this correction
@@darthjeff8288 It's such a simple thing...I don't know why people mess it up. 🙄😆
I was going to comment on my experience until I read Kelly Penrod's story. I've been on it 4-5 times; sometimes driving and sometimes as a passenger. It doesn't scare me when I'm driving. Always in awe of the scenery.
Please feel comfortable to post freely. Kelly's trucking experience is very unique to him. And I am sure your experiences are just as unique and memorable to you. That said; Thanks for joining and sharing your thoughts. I am glad you've safely made your way through the pass. All the best!
I did this on what was then called the San Juan Skyways bike ride. Our first day was from Durango to Ouray over Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain passes, 2nd day from Ouray to Telluride, and last day was a "century ride" (100+ miles) from Telluride back to Durango over Lizard Head pass, through Dolores and eventually back to Durango. I was on my road bike and going up the passes was tough, but coming down was thrilling and terrifying at the same time - especially coming down Red Mountain into Ouray. My speedometer on my bike hit 55 mph at one time. Oh yes, on the last day it was snowing going up Lizard Head. Crazy but memorable trip. (I am a Colorado native).
I'm a Colorado native who drove this for the first time last week and I was stunned by the beauty. I've never stopped so many times to take pictures. Absolutely breathtaking. I can understand how come someone not accustomed to driving high mountain roads might be a little freaked out and I would not drive this at night or during winter. But oh my god. I hope to get over there once more this summer and spend even more time stopping and taking in the beauty. And the road is is remarkably good condition.
Rode this on a motorcycle in 2019. Awesome ride!
That sounds like a great time. Thanks for stopping by!
Drove it in '73 with my '70 Olds Cutlass pulling a pop-up camper. Cake walk!
Yes... you did good.. me also
Yes that Olds cutless... beautiful
Yeah, I did it in April of 73 or 74 in a snowstorm. Can’t remember a thing. I was fully engaged in hanging onto the road. There were icicles a foot in diameter hanging from the roadside cliffs. Well, I guess I remember that. I dreaded facing any on-coming vehicles. There wasn’t much room.
No big deal. Just pay attention. I've driven I much worse places been in China Japan and other places. This was a cakewalk for me
Ocoee Scenic Byway Between Cleveland TN and Ducktown TN scared the crap out of me. There were 90 degree turns in the road and big logging trucks every few minuites with warning signs trucks cross center line. There was nowhere to go if a truck crossed the center line in one of those curves but off the side of a bluff into the river.
Wow that sounds like an intresting experience. Next time I am in the area, I will have to check this out. Thank you for stopping by and for the intresting comment. All the best!
This is a professional, documentary quality, video.
Thank you very much!
Very interesting and visually spectacular!
I'm from Madison Wisconsin and my brother-in-law was born and raised in Denver/Boulder (still living there), skied the Rockies growing up, graduated from CU, earned his master's and doctorate degrees on cello from Northwestern
University, recently retired from the Denver Symphony Orchestra after 34yrs and 25yrs in the Colorado Central City Opera Orchestra.
He and my sister, harp faculty at the University of Denver, first call union harpist and played with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, are still very active hikers, campers and skiers.
They just bought a new camping tent at 71.
They've done ALL the roads, paved and unpaved. Just bought an new all-wheel drive suv after their 21yr old Jeep finally wore out.
I've been fortunate enough to have been invited out to visit numerous times and have been treated glorious rides throughout Colorado.
For a mid-westerner, those 12,000'+ no railings roads are daunting and attention grabbing. A beautiful state, oh yeah, I'm ADDICTED to those "to die for" August-September PEACHES!!!
Thanks for the mountain drive!!!
I am so very glad that you enjoyed the video. I also am a recovering late summer peach-eater. It seems like as soon as I am over it they are back in the stores begging to be bought.
Also thank you very much for sharing your experience in Colorado. We look forward to having you as a guest again soon!
P.S. I just love Madison Wisconsin
Doug,
Thanks for replying.
I just visited during the last week of August 20' and stayed with my sister and her husband.
They've done it ALL!
They were kind enough to haul me around........the art museums, BAKERIES, exotic cuisine restaurants, mountain lakes, roads, The Stanley Hotel because of the movie "Shining" and so on.
Our daughter was invited to spend a week there just recently and she is the "Shining" fanatic.
She also was able to do some skiing (first time in the West). Had not skied in several years and does not like heights, but this was HER idea.
Have you been to the Colorado Wildlife Sanctuary East of Denver? An interesting perspective!
I've been over it 3 times. Scary every time but oh so beautiful!
Exactly! Thanks for dropping in and all the best!
Rode & drove this road several times. Even caught a unexpected snow storm in JUNE WTH. Serious pucker factor for sure, but wait until you get off-road on some of the trails in the area. So many hidden gems if you can find the right time for trails to open. Yankee Boy Basin is a must see when the wild flowers have blossomed.
I drove on this road from Colorado Springs to Silverton, CO, over Red Mountain in December 2019. It was nighttime. I was horrified and had a death grip on the steering wheel. There were few guard rails from Ouray to Silverton. There were signs everywhere warning about avalanches, rock slides and icy roads. The road was not very wide even for a two lane. I was overjoyed to reach Silverton that night! I may check the road out again, but this time in summer.
Drove this road a few times. If it is a dry day no problem. The last time we crossed it in 2017 it was the first snow storm of the year and the road was covered in 4 inches of wet snow. Got to almost the top of the mountain and there was a semi truck jackknifed across both lanes and no police on scene yet. I just knew that the police would close the road upon arrival, so a few of us edged off into the gully to get around it. Yes, the mountain side not the drop off side. We made it to Silverton and stopped at the visitor center to hear the lady telling people the road is closed until further notice--probably tomorrow.
Your story is like the beginning of a Stephen King book. It sounds like the truck jackknifed towards the top of the pass (considering he didn't just fly off the highway). I am so glad you (and I assume the truck driver) made it out of the storm ok. Thank you for sharing your experiences on the MDH and for watching. All the best!
Drove on this today pulling an RV and it was not fun AT ALL!!!! Wish I would of known and took the other route but the view was beautiful
That sounds frightening and I am glad you made it out ok. Thanks for sharing your experiences and all the best!
Awesome video 👍
Thank you kindly!
I drove the MDH. Between Ouray to Silverton. Awesome drive. Just gorgeous!
I thinking my dad helped rebuild this road, I remember sitting on his truck looking at the beutiful scenery.
That is a really cool memory. Thank you for sharing your experiences. All the best!
I grew up in MT and moved to AZ when I was a junior in high school. Couldn't wait to get back to MT, so when I graduated in 1978 I took a friend (he had a vehicle, you see . . .) and we drove up. We went up through this part of the country instead of the direct route through Utah and I have to say the road from Durango to Ouray was my favorite part of the trip. Still think it's the most scenic highway I've ever been on, although I haven't been back through there since. Someday a road trip will be in order just to drive it again.
Thank you so very much for sharing your experiences on the MDH. Memories like this are priceless and irreplaceable. Thanks for watching and all the best!
I loved driving this road. We went from Ouray to Durango. Beautiful views everywhere.
Love the video!! Very reminiscent of a number of roads in British Columbia when I was young. Back in those days we all drove according to road conditions and actually paid attention to our surroundings rather than rely on the government to tell us how dumb we are. Survival of the fittest ha ha
Haha, that is exactly as I like to put it: "survival of the fittest". Thank so much for joining us and for the kind words. All the best!
the first time you are over it, those speed limit signs are great warnings for what's coming
You know what's really awful, in a scenic sense when you drive on Colorado Mountain Roads, I'm looking at the scenery and just amazed and taking my time enjoying the drive, going about 40 miles an hour.Then people gather on your bumper and a real hurry, and they want to go as fast as possible, so they never see any scenery? Totally nutty but that's the way people want to do it.
I can completely understand your perspective. I have been in both of those driver seats. Most importantly, you need to drive at speeds that are safe for you. However; most colorado roads have a maximum and minimum speed. This is an attempt to balance the needs of sightseers and travelers. If the speed you are driving is below the minimum speed, it is suggested that you find an alternate route. Sorry about the folks who rode your bumper (they know better), that is just annoying to everyone.
Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your experiences. I hope you have a better go of it next time. All the best!
P.S. Flashing your headlights in Colorado is typically used to indicate the driver intends to pass. Not a sign of impatience. We often need to ride the next persons bumper to pass uphill. This practice is commonly misunderstood as aggression.
Having been born in Colorado western slope from Grand Junction to Durango I have been on this pass many times in all types of weather . Rain isn't so bad just got to watch out for rocks but winter snow is when you really have to pay attention to the road and the hill sides for avalanches , you have to respect the mountain and stay alert and have a good vehicle. As a kid my family was traveling from Ouray to Durango during a snow storm and the had closed the pass after we had already gone through Ouray and before we got to Silverton had to get out of car and use poles to find road on foot as dad followed in car . What is suppose to be a 3 hour drive took 15 hours . Best memory ever of that pass .
That has to be the single most frightening story I've heard from the pass! I am so glad everyone made it out ok and gave the road the respect it deserves. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience. Best wishes!
@@DerelictDoug Thanks that is one of many I have been through it happened in the late 60's when I was 9 years old and the pass was a little scarier than it is now they have more safety barriers and pull overs now than they had then
Back in August i traveled incredible Route 550 from Durango to Ouray and it is truly majestic, treacherous, awesome and literally carved into the side of the mountains. The Million Dollar Highway stretch of the the road from Silverton to Ouray is especially epic. We got hit by a bad rain mixed w ice storm just south of Silverton so stopped there and explored awhile which we would have done anyways. Cool old town at super high elevation. My favorite place was Ouray with its next level views, natural hot springs, friendly vibe, cool walkable downtown area just encompassed by some of the most amazing views. I love southwestern Colorado and am hellbent on moving to Durango in next few years. It has always felt like home. i lived in Flagstaff, AZ back in early 2000s but it’s changed for the worse. Durango feels the way Flag did back then.
I drove that road with a 53' trailer and a full sleeper tractor it's intense for sure.
Wow you are a brave soul. Thanks for joining out trip and for sharing a little about yours. All the best!
I did it while the road was covered with melting snow. It gave me a heart attack everytime the road banks the wrong way. I was hyperventilating by the end of it. "Big truck not advised " does not do it justice. Almost got into accident twice, while I was going 5 mph.
I never drive through there again. I happily took 100+ mile detour than going through there again!
I live in Silverton and avalanches and deaths on this pass are an unfortunate part of life.
That is sad, but thank you for sharing your experiences and all the best.