Ep. 69: Million Dollar Highway | Colorado RV travel camping
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Travel with us in our RV on Colorado's renowned Million Dollar Highway, a scenic and dangerous stretch of US Route 550 that connects Durango and Ouray via the historic town of Silverton. Camp for free with us in the San Juan National Forest, explore quaint downtown Silverton, take a 4x4 trip across Engineer Pass to Lake City, and learn about Silverton's rich mining heritage at the San Juan County Historical Society Museum.
Filmed September 5-8, 2018.
* Campsite: Anvil Camping Area www.campendium...
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CREDITS
* All music in this episode is open source and obtained from the CZcams Audio Library / audiolibrary , or licensed from Soundstripe SoundStripe.com.
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Welcome to Grand Adventure, a CZcams channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, nearly always filmed in stunning 4K.
We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the western U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and our dogs Zoe and Maggie are avid boondockers, so you'll seldom find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds. Instead, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. And unlike most other RV channels on CZcams, we're not RV dealers or full-timers -- we're weekend warriors just like you!
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#RV #camping #travel #RVlife #GoRVing #grandadventure #Colorado #Silverton #boondocking #us550 #milliondollarhighway
“ oh oh could be magic “ well almost , another stunning film by the star himself Mr grand Adventure . You are amazing Marc thanks for all your hard work filming G&Z
Wow! Thank you!
This is truly an amazing driving experience. For flat landers new to this stretch of highway just remember, take it slow, don't let the locals "push" you down the highway, and use the pullouts for letting others pass and to stop/ take in the views.
Great advice, John!
@@GrandAdventure Pullouts are also good for stopping to calm the nerves ;-)
Have been there may times, the absolute BEST of Colorado.
David, we can't disagree.
We loved the million dollar highway, while it was slightly nerve wrecking to drive on the views and camping near by were worth it
It's a white knuckler for sure, but so worth it.
The most beautiful area to me in the United States.
Shooter, we agree that it ranks right up there.
😳 just saw this episode for the first time! Engineer Pass…wow!
LOL Bethany! Engineer Pass is not for the feint of heart, I can assure you, and the video truly doesn't do it justice.
Just crossed the Rockies on I-70 Oct 8th. We got too close to snow at Vail (10600 ft) and Eisenhower (11200 ft). Breathtaking.
As an avid skier, I'm having a hard time picturing anything as "too close to snow." ;-) Thanks folks!!
Well sir...you can keep it. We are looking forward to a snowless winter!
Growing up in Maryland, other than vacations in WV I was not routinely on mountain roads. I'll admit that when we first drove on some of the narrower roads out West -- with no guardrails, no shoulders, and sheer drops of hundreds of feet -- my first thought was, "these people are crazy!" I quickly got used to it though. At this point we've been on a lot of hairy roads with length restrictions, grade warnings, etc. It takes a lot to scare me these days, but one section of 550 did. I believe it was that stretch south of Ouray that you mentioned. We were traveling *south*, on the "sneeze and you're dead" side. Not only was there no shoulder, the pavement was crumbling and the white line was missing in places! The lanes are very narrow in that area as well. I usually try my best not to be the stereotypical RVer doing half the speed limit, but those good intentions went out the window for a couple miles.
To this day I will not drive on that road -- not that segment anyway. I'm amazed it is a US highway. It looks like they graded and paved a mining road! I don't recall any length restrictions for trucks, but there must be. I know we had large box trucks pass us going north and I was amazed we didn't lose our driver side mirror.
Here's a good article:
"Highway 550 named to ‘most dangerous’ list" (in the world!)
durangoherald.com/articles/63148
Quote: "The portion of U.S. Highway 550 is listed alongside the “Highway of Death” in Iraq and the “Death Road” in Bolivia. Twelve roads made the list."
Yup. That's the Uncompahgre Gorge stretch of 550, the one we're referring to near the end of this video. The first time we drove it with the trailer was southbound, so we know what you're talking about. In this episode we were northbound. We're not aware of any length restrictions as semis drive that road all the time. It's sporting!
@@GrandAdventure We've been on much better/safer/wider roads that had strict length restrictions. I didn't remember seeing a sign in Ouray -- as you know there is usually a large black on yellow advisory sign for truckers -- but I just assumed I missed it somehow. It's mind-blowing that that particular stretch does not have any limits. Now that you mention it, I do seem to recall seeing a couple semis -- they could not negotiate some of the curves without crossing the double yellow. You'd think that alone would be reason enough for length restrictions.
We've criss-crossed the west. We've been on numerous mountain roads that are "not recommended" for trucks and RVs. I can deal with 1,000 foot drop-offs and no guardrails as long as the lanes are standard width, and (ideally) there is a couple feet of shoulder between the white line and the cliff's edge. That section of 550 is in a class by itself.
@Joseph Smith How long was 550 closed to clear that snow last March?
That’s crazy driving. My husband and the drive in our truck but I refuse in the rv. We travel from Durango through Telluride around to Ouray, another gorgeous drive and not quit so tense. We camped in Ouray Ridgeway area this past summer hoping to get back again this year.
In our opinion, Gail, It's some of the best of what Colorado has to offer. But that drive is not for the faint of heart, for sure!
I travel for a living, but this is extremely beautiful.
Thank you Victor! It's the best of Colorado in our opinion.
You should see it in the fall. The wife and I drive it every fall to see the breath taking colors.
@@leongallegos4477 we can only imagine. In the San Juans, though, I imagine that catching fall colors at their prime is a tricky exercise in timing, for the weather there can turn in a blink of an eye.
Another bucket list item.
It is! That's why we returned two years in a row. We just love the San Juans.
I drove over Red Mountain Pass today from Silverton going north. It was a beautiful drive. I pulled our 5th wheel and our UTV trailer with my 1 ton truck. Beautiful area. The Museum, Mayflower Mill and the Old 100 mine tour is a fun and educational. The roads up there is wow.
Sounds like you enjoyed it as much as we did! That's great to hear, thanks for sharing.
@@GrandAdventure We also rock hounded and that is priceless. Thanks for posting.
This piece of music started playing at 1:06 somehow made me cry. Thanks for sharing.
Well then, *that* didn't accomplish our objective! LOL Thanks for watching and commenting Lee!
There is another way back to Silverton from Lake City over Cinnamon pass just south of Lake City it takes you back to the Anamas Forks then to Silverton. It is also a great 4x4 road with allot of scenery.
Very true, Radioman. I should've phrased it differently, but the point I was trying to make is that it's a LONG way back around on pavement!
That's true Mark it is along way around by pavement. Love your videos keep up the good work.
@@Radioman-1957 and please keep watching - thank you!
And Stony Pass but must be high clearance
Thank you Marc for posting this video! In watching this I think I will head to SoCal Via Albuquerque and Phoenix LOL - I'll save Ouray to Silverton for July!
July is a much better decision than February, Marce, when Silverton is likely to buried in 6 feet of snow and temperatures down near 0ºF overnight. 😉
As I watch your video, it gave me the sensation of driving the highway as I did few years ago!...my sister and I stayed in Durango, we had planned a day trip sightseeing the million dollar highway upto Telluride, it was awesome! However some areas were tight, but not scary at all, as long as no one is driving higher than 35-40 in certain spots, your good! But you managed to have good weather, it rained on our trip, but it was worth it! Nice video!!!
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! It really is an amazing drive.
August 31, 2018, I was going thru Wolf Creek Pass. September 1-2, 2018, I was at the Labor Day Weekend Show @ the FOUR CORNERS FOLK FEST in Pagosa Springs, CO. September 3rd, I was in Durango on my way up Hwy 550. I was just two days a head of you. September 4th I was at the TIE FORK Rest Area, Spanish Fork, Utah. On the 5th I was in Ogden, UT
Yep, you are just ahead of us until you got to Ouray. from there, you headed northwest to our home state, well we headed north east towards Cheyenne.
We traveled the "Million Dollar Highway" a few years back, going from Ouray south to Durango. My wife was white knuckles most of the way, and she wasn't the one driving!! I thought it was hair-raisng in a mini van, can't imagine going thru there with a wider wheel base camper!
It's definitely unsettling, but oh-so-worth it to get to Silverton.
Wow loved this Mark. Loved the fantastic views. Juliet said she would prefer Ice cream but she would try anything once (re the funnel cakes). Keep em coming Mark. Take care Phil👍😀
Julie, they serve I've cream too! Thanks guys!
We are headed here this year.... Marc, thanks for another great video!
Have fun D! It's a spectacular area, one our favorites in the whole state.
Funnel cakes every day? Rocky Mt sugar high! Nerves of steel on the Engineer Pass road, Marc. The gorge is a breeze going north. Southbound it the sweaty palms part! Here is a trivia note. Ridgeway it the home of the maker who produces all the Grammy gramophone awards. Nice work, Marc.
Hey, we split those funnel cakes! ;) Cool factoid on Ridgeway! Engineer Pass was fairly easy compared to some of the off-road stuff we've done in the Moab area, but it was one heluva drop. As my friend who's taught me what little climbing I know once told me, "Everything below your feet (or in this case, off the road to the left) is just background noise." And as for the Uncompahgre Gorge, you're right -- we did it southbound last year. Thanks for your comment!!
It's closed by avalances and epic snow fall right now. Nice job wonderful area. We live here and between these areas and Moab...paradise
A beautiful place to call home! I heard about the avis, a ski buddy just returned to SLC from some Silverton skiing.
Beautiful State of Colorado I never knew! 👍 Keep the adventuring going! 😀
We certainly will, Mason - thank you!
Back in 1992, before my disability laid me low, I was a tour bus driver based out of Flagstaff. I'd often get charters that took me up to Mesa Verde and Durango. The first time I went to Silverton with my 40 foot by 8-1/2 foot tour bus, it was white-knuckles all the way with 40 passengers who didn't notice how much I was sweating.
LOL! I'm sure!! It definitely gets easier after the first pass through. ;)
The San Juan’s are part of my backyard, and always love seeing them. Just one suggestion Ouray is pronounced “you-ray”.. 😃
Yeah, over here in Utah they pronounce the town with the same name differently. Our bad! Thanks for keeping us honest. And you have a gorgeous backyard.
@grumpy old fart our country's quirkiness can be fascinating sometimes.
@grumpy old fart Prescott, AZ. Prescott, ON. Also two different pronunciations. 😀
Once again you provided us with another bucket list destination super thanks!
Thank you, Tom!!
I just found your channel and I Love it. You make the best videos I have seen anywhere. We drove the million dollar highway close to twenty years ago and never knew it was the million dollar highway, as a trucker it was just another road from point a to point b. we rode the train from durango to silve ton and back. then drove back to silverton for breakfast the next morning then to grand junction . I don't even remember going thru Ouray. what a place. I have been thru it and didn't know it. Did I say we Love your videos . you must have been a video production person in your previous life. I would love to meet some time.
Keep an eye out for us out there, Danny! Really appreciate your comments, and we are thrilled to have you as a subscriber. Your kind words are very much appreciated.
Nice video. The area really is spectacular and I feel blessed to live in this part of the world a portion of each year. The Million Dollar portion of US 550 is the stretch between the town of Ouray (pronounced U Ray) and the town of Silverton only and excludes the portion from Silverton to Durango though many call it so by mistake. To many locals and historians the true portion of The Million Dollar Hwy is the 12 miles from Ouray to the top of Red Mountain Pass that was built by Otto Mears in 1883 as a toll road to connect Ouray to Ironton. Ridgway State Park is a wonderful, clean, full service park to camp (both tent sites to full size RV's) that is situated on the Ridgway Reservoir with spectacular views of the San Juan and Cimmaron mountains just a few miles north of the town of Ridgway. The town of Ridgway is the location where the original True Grit movie was made.
Excellent backgrounder - thank you!!
That is an area I've wanted to visit for quite a while. Thanks so much for the narrative which are fantastic!
You're very welcome, Craig -- thanks so much for watching!
Beautiful country. Awesome museum. Thanks for sharing.
True on both, Gringo. Thank you!
Wow fantastic. We were in Durango last fall but did not go up the million dollar highway. We now have to go back and it is all your fault. Thank you for posting !!
Wow, John -- seriously, you were there and not a shred of curiosity made you look north? You must, must, must return! The San Juans are one of the most spectacular parts of the Western US, if not the country, IMO.
Thanks for visiting Rocky Mountain Funnel Cake Factory while you were in Silverton. We enjoy your videos.
We loved it -- Mrs. Grand Adventure couldn't get enough! Thank you.
Marc, Stunning!
You know how to enjoy life.
Another great video.
Thank you so much Mark!
*This is great, I put this on "loop"; and enjoy coffee and a good cigar as I watch! Thanks for sharing Mark. :)*
Ooh! ♥️♥️♥️ a good cigar! We'll have to try that the next time we watch one in our own videos. 😁 Thanks so much Cain!
@@GrandAdventure I know it must be time consuming to edit these and post the videos. If you ever have "spare time"... a cigar on location series might be another big following for you. Good luck on your Grand Adventures!
Makes me want to follow in your footsteps. Looks great 👍
Thank you so much, John! Comments like yours mean a ton to us!
Absolutely beautiful Mark awesome Video!
Thank you so much, Gary!
It looks like there was not enough money left over in the million dollar budget to buy some additional guard rails! It has been a while since I have done that drive and forgot about the lack of roadside shoulders. I do remember concluding at the time that I would never want to do it in snow or ice conditions.
The trip to Engineer Pass also looked exciting. Some of those roads can really get risky when it rains and the tires load up with mud. I was on an improved forest road in Colorado and the mud stuck like glue turning my so called all terrain tires into slicks with packed mud. It was like driving on ice with virtually no steering control. I can only imagine what it would be like on sections of that road without a hard rock base.
I do not think I would go out of my way to drive the Million Dollar Highway with a trailer but it is good to know that it can be done. I would sure hate to have a breakdown or tire failure on some of those sections.
There are some comments on Ridgeway so here is another. Ridgeway was the home for many year for Dennis Weaver who played Chester (Mr. Dillion, Mr. Dillion) on the TV show Gunsmoke. He built an earth friendly home there that was well publicized. One other piece of trivia for the area is Ouray is the home town for C. W. McCall, known for the trucker song Convoy.
This is another excellent video. Thanks!
I love the way some of you folks come up with such interesting tidbits on the locations we've filmed! They're fascinating -- thanks, Bruce!
The wet dirt road thing reaches its worst when there's a lot of clay in the soil. I know the phenomenon of which you speak all too well. I've never been as nervous as I was in Long Canyon, which runs from Potash (west of Moab) up to the canyon rim at Dead Horse Point, Utah. It started drizzling lightly and thereafter I was sliding sideways towards the edge at half a MPH with zero control. Patricia was so nervous that she got out and walked -- I guess that she was letting me go down with the ship! I'd actually rather have bedrock or slickrock -- the grip would be far better without the tread getting all caked up with wet clay, too.
On the other side of Silverton going to Ouray you'll hit Red Mountain and every single time we've been thru there, in June or July, it was snowing or sleeting. That mountain makes it's own weather
Sounds like Patricia is one smart cookie! I believe I found the road on Google Maps satellite view and the portion going through the canyon looks to be a thriller in even dry conditions.
Ok, here is one more trivia item for you. The movie True Grit, starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, was filmed in and around Ridgeway. A cool activity if camping in the area is to go visit some of the memorable sites from the movie. There are places in town with information on the movie and the locations of the various scenes.
Wow love your videos ❤️😎👍🚌thanks for sharing and safe travels
Thank you Tom, we love having you here. Happy trails!
Like always a GREAT ADVENTURE. Safe travels my friend.
Same to you, Gary! Glad you enjoyed, this is one of our favorite episodes.
Marc, awesome segment...I remember it well over 40 years ago when I last went on it! Not much has changed that I can see. Still scary in places.
Thank you Curt! It's easily our favorite part of Colorado.
Awesome video. Will be following your trips. You got some awesome places that you go to. We are new to rving and you are a great help. Than you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Leroy! We're thrilled to have you along!
In our 7 yrs of full timiing and taking the roads out west its still not as curvy as 321 from Tenn. to NC around the lake.
Nor is it as curvy as what seems like 90% of the roads in West Virginia. I'm still dizzy from those!
Love the views from here but no thanks I hit black ice on the grand Mesa and went off the cliff no more cliffhanger
Glad you were OK Gary! That could've turned out far worse.
Love your scenic videos and your narration! That would be a very scary road if you had to pass a big rig while you were on the outside! 😲
There are definitely a few white-knuckle spots, Bill. But the section that requires Rolaids is only about 8 miles long, and it's not really that horrific for anyone truly accustomed to big-mountain driving.
Million Dollar Highway - that’s crazy!!
I’ll have to make sure my wife, Kuuipo Burton, checks out this video - see if she’s up for a drive on that one in the future. 😉
Ram, DO IT! Honestly, it's one of our favorite areas out of all the areas we've traveled to.
Adding this to my 2019 trip. Great video!
Thank you Mark! It's bucket-list caliber, for sure.
Great video! I just drove it 2 days ago in my Winnie Minnie. But it still had so much snow! I'm going to be a camp host up here outside Silverton, Colorado. In the National Forest. This video made me smile! That ride s/b on 550 was White Knuckle! I couldn't take photos both hands were on the wheel, plus so much snow in some places. I realized in your video, that's what I saw.
Thank you for the professional video and if you make it to South Mineral Campground this season, that will be me there. Silverton, Colorado. 👍
Shoot Pandora, we were just there 10 days ago! We went back to finally ride the railroad that had escaped us thus far. That will be tomorrow night's Premiere. Hope you'll join us! We just adore Silverton.
What a great location to be the camp host at!
And the person going up on the bike!
The best time to drive that pass is during winter, you don't have all the tourists to slow you down. You will need good tires for the snow. Have fun.
Plus you get to ski Silverton!
It's closed.
Nice video Mark. Thanks for sharing,
Thank you very much for watching!
Masterfully shot. Concise and factual.
Thank you so very much, Witch Doc!!
Wanting to just look at the beauty of Colorado I typed in; colorful Colorado camping, and you were first up ... your video was absolutely awesome.. a new subscriber ... keep up the good work.. Onward, Onward is the watchword..
Thank you so much Jeff, we're very glad that you found us!
Truly a grand adventure , thank you
It most certainly was, Judy. Thanks for watching!
Dang Marc! New subscriber and i'm checking out your vids. This one was incredible and breathtaking. Outstanding! Let the binge watching begin!
Thank you so much, Chris -- thrilled to have you along!
That dirt road looks scary! Nice views.
Thanks! That road definitely got the heart pumping.
Hi Marc, this is the second video of your collection I have seen. Great 👍
Think I know what I can do the x-mas days. 🤗😉 (you produced a lot of videos till today)😁
Cheers
Volker (from Hamburg Germany)
Thank you Volker! We're thrilled to have you aboard (and sorry that I just assumed UK before...).
Thanks (and don´t worry)
Cheers
Volker
WOW, I'm glad you were driving, and not me! Spectacular views! ML, Zanobia
Mr. Grand Adventure,
This was a spectacular video. You made my wife & I say, "OMG I want to be there". We actually are planning to go the west coast this up coming spring and summer which-could-include Colorado. We haven't decided yet. We have a 35" MH, do you think going to Silverton via Million dollar highway is safe and a possibility for us in our type of coach? Any advice welcome.
This video is awesome and inspiring. Nice job and very good editing. Thanks so much for your time to make and post this video. You should have more subs than you do. We're still growing and we know the time it takes to produce this kind of content.
RVstreet, while at Anvil Camping Area in Silverton filming this episode, our neighbors had a massive Bluebird Class A (you can see it in a couple of the drone shots). They drove the entire length of the MDH, although they did drive their toad separately to reduce the load. Semis drive that road all day long. We're pretty certain that you'd be fine.
And thank you for such kind words! The subs are growing slowly but surely, and yep -- we started on this week's new video at 7 a.m. this morning, it's now 7:20 p.m. here and we haven't come up for air yet. Another hour or two and all should be done. As we can see you're building your channel (and we're heading off now to subscribe), you know what we're talking about!
Oh, and BTW...as you're heading to the West Coast in 2020, this Wednesday's new episode that we've been working on all day is from Oregon -- all of Oregon, including the High Desert, the Cascades and the Oregon Coast.
we will definitely b looking for that latest video. Good job and we know all to well how much work goes into producing this content. Glad to be aboard.@@GrandAdventure
Very nicely done!
Thank you Carol! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Thank you for putting up a awesome video. That might be something that we will do one day. Olivia 8 years old from western NC.
Well, thank you Olivia!! We're SURE that you'll do that and much more one day!
Marc ☕️ Just wanted to drop in and say howdy since I came over from RV Texas Y'all. I've subscribed, and look forward to watching more of your high quality - content packed videos! 👍🏼
Thank you so much, Ben! We're thrilled to have you here. Hopefully you can join us for tonight's Premiere event at 8pm Central, at czcams.com/video/hV4_-8Lr8GI/video.html
great video. awesome camera work!!
Thank you so much¡
Well done! Just subbed. Awesome content!
Thank you! Thrilled to have you here!
Love it!
Thank you!
Hi. First time watching your vids. And new sub. Love that type of travel. I have been on quite a bit but I am looking forward to much more in my retirement years. Will be traveling with toy hauler so the tour bike will always be with me, best way to see the scenery is without windows. Regards, Jim
The tour bike will be a wonderful way to see the countryside, Jim! We're thrilled that you've found us, thank you very much for your comment, and best wishes for your upcoming retirement travels!
Grand Adventure , For sure. I’m in SE Michigan except for a 4 year stint in Houston in the early 80’s. Have ridden to Niagara Falls, Cape Cod, Savanah, Florida, Natchez, Yellow Stone, Beartoothe Pass, Branson and a couple of K in the Smokey’s. I’m really, really looking forward to My Adventures.
@@bigjimflying7195 we're so happy for you!!
Spectacular. Thanks. Love your channel
Thank you as always, Spell Madam! This episode has now worked its way up to our most-watched video ever.
@@GrandAdventure do you guys have a pay pal or tip jar or something?
@@spellmadam2947 we do not, for it always feels uncomfortable asking for something for nothing. However, all of our video descriptions have Amazon Affiliate links to stuff that we use, so if you click on one of those before ordering on Amazon we get a small commission on your purchase. Likewise, we offer Grand Adventure merchandise at teespring.com/stores/GrandAdventure, where we make a small profit on each item sold. Once our subscriber base grows to a sufficient size we may offer CZcams memberships, or Patreon for some extras, meet-and-greets and behind-the-scenes stuff for our more ardent fans, but that's a ways off -- if we even do that at all. Thanks for asking!
@@GrandAdventure thanks for the info. We truly appreciate your channel style and content. You really do make it about the adventure
@@spellmadam2947 love your comment, Spell Madam! Thanks so much for being here, it means the world to us.
Awesome thank you
Thank you Joe!
Imagine bringing an off road RV over Engineers pass? Lol. Can't be done?
We're muricans! Anything can be done!
Seriously though, LOVE to wake up to that sight with a trailer up there.
So would we, but sweet Jesus that would be terrifying! 😄
Hey, just found your channel while watching other Colorado videos. ..trying to plan a trip! Not my first time to Colorado but time actually vaca here....any suggestions. ..I really want alot of outdoor time!!
So glad that you found us! Happy to try to help, Jimmy, but what exactly will you be looking for? Let's narrow it down a bit.
Look one of the first tiny homes in that caboose.
It would certainly make a unique one!
Огромное спасибо за видео!
Добро пожаловать!
Awesome!!!
Ohhhhh, we want to do this so badly! We actually planned a trip tonight while sitting here watching this. But....one things, we'd love to camp at Anvil. We have a Roo hybrid travel trailer....all hard sides but then has the beds that unfold like a popup on both sides. What about wild life? Bears? What do you think?
I wouldn't worry about it at all. The area is surely bear habitat, but we did not see any evidence of bear activity at the campsite. Also this is too far south for grizzlies, it would only be black bears. If you avoid all areas that are potential bear habitat, you will miss out on some amazing camping opportunities, and this is one of our favorite destinations of all time. Go and have fun!
@@GrandAdventure Great...thank you! We are ready to watch all your other videos now, so I'm sure I'll be asking more questions. You do a great job!!!!!
@@copswife99 you're very welcome, Kaye, and thanks for watching!
Maybe mountain lions, be careful.
lovely 😍😍😍
Thanks, glad that you enjoyed it.
I just found your channel and am loving your talking, info, and insight. Your video content is wonderful! You put great effort into your craft, and love for this great country! Thank you! I would like to share that I really enjoy your talking/ explaining segments to be great, however I feel your background music to be repetitive and distracting.
Thank you Peggy! We sincerely appreciate you being here, and thank you for the honest feedback. It's a delicate balancing act sometimes, because some of our footage doesn't have audio (the drone shots, for example), or itself has distracting audio (noisy traffic, or other distractions), so something has to take its place. That's why most of us turn to music. But again, your feedback is important and valued!
Beautiful country and great shooting Marc! (Were you holding camera out the window on the rough road to get it that steady?)
I was indeed holding it out the window, Tom. The steadiness, though, comes not from me, but from a 3-way active gimbal in the camera, a DJI Osmo+.😎
Is it ok if I ask what kind of drone that is? Hubby and I are heading out there in May! So excited love the video and thanks for the great info! Happy trails
Of course you may ask, Cindy! It's a DJI Mavic Pro, and we just did an episode on precisely that topic: czcams.com/video/uT7NTiopOww/video.html You'll love the San Juans, although May can still be a bit snowy in those parts, especially this year. Thanks for watching!
Hi Mark, super video. Do I assume you drove the million dollar highway with your RV? Any size restrictions?
Thank you Carl! Yes, we towed the RV the entire length, and this video was shot in the second summer in a row in which we did so. Semis drive the Million Dollar Highway all day long, so there are no size restrictions -- although with its sharp turns and non-existent shoulders or guardrails, the 10-mile Uncompahgre Gorge section is the white knuckle portion. It's definitely more intimidating southbound than northbound.
Thank Mark. I do believe I have seen nearly all your videos. Super job!
@@carlshapiro615 thanks again! We sincerely appreciate it.
Million dollar highway. We hope to do it this summer. Okay for a 26’ bummer pull? Thanks
Absolutely, that's exactly what we were pulling! In our opinion the area surrounding the MDH is the best that Colorado has to offer -- it's a stunning area.
Grand Adventure Thanks!
Forget giving the driver gray hairs.. give the passenger (me) a sedative!!
😄
WOW
Highway 550 is sketchy coming from Durango to Silverton.. No clue how you managed to make it there with those steep hills
Living in Utah, we're used to those big hills. But FYI Ouray to Silverton is actually worse, thanks to the gorge that's photographed in the thumbnail.
I'm currently near potato hill mountain about 15 minutes from Silverton. I drove it without my 27' aspin trail. White knuckled it just driving without the rv... I couldn't imagine having the RV. Best bring a parachute if I do try it.
@@ethanschneider2422 enjoy yourself, we adore those San Juans.
I just went back to revisit this video because I really want to do the Million Dollar hwy. I just wanted to know if you would recommend not doing it towing a fifth wheel that’s just shy of 13 feet tall when hooked up. Would it be safe? Love your videos by the way. They are more tailored towards the adventure that’s out there instead of the life style that others seem to do.
Thank you Jerold! Our own decision-making process regarding the MDH would hinge more on overall length than height. There are no height obstructions to worry about -- the single tunnel has plenty of height for even large semis that drive US-550. There are just a couple of tight turns with some no-error drop-offs in the Uncompahgre Gorge segment of the road just south of Ouray. If you're comfortable with big mountain driving with unprotected drops off roads with zero shoulder, and also comfortable with knowing where the trailer wheels are tracking on tight turns, you'll be fine. It will definitely get anyone's adrenaline pumping, but understand that semis drive that road all day long.
@@GrandAdventure my fifth wheel is just shy of 40 feet and I have driven mountain roads quite a bit so I would be fine but not sure about my wife. She freaked out going through the Ozarks in my mustang. Thanks again. Looking forward to seeing you someday.
@@jeroldkiekhafer7141 yeah, if that's the case she might just give birth on US-550. 😄 We look forward to seeing you out there.
Not being from there, what do people do if they have a flat tire with no where to pull over?
You'll pretty much be creating one-lane traffic until it's fixed.
Good question. Also, I don't care for the lack of guardrails along the highway.
i have drived on the road twice . i thought the road is in ut
What turn off for mineral creek camping🤔 just subbed
Thrilled to have you along, Greg! Here's a Google Maps pin: goo.gl/maps/b6ymjnWpuH3YPdCj7
Turn off US-550 onto County Road 7.
For hotel stay. Should I stay in Silverton or Ouray?
If it were me, Silverton is a much cooler place for an overnight stay, but the accommodations are probably nicer in Ouray.
Seeing that coal burning train still in service just goes against all the "green" Colorado has to offer.
You raise a decent point, Tom; however, in my mind the historical value of that train overcomes the emissions from its coal burning.
Marc,
I have a 40' toy hauler pulled by a F450. Is this highway suitable for such a rig? Great video, btw.
Blake, as long as you're not wigged out by the drop-offs you'd be fine. Plenty of cornering room, and that F-450 has plenty of muscle for the grades.
@@GrandAdventure good deal. I don't mind drop offs but tight, steep switchbacks can be a problem.
Understood, with that kind of total length. But the curves have a decent radius -- semis drive that road.
If you mean the Alpine Loop/Engineers Pass. We made it over in our long bed F350 Crew Cab 4WD 6.7L with a few spots that we had to back and fill around a couple of switchbacks. But let me point out that we have a lot of experience driving roads like this. I did not think this road was particularity difficult tho. Engineers Pass itself was closed by a landslide and we took the Cinnamon Pass route. Cinnamon Pass was absolutely spectacular, better that what I saw of Engineers in this video. The road surface was in a bit better condition when we went thru and we went the other way starting in Lake City.
We did have some Jeep owners come over and ask how the long bed did.
Impressive doing that in a long bed F350, Bryan! I'm pretty sure that Blake was referring to US-550, however, as he referenced towing his 40' toy hauler. I could be wrong, though, for it wouldn't be the first time. Blake, if you're talking about Engineer, don't even think about towing up there.
Have a 32 foot Jayco will have any problem on the million Dollar highway want to camp in Silverton
The RV shouldn't give you any issues at all. Just make sure that you're prepared to handle some substantial mountain driving, and you'll be fine.
I have a 5’er that is max height 13’5”. It appeared that tunnel said 13’9”. Obviously above my height but it was a rounded tunnel. Do you think the rig would fit??
As we're 11'0", I confess that we really didn't give it a close look. Unfortunately we'd be looking at the video for answers the same way that you are.
I was wondering about that height clearance too. Does anyone know if that 13'9" is at the top of the arch or on the side? I'm at 13'4" and I would hate to think I have it made only to find out the part of the arch slopes down and is only 12'6" or something like that on the side.
Too scary for me! 😈😱👻☠️
It's really not that bad, especially if you're in a van.
👍👍👍
Ouray ....
The O is silent..
Pronounced Uray
Yep, we screw up local pronunciations all the time.
@@GrandAdventure it is all good, born and raised in Gunnison and drove truck all over Wolf Creek, Monarch Durango and Silverton..
Miss being at Home...
Which way did you take to go back?
We just did a one-way trip through, Michelle.
at 12:40 where are you ?
That is at the top of Engineer Pass, east of Silverton.
Your videos are 99% awesome, but unfortunately the 1% absolutely prevents me from ever finishing one. You have a habit of choosing music with a high pitch annoying drone to it. Otherwise I hope to see you on the road.
Hope to see you out there too, Nita -- appreciate your feedback! I'll throw out there that if I actually used my own music collection instead of stock music, we'd probably only have about 3 or 4 subscribers. 😜
O H YEEEA, BRINGS BACK MEMORIES... WIFE & I went there Back in 76 on our honeymoon , & 2 more times years later with kids... AND LEST anyone ever think i'm a mean overbearing cranky sort, the last time we ever drove that road, & our daughters boyfriend was with us as well when I LOUDLY ANNOUNCED TO ALL in the VAN, THAT they should look and enjoy the Beauty & ALL that the trip had to offer, and site-see to their hearts content❗️ B U T, While I am driving, I do not want to hear anything in the car in the way of ooooH's & AHHHS,
AND I D@&#$% SURE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANY LOUD SCREAMS ABOUT "LOOK" LOOK at the EAGLE"
because I want to keep my eyes AND FOCUS SOLIDLY ON WHAT I am doing AND WHERE i am driving 😠
TO ALL who have been there, I'm sure you know the feeling😰 LET THE DRIVER DRIVE, AND just keep your mouth shut and no sudden pointing or loud gasps😃👉 Actually, I'm ready to go back, it's only the wife & I now... AND SHE KNOWS MY RULES😁😂 GREAT VIDEO👍😊 ✌️
Thank you, David! Both for your compliments and for sharing your stories. Indeed, we know that eyes-on-the-road feeling rather well.
It is pronounced, “YOU RAY”.
Beat me to it...had a place in town for 21 years.
I give your video a thumbs down because of the political commercial I had to watch before I could watch your video
I do not think the video creator has control over which advertisements are displayed. The selection is done by CZcams. It seems unfair to ding creators of a good videos for something which they have no control. However it was upfront of you to explain the thumbs down as most do not.
Larry, I hope that you realize that those pre-roll (and sometimes post-roll) ads are placed there by CZcams and not us. We have no control over what ads CZcams chooses to display. CZcams provides us with a free platform to host, stream, and allow others to discover our video content. In exchange, they earn revenue through advertising the way that just about every other website does. I'm sorry that you were disappointed by their advertising.
Larry, you were being facetious weren't you? You DO know that CZcams controls those and the creator has NOTHING to do with it. In fact the cookies on YOUR computer are more likely read to determine what kind of videos you see.
@@bruceh3786 I second that - it's often a mystery why people give a thumbs down, and I appreciate knowing why. What some may not realize is that a thumbs down really does ding the creator because it affects CZcams's algorithm on how folks discover your videos and your channel.
I'll ask on Marc's behalf, since you were so kind as to say why you gave it a thumbs-down and might now understand it's not his fault... would you consider reversing your thumbs down to a thumbs-up. Google unfortunately puts more weight on a thumbs-down than a thumbs-up and while there's inevitably someone who won't like the content of most videos... you have to agree, he's put together a great piece here. Thanks!