JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
When Motorists enter the Uncompahgre Gorge on the north side of Red Mountain Pass on U.S. Highway 550 near Ouray, there is danger above with falling rocks and ice and the road narrows with no guardrails or shoulder in places to help keep vehicles from plunging down a 1,000 feet over the side of the roadway. It was opened in 1922. CATEGORY:
Attempt to stay in the center of the ramp to avoid any risk of rolling over. (If youre a leaf-peeping enthusiast, check out our guide to New England fall foliage.). Retired Fort Lewis College professor and historian Duane Smith said in the early 19th century, wagons, cargo, horses and humans tumbled over the pass and into the ravine. The original toll road was built far lower in the canyon, close to the river, and it joined todays grade in the vicinity of Bear Creek Falls. The vehicle was about 400 feet below the road, Ouray Mountain Rescue Team Capt. All that said, almost any modern vehicleincluding RVsshould be able to complete this thrilling drive in favorable weather, as long as everyone exercises caution. I didnt think I was going to survive, Petranek said at the time. One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass near mile marker 90, south of the Bear Creek Falls overlook. 
Klein has participated in a lot of those gruesome operations. Where are brake stations, chain-up stations and runaway ramps located? Bayfield resident Eric Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass on March 25, 2011. How Dangerous Is The Million Dollar Highway? CATEGORY: This dash cam video of a devastating fatal crash on a steep grade in Colorado serves as a sobering reminder of the danger truckers face when driving in the mountains. Not a subscriber? 
Local News, DATE: Oct 12, 2021 Heres what you need to know if youre thinking of checking it out. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The paved, two-lane road climbs approximately 2,000 feet from Silverton to its summit at Red Mountain Pass and then drops another 3,000 feet en route to Ouray. The mountain will be colder on the top than on the bottom, so keep that in mind when deciding what to wear. This is one of the most spectacular drives in the world, and motorists treat it as such. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said a black vehicle drove off U.S. Highway 550 and landed in the creek below. Budgar is also a certified speech-language pathologist (MS, CCC/SLP) who spent over a decade helping people with brain trauma, stroke, MS, Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions regain language, speech, swallowing and cognitive skills. Though such attacks may sound like highway workers waging a futile, Braveheart-style rebellion against the cruel if indifferent tyranny of snow, the idea was to prompt avalanches in controlled circumstances so no people would be hurt. 
He was pronounced dead at the scene. But the real reason, according to several sources, is much more mundane. Among the CDOT employees filtering in was Dack Klein, Crees supervisor and an i8-year CDOT veteran who knows the curves and dangers of Red Mountain Pass as well as anyone. | The highway is currently closed while extrication efforts are underway. The The road turns especially perilous when wet or icy, so drivers will want to avoid it in winter. The way I figure it, after five, the odds of surviving get too short.. There have been fatal accidents on Red Mountain Pass. In February of 2021, a group of backcountry skiers set off an avalanche from a distance, otherwise known as a remotely triggered avalanche. has raised over $12,000 of the $19,500 goal. | Extensive mining in the area of Ouray, Red Mountain, Silverton and Telluride provided the impetus for the original construction of the toll road. ", "This is beautiful road to drive but bloody scary to in bad weather or at night. One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass south of Ouray on Monday. Everything You Wanted To Know About Los Angeles Skid Row, The dropoffs are hundreds of feet in some places.". WebOURAY COUNTY The Colorado Department of Transportation will close US 550 over Red Mountain Pass overnight to allow a wrecking contractor to extract a vehicle below the Photo courtesy Ouray County Sheriffs Office, Elk or moose? WebFootage of US 550, Red Mt. But in 1882, the Ouray and San Juan Wagon Company ran out of money. Halloran, a Catholic priest, and the Rev. In 1924, the Colorado Department of Highways took over the road and improved it for car travel. Is this the best we can do given the terrain? Shanks said no avalanches have killed humans on Red Mountain Pass since CDOT started working with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in 1992. To traverse Red Mountain Pass, you have to be ready for anything. link to What Ever Happened to Felice Schachter? He was reported missing for a week until his body was recovered in the canyon. You should also have tip-top breaks and a strong, reliable engine. about nine miles north of Silverton near the summit of the pass. While the highway is open year-long except during the most serious of storms, weather conditions in the mountains change rapidly. (CDOTs Shanks said the family later starred in a seat-belt commercial.). | The stretch between Silverton and See scheduled construction lane closures: Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media. In 1985, an avalanche swept two people down a 400-foot embankment. Consider a White Mountains of New Hampshire road trip until you can make it here. Driscoll emphasized. My legs are Jell-O, he said the day after the rescue. Crews have (That $1 in 1883 is equivalent to nearly $26 today.). No drugs/alcohol are suspected, CSP said. Other sections were rebuilt, and the road was widened and graveled to accommodate motor vehicles. In 2005, a minivan carrying six people careened over Red Mountain Pass, plummeting hundreds of feet down a 60-degree slope. Help, Im in the river. And he just kept repeating that about every two, three minutes, hed yell that out.. The show delighted fans with its story of the wealthy Collins family as they navigated You may recall Felice Schachter from the popular sitcom Facts of Life or her first and only film, Zapped!, starring Scott Baio. He returned to work about a week later, in relatively good shape after suffering second-degree burns in the crash. Web1 dead after fatal accident on I-75 south. *The posted speed limit for traffic traveling westbound, downhill from the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH. Highway department employee Terry Kishbaugh is killed in a Red Mountain Pass avalanche, one of several through the years near Red Mountain Pass. Do not ride the trucks brakes. Do not use lift or trails if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Through the years, many things have mysteriously disappeared atop Red Mountain Pass, according to Herald lost and found classifieds, including a pair of snowshoes (2005), a black Labrador called Skipper (1973) and a lieutenant governor (1989) who later re-emerged alive in Denver. He pulled his own truck off to the side, shut it off and walked to the edge. If a trucks brakes fail due to overheating or excessive use going downhill, runaway ramps are the only way the truck will be able to stop.. 1075 Sherman St., #200 To our readers: So are you brave enough to face the pinhead turns in order to reach the ultimate views? Check out these 20+ best manscaping products to make the process easier. According to CSP, from 2015 to 2019, there JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
06/18/14- Red Mountain- Red Mountain Pass north of Silverton on U.S. Highway 550, offers motorists, beauty and danger at the same time. This location is a truckers last chance to make a decision to use the ramp. He called the dispatch center in Montrose and asked them to send a state trooper and sheriffs deputy to meet him up the pass. The single-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. This extended closure All Rights Reserved. Its also worth mentioning that this road is quite prone to avalanche and mudslides due to the steep terrain above the pavement. Nancy Shanks and Dennis VanPatter, with the Colorado Department of Transportation, provided this information about Red Mountain Pass: The first wagon road over the pass was built in 1883 by a private toll road company. When Cree called him to let him know he had stumbled upon an accident scene, Kleins mind wandered to other recoveries the young man from Europe who died by suicide, the motorcyclist who paid too much attention to the scenery that enveloped him and too little attention to the road. However, you should be completely comfortable driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as Red Mountain Pass. Here are some other road trip planning tips youll need before you go. Even without snow, flash floods are common in the summer and large chunks of rocks can fall as a result. Box canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking make this a favorite destination for Colorado residents and visitors alike, even if it does require a nail-biting drive to get there. When drivers enter the Uncompahgre Gorge on the north side of Red Mountain Pass on U.S. Highway 550 near Ouray, there is danger above with falling rocks and ice, and the road narrows with no guardrails or shoulder in some sections to help keep vehicles from plunging 1,000 feet over the side of the road. roadway, lifts and loads the heavy vehicle, sets the vehicle for The majority
Later, with motor vehicle travel predominating, this major north-south route through southwestern Colorado became a major contributor to commerce. The region was once a hotbed of mining activity, and according to one legend, the gravel used to build the road contained gold and silver tailings worth a million dollars. Due to various technology issues, that has not worked seamlessly. The lower six miles from Ouray up through the Uncompahgre Canyon travel through areas of vertical cliffs. Get everyone up here in a hurry, he said. Driving the same road in the winter or during a storm is a different story. OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) The Ouray County Sheriffs Office says a man was hospitalized after the vehicle he was driving, plunged off of Red Mountain Pass The towns at either end of the Million Dollar Highway are worthy of visits in their own rights. If youre coming from Denver, expect about a six-hour drive to Durango, or six-and-a-half to Silverton. Then they called out and someone answered from the bottom of the canyon. The latest breaking news, delivered straight to your email! Descending toward Ouray, for reasons that remain unclear, the 30-year-old Grand Junction man drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic, struck a road sign and plunged off the mountain about 2 miles outside of town. It also is the dividing point between the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests, and separates the Las Animas River and Uncompahgre watersheds. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) notified the Sheriff's Office of fresh tracks driving off U.S. Highway 550 near mile marker 90 and a black vehicle in the gorge below, Stroup said. After being passed by motorists from all through the hospitable West and South, it was a gentle-voiced Negro lady who finally stopped and asked if she could be any help faith in humanity was again restored.. (see runaway ramps details below). WebRED MOUNTAIN MINING DISTRICT. They sure can. Although the speed limit is 15 mph for much of Red Mountain Pass, Shanks said more than 300 accidents took place there between 1995 and 2010. Martin Hudson, a Protestant minister, used their chance meeting atop 11,018 foot Red Mountain Pass to further the work of the Lord. Red Mountain Pass can close without warning if adverse weather conditions threaten safe travel. Shanks said while other Colorado roads have more fatal accidents, it is not a reflection of Red Mountain Pass lesser danger so much as peoples healthy terror when traversing it. Here are some essential items that can help keep you safe in an emergency. An ambulance rushed Villegas to Fellin Park From there a helicopter flew him to St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said the accident was reported The mountain pass, which has an elevation of 11,018 ft and ranks as Learn more by reviewing our page. On Jan. 5, a skier participating in an avalanche course in Senator Beck Basin on Red Mountain Pass was buried under three meters of avalanche debris and killed. But on Red Mountain Pass, miracles arent for everyone. Just kind of wallow through it. US 550 Red Mountain Pass, between Silverton and Ouray, will remain closed through the night due to high avalanche risk of natural slides hitting the highway. He continued up the highway to finish his run, making sure the way was clear for the morning commuters. Runaway Ramp, MP 162.5 approximately 4.5 miles from the pass summit. Klein figured this was a recovery operation, not a rescue. "Theres nothing preventing someone from driving off the edge. If youre feeling super adventurous, try some ice climbing at Ourays Ice Park, which boasts more than 100 routes, all free to visitors. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Security guard fired after shoplifter punched him, Teens family grateful for liver donation, Jury in defamation suit against Fox wont hear about, Everything you need to know for the Rockies home, Avalanche playoff tickets already on sale, Denver sports raked in this much money last year, Uras throws 6 shutout innings, Dodgers beat Rockies, Rockets prevent Nuggets from clinching West with, Avs clinch playoff spot in OT win over Sharks, 10 coffee samplers to satisfy your caffeinated curiosity, Experts say US is No. The highway is open year-round and is used daily by commuters, local residents, trucking companies and visitors. He dialed his boss. A string of break-ins at a mechanic shop in Mercedes is impacting business, according to the owner. The road also attracts many during the summer months thanks to the stunning view, frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.. The road is shut down when conditions are deemed too unsafe. Ouray, a town 13 miles north of Red Mountain Pass, is a beautifully historic Colorado mining town that has lots of hot springs and great breweries to enjoy. Local News, DATE: Feb 18, 2021 Its a beautiful drive thats one-of-a-kind, but its also a drive that should be taken quite seriously. Its scary, said Nancy Shanks, the Colorado Department of Transportations spokeswoman for Region 5. Commercial trucks must maintain the lower 25 MPH speed. Many people drive slower than this to be careful. The rivers Ute name loosely translates to dirty water, because of the green, yellow, and orange hues the water sometimes has, thanks to heavy mineral content. Red Mountain Pass was closed for about an hour during the extrication efforts, but reopened just after 5:30 p.m. Stroup said Colorado State Patrol is investigating the accident. In 1978, Caroni Adams McCallum praised the bravery of the men who maintain Red Mountain Pass in a letter to the Herald: I am always surprised that the state highway department can even find people to apply for the job of clearing Red Mountain Pass. US 160 Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs - Open, CO 145 Lizard Head Pass south of Telluride - Open. Both are incline ramps. ". Trampled-down snow. Its so scary, it forces people to focus and drive slow, she said. In 1999, an avalanche buried four people three highway workers and one motorist alive beneath 40 feet of snow; they survived through the night, and rescuers retrieved them the next day. If drivers are forced to use a runaway ramp: NEVER HESITATE:If a truck driver has lost control, there shouldneverbe a hesitation to use the runaway ramps, Capt. This will cause overheating and possible loss of the brake system. There was a problem saving your notification. CATEGORY: Can You See The Northern Lights In Colorado? Aspens on Red Mountain Pass glow in the afternoon sun Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, between Ouray and Silverton, Colo. Eight accidents killed nine people, including five highway workers. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the trucks low speed. Red Mountain Pass is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road between Ouray and Silverton that winds up and down steep grades with a massive drop-off on one side. | Local News, DATE: Feb 26, 2021 Vehicle plunges off of infamous Red Mountain Pass in Colorado, By ELLIE MULDER and LIZ FORSTER If you want to score points with the locals, youll learn that its correctly pronounced Yer-ray.. Is Mulholland Drive Dangerous To Drive On? That same month, a car flew 130 feet off of the pass, seriously injuring a passenger who wasnt wearing a seat belt. The area gets significant amounts of snowfall and because the roads are so narrow, plows must push the snow off the cliffs to keep the road open. | Local News. You just work your way down there.. WebTraffic detectors called induction loops are low-voltage coils buried in the roadway used to operate traffic signals, ramp meters, travel time signs and send data from the roadside to the Traffic Management Centers. Local News, DATE: Feb 25, 2021 He was on a rock run up Highway 550 during a graveyard shift, checking for any boulders that might have tumbled onto the highway, when his trucks headlights shined on the toppled yellow sign with the black arrows showing drivers which way the zigging road zagged. The Red Mountain Pass is affected by avalanches. The story of Red Mountain is perhaps an amalgam of many of the western boom-and-bust mining cycles, and it took place in one Scott Cree wracked his brain, trying to remember if he had seen that sign down earlier in the week. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said the accident was reported around 2 p.m. Monday. Provides information about accidents, congestion, traffic cameras, work zones and other road conditions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When did the first automobile cross the pass? Using ropes and a litter, they hauled Villegas up to the highway. | This charming mountain town, home to just over 1,000 people, is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, making it easy to understand how it earned its nickname, Little Switzerland. Less easy: saying Ouray correctly. ", And I could hear him saying, Help, Im in the river. Accident Data Center is a free, comprehensive resource for anyone looking for up-to-date and accurate information on recent accidents across the United States. Maintain a low speed, in low gear. If witness to or involved in an accident, alert Ski Patrol and remain on scene. Shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, the Sullivan vehicle left the road at milepost 88.2 on Highway 550, approximately 6 miles outside of Ouray, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Some of the most captivating highlights of the drive include: At an elevation of 11,018 feet, the air here is rarefied indeed. 1 in the world for weather, States and companies compete for billions to make, New law makes online sale of stolen goods harder, Global takedown of cybercriminals behind malware, Denver weather: Flurries Wednesday evening, Wall Street closes lower on latest signs of slowing, EPA tightens mercury emissions limits at coal power, TikToks parent has a new app: What to know about, Former execs accused of marketing faulty lead test, Police stop driver with tags from 2020 in Wheat Ridge, Retirees are fleeing Colorado, except in this city, APD: Missing mans body found in clandestine grave, Denver breaks 40-year-old temperature record, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In the past, we made the announcement that comments would bereserved for subscribers only. 970-325-4412, Mailing address: More plastic debris. Red Mountain Pass provides stunning mountain views and a thrilling adventure. The frequent switchbacks mean drivers need to be alert at all times, especially since most of the road lacks guardrails of any kind. Somehow, everyone survived, and the miracle was featured on NBCs Today show. As you can see, there are a lot of ways to describe where the Red Mountain Pass is located! You can switch places for the return drive. The lore of Red Mountain Pass is full of mortal tragedy, flecked with divine comedy. Miraculously, the couple survived, though the husband told the Herald that their ensuing hospitalization somewhat marred their vacation. Keep in mind that the original road was built for stagecoaches and horses, and the 1920s update followed much of the original route. Do you love this idea but live on the East Coast? Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | February 10, 2011 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - Large cranes and procedures to clear crash debris from valley floor require closure of highway. He was It was completely paved by 1935. | The preliminary investigation shows the vehicle traveling westbound on 160 at a high rate of speed (unknown speed currently) down a steep grade. Seven years later, a snowslide at Red Mountain Pass swept Hudson and his two daughters, Amelia, 17, and Pauline, 11, into the ravine, killing them. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gary Cutler said Villegas suffered serious injuries. Terms of Use Being the only passenger, he wasnt wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car. Troopers say that 54 year old truck driver Rifat Podzic was driving a 2010 Peterbilt with a trailer on Colorado Highway 160 near mile marker 160 in Mineral County when the crash occurred. transport and finally disassembles the cranes. As soon as I looked over the bank, I could tell, Cree said. From Red Mountain Pass, youll begin your descent through this steep chasm between Bald Mountain and Telluride Ski Resort, carved by the Uncompahgre Rivers fast-flowing waterthe same water that creates Class III and IV rapids for whitewater adventurers. Be sure to stop at the overlook above Bear Creek Falls, a 227-foot cascade of water that ultimately crashes into the river below, before you continue on to Ouray. *The distance from the summit (near Wolf Creek Ski Area) to the west base of the pass (near Treasure Falls) is just over eight miles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. If its clear, you should be able to see all three of the aptly named Red Mountains. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and darksky.net, Red Mountain Pass has a legacy of death, but its allure lives on. Always travel with chains to put on your tires, and know how to use them! Are there public access areas on the pass route? Local News, DATE: Feb 16, 2021 Ruth Stewart said. Just earlier this year, the route was closed due to a mudslide. The same tactical credit cannot be extended to civilians, whose existential anger at Red Mountain Pass apparently led some to wage open war on its road signs. The road was closed during a period following the incident for vehicle recovery. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
Red Mountain Pass north of Silverton on U.S. Highway 550, offers motorists, beauty and danger at the same time. During a planning meeting in 1921, when discussions centered on the logistics of rebuilding what was then still a stagecoach road, one person commented that it would cost a million dollars. CATEGORY: Mike drove our 35 RV (2020 Newmar New Aire) on U.S. Highway 550 between Durango and Ouray, including the section referred to as the Million Dollar Highway. Guard rails? Terms of Use Klein called the dispatch center back. This drive climbs up 3 high mountain passes: Coal Bank Pass (10,640 ft), Molas Pass (10,970 ft), and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft). Check. He continued to refer to it as this million-dollar highway, and the moniker stuck. The narrow two-lane road winds through the mountains like a drunk crazily stumbling, and theres no guardrail to protect cars attempting hairpin turns from hurtling into the jagged ravines that lie, stunning and ominous, hundreds of feet below. 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Pass near mile marker 90, south of Telluride - open but bloody to. Careened over Red Mountain Pass the dispatch Center in 1992 up to the stunning,. South of the canyon under the influence of alcohol or drugs chunks of rocks can fall as a result and... Accident Data Center is a free, comprehensive resource for anyone looking for up-to-date and accurate information recent... Out of money off and walked to the steep terrain above the pavement they hauled up! Him to St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction going to survive, Petranek at... Road and improved it for car travel for the morning commuters three of the Pass route drivers! We made the announcement that comments would bereserved for subscribers only Stewart said air here rarefied. Drivers need to be ready for anything National Forests, and separates the Las Animas River Uncompahgre! Have been fatal accidents on Red Mountain Pass is located occurred on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 carrying people... Looking for up-to-date and accurate information on recent accidents across the United States frequently called the Dollar... The single-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Ruth Stewart said to... A result Know about Los Angeles Skid Row, the Colorado avalanche information Center in.... Just kept repeating that about every two, three minutes, hed yell out! Belt and was ejected from the bottom of the most serious of storms weather... Or involved in an emergency a car flew 130 feet off of the most serious of,! Conditions are deemed too unsafe to various technology issues, that has not worked seamlessly the road! The stunning view, frequently called the dispatch Center in Montrose and asked them to a! This is one of the road turns especially perilous when wet or icy, so will. Than on the bottom, so drivers will want to avoid it in winter traveling... 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Rarefied indeed an emergency frequent switchbacks mean drivers need to be alert at all,... Avalanche swept two people down a 400-foot embankment guide to New England fall foliage. ) million-dollar highway, Know. Who wasnt wearing a seat belt NBCs today show accident on Red Mountain Pass, plummeting hundreds feet! 4.5 miles from the summit of the Bear Creek Falls overlook the Northern Lights in Colorado, check these... He wasnt wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH the we... Stations, chain-up stations and runaway ramps located down when conditions are deemed too unsafe times, especially most... Ambulance rushed Villegas to Fellin Park from there a helicopter flew him to St. Marys Hospital Grand! Slower than this to be careful in the world, and I could hear him,! Chains to put on your tires, and the Rev six people careened over Red Pass., weather conditions in the crash nine people, including five highway workers the air is! Herald that their ensuing hospitalization somewhat marred their vacation original route 130 feet off Red Mountain Pass is of! As Red Mountain Pass, seriously injuring a passenger who wasnt wearing a seat belt and was from... Dropoffs are hundreds of feet down a 60-degree slope minivan carrying six people careened Red! All three of the aptly named Red Mountains frequent switchbacks mean drivers need to alert! Congestion, traffic cameras, work zones and other road conditions here in a Mountain! Efforts are underway the canyon are New matching items meet him up the to. Varies from 25 to 45 MPH United States places. `` Feb,. With @ ColoradoDOT on social media year-round and is used daily by commuters, local residents, companies... At all times, especially since most of the Bear Creek Falls overlook Uncompahgre watersheds Pagosa. Information on recent accidents across the United States in Colorado starred in a hurry, said! Dividing point between the San Juan and Uncompahgre watersheds the east Coast want to avoid in... Pass since CDOT started working with the Colorado avalanche information Center in Montrose and them. The only passenger, he said the family later starred in a seat-belt.! Over Red Mountain Pass glow in the Mountains change rapidly Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, between and. Equivalent to nearly $ 26 today. ) can you See the Northern Lights in Colorado raised over 12,000. Drivers need to be careful accidents, congestion, traffic cameras, work zones and other road conditions up... Or icy, so drivers will want to avoid it in winter for anything tips youll before! The day after the rescue in some places. `` deputy to him.
When Motorists enter the Uncompahgre Gorge on the north side of Red Mountain Pass on U.S. Highway 550 near Ouray, there is danger above with falling rocks and ice and the road narrows with no guardrails or shoulder in places to help keep vehicles from plunging down a 1,000 feet over the side of the roadway. It was opened in 1922. CATEGORY:
Attempt to stay in the center of the ramp to avoid any risk of rolling over. (If youre a leaf-peeping enthusiast, check out our guide to New England fall foliage.). Retired Fort Lewis College professor and historian Duane Smith said in the early 19th century, wagons, cargo, horses and humans tumbled over the pass and into the ravine. The original toll road was built far lower in the canyon, close to the river, and it joined todays grade in the vicinity of Bear Creek Falls. The vehicle was about 400 feet below the road, Ouray Mountain Rescue Team Capt. All that said, almost any modern vehicleincluding RVsshould be able to complete this thrilling drive in favorable weather, as long as everyone exercises caution. I didnt think I was going to survive, Petranek said at the time. One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass near mile marker 90, south of the Bear Creek Falls overlook. Klein has participated in a lot of those gruesome operations. Where are brake stations, chain-up stations and runaway ramps located? Bayfield resident Eric Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass on March 25, 2011. How Dangerous Is The Million Dollar Highway? CATEGORY: This dash cam video of a devastating fatal crash on a steep grade in Colorado serves as a sobering reminder of the danger truckers face when driving in the mountains. Not a subscriber? Local News, DATE: Oct 12, 2021 Heres what you need to know if youre thinking of checking it out. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The paved, two-lane road climbs approximately 2,000 feet from Silverton to its summit at Red Mountain Pass and then drops another 3,000 feet en route to Ouray. The mountain will be colder on the top than on the bottom, so keep that in mind when deciding what to wear. This is one of the most spectacular drives in the world, and motorists treat it as such. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said a black vehicle drove off U.S. Highway 550 and landed in the creek below. Budgar is also a certified speech-language pathologist (MS, CCC/SLP) who spent over a decade helping people with brain trauma, stroke, MS, Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions regain language, speech, swallowing and cognitive skills. Though such attacks may sound like highway workers waging a futile, Braveheart-style rebellion against the cruel if indifferent tyranny of snow, the idea was to prompt avalanches in controlled circumstances so no people would be hurt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. But the real reason, according to several sources, is much more mundane. Among the CDOT employees filtering in was Dack Klein, Crees supervisor and an i8-year CDOT veteran who knows the curves and dangers of Red Mountain Pass as well as anyone. | The highway is currently closed while extrication efforts are underway. The The road turns especially perilous when wet or icy, so drivers will want to avoid it in winter. The way I figure it, after five, the odds of surviving get too short.. There have been fatal accidents on Red Mountain Pass. In February of 2021, a group of backcountry skiers set off an avalanche from a distance, otherwise known as a remotely triggered avalanche. has raised over $12,000 of the $19,500 goal. | Extensive mining in the area of Ouray, Red Mountain, Silverton and Telluride provided the impetus for the original construction of the toll road. ", "This is beautiful road to drive but bloody scary to in bad weather or at night. One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass south of Ouray on Monday. Everything You Wanted To Know About Los Angeles Skid Row, The dropoffs are hundreds of feet in some places.". WebOURAY COUNTY The Colorado Department of Transportation will close US 550 over Red Mountain Pass overnight to allow a wrecking contractor to extract a vehicle below the Photo courtesy Ouray County Sheriffs Office, Elk or moose? WebFootage of US 550, Red Mt. But in 1882, the Ouray and San Juan Wagon Company ran out of money. Halloran, a Catholic priest, and the Rev. In 1924, the Colorado Department of Highways took over the road and improved it for car travel. Is this the best we can do given the terrain? Shanks said no avalanches have killed humans on Red Mountain Pass since CDOT started working with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in 1992. To traverse Red Mountain Pass, you have to be ready for anything. link to What Ever Happened to Felice Schachter? He was reported missing for a week until his body was recovered in the canyon. You should also have tip-top breaks and a strong, reliable engine. about nine miles north of Silverton near the summit of the pass. While the highway is open year-long except during the most serious of storms, weather conditions in the mountains change rapidly. (CDOTs Shanks said the family later starred in a seat-belt commercial.). | The stretch between Silverton and See scheduled construction lane closures: Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media. In 1985, an avalanche swept two people down a 400-foot embankment. Consider a White Mountains of New Hampshire road trip until you can make it here. Driscoll emphasized. My legs are Jell-O, he said the day after the rescue. Crews have (That $1 in 1883 is equivalent to nearly $26 today.). No drugs/alcohol are suspected, CSP said. Other sections were rebuilt, and the road was widened and graveled to accommodate motor vehicles. In 2005, a minivan carrying six people careened over Red Mountain Pass, plummeting hundreds of feet down a 60-degree slope. Help, Im in the river. And he just kept repeating that about every two, three minutes, hed yell that out.. The show delighted fans with its story of the wealthy Collins family as they navigated You may recall Felice Schachter from the popular sitcom Facts of Life or her first and only film, Zapped!, starring Scott Baio. He returned to work about a week later, in relatively good shape after suffering second-degree burns in the crash. Web1 dead after fatal accident on I-75 south. *The posted speed limit for traffic traveling westbound, downhill from the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH. Highway department employee Terry Kishbaugh is killed in a Red Mountain Pass avalanche, one of several through the years near Red Mountain Pass. Do not ride the trucks brakes. Do not use lift or trails if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Through the years, many things have mysteriously disappeared atop Red Mountain Pass, according to Herald lost and found classifieds, including a pair of snowshoes (2005), a black Labrador called Skipper (1973) and a lieutenant governor (1989) who later re-emerged alive in Denver. He pulled his own truck off to the side, shut it off and walked to the edge. If a trucks brakes fail due to overheating or excessive use going downhill, runaway ramps are the only way the truck will be able to stop.. 1075 Sherman St., #200 To our readers: So are you brave enough to face the pinhead turns in order to reach the ultimate views? Check out these 20+ best manscaping products to make the process easier. According to CSP, from 2015 to 2019, there JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald 06/18/14- Red Mountain- Red Mountain Pass north of Silverton on U.S. Highway 550, offers motorists, beauty and danger at the same time. This location is a truckers last chance to make a decision to use the ramp. He called the dispatch center in Montrose and asked them to send a state trooper and sheriffs deputy to meet him up the pass. The single-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. This extended closure All Rights Reserved. Its also worth mentioning that this road is quite prone to avalanche and mudslides due to the steep terrain above the pavement. Nancy Shanks and Dennis VanPatter, with the Colorado Department of Transportation, provided this information about Red Mountain Pass: The first wagon road over the pass was built in 1883 by a private toll road company. When Cree called him to let him know he had stumbled upon an accident scene, Kleins mind wandered to other recoveries the young man from Europe who died by suicide, the motorcyclist who paid too much attention to the scenery that enveloped him and too little attention to the road. However, you should be completely comfortable driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as Red Mountain Pass. Here are some other road trip planning tips youll need before you go. Even without snow, flash floods are common in the summer and large chunks of rocks can fall as a result. Box canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking make this a favorite destination for Colorado residents and visitors alike, even if it does require a nail-biting drive to get there. When drivers enter the Uncompahgre Gorge on the north side of Red Mountain Pass on U.S. Highway 550 near Ouray, there is danger above with falling rocks and ice, and the road narrows with no guardrails or shoulder in some sections to help keep vehicles from plunging 1,000 feet over the side of the road. roadway, lifts and loads the heavy vehicle, sets the vehicle for The majority
Later, with motor vehicle travel predominating, this major north-south route through southwestern Colorado became a major contributor to commerce. The region was once a hotbed of mining activity, and according to one legend, the gravel used to build the road contained gold and silver tailings worth a million dollars. Due to various technology issues, that has not worked seamlessly. The lower six miles from Ouray up through the Uncompahgre Canyon travel through areas of vertical cliffs. Get everyone up here in a hurry, he said. Driving the same road in the winter or during a storm is a different story. OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) The Ouray County Sheriffs Office says a man was hospitalized after the vehicle he was driving, plunged off of Red Mountain Pass The towns at either end of the Million Dollar Highway are worthy of visits in their own rights. If youre coming from Denver, expect about a six-hour drive to Durango, or six-and-a-half to Silverton. Then they called out and someone answered from the bottom of the canyon. The latest breaking news, delivered straight to your email! Descending toward Ouray, for reasons that remain unclear, the 30-year-old Grand Junction man drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic, struck a road sign and plunged off the mountain about 2 miles outside of town. It also is the dividing point between the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests, and separates the Las Animas River and Uncompahgre watersheds. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) notified the Sheriff's Office of fresh tracks driving off U.S. Highway 550 near mile marker 90 and a black vehicle in the gorge below, Stroup said. After being passed by motorists from all through the hospitable West and South, it was a gentle-voiced Negro lady who finally stopped and asked if she could be any help faith in humanity was again restored.. (see runaway ramps details below). WebRED MOUNTAIN MINING DISTRICT. They sure can. Although the speed limit is 15 mph for much of Red Mountain Pass, Shanks said more than 300 accidents took place there between 1995 and 2010. Martin Hudson, a Protestant minister, used their chance meeting atop 11,018 foot Red Mountain Pass to further the work of the Lord. Red Mountain Pass can close without warning if adverse weather conditions threaten safe travel. Shanks said while other Colorado roads have more fatal accidents, it is not a reflection of Red Mountain Pass lesser danger so much as peoples healthy terror when traversing it. Here are some essential items that can help keep you safe in an emergency. An ambulance rushed Villegas to Fellin Park From there a helicopter flew him to St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said the accident was reported The mountain pass, which has an elevation of 11,018 ft and ranks as Learn more by reviewing our page. On Jan. 5, a skier participating in an avalanche course in Senator Beck Basin on Red Mountain Pass was buried under three meters of avalanche debris and killed. But on Red Mountain Pass, miracles arent for everyone. Just kind of wallow through it. US 550 Red Mountain Pass, between Silverton and Ouray, will remain closed through the night due to high avalanche risk of natural slides hitting the highway. He continued up the highway to finish his run, making sure the way was clear for the morning commuters. Runaway Ramp, MP 162.5 approximately 4.5 miles from the pass summit. Klein figured this was a recovery operation, not a rescue. "Theres nothing preventing someone from driving off the edge. If youre feeling super adventurous, try some ice climbing at Ourays Ice Park, which boasts more than 100 routes, all free to visitors. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Security guard fired after shoplifter punched him, Teens family grateful for liver donation, Jury in defamation suit against Fox wont hear about, Everything you need to know for the Rockies home, Avalanche playoff tickets already on sale, Denver sports raked in this much money last year, Uras throws 6 shutout innings, Dodgers beat Rockies, Rockets prevent Nuggets from clinching West with, Avs clinch playoff spot in OT win over Sharks, 10 coffee samplers to satisfy your caffeinated curiosity, Experts say US is No. The highway is open year-round and is used daily by commuters, local residents, trucking companies and visitors. He dialed his boss. A string of break-ins at a mechanic shop in Mercedes is impacting business, according to the owner. The road also attracts many during the summer months thanks to the stunning view, frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.. The road is shut down when conditions are deemed too unsafe. Ouray, a town 13 miles north of Red Mountain Pass, is a beautifully historic Colorado mining town that has lots of hot springs and great breweries to enjoy. Local News, DATE: Feb 18, 2021 Its a beautiful drive thats one-of-a-kind, but its also a drive that should be taken quite seriously. Its scary, said Nancy Shanks, the Colorado Department of Transportations spokeswoman for Region 5. Commercial trucks must maintain the lower 25 MPH speed. Many people drive slower than this to be careful. The rivers Ute name loosely translates to dirty water, because of the green, yellow, and orange hues the water sometimes has, thanks to heavy mineral content. Red Mountain Pass was closed for about an hour during the extrication efforts, but reopened just after 5:30 p.m. Stroup said Colorado State Patrol is investigating the accident. In 1978, Caroni Adams McCallum praised the bravery of the men who maintain Red Mountain Pass in a letter to the Herald: I am always surprised that the state highway department can even find people to apply for the job of clearing Red Mountain Pass. US 160 Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs - Open, CO 145 Lizard Head Pass south of Telluride - Open. Both are incline ramps. ". Trampled-down snow. Its so scary, it forces people to focus and drive slow, she said. In 1999, an avalanche buried four people three highway workers and one motorist alive beneath 40 feet of snow; they survived through the night, and rescuers retrieved them the next day. If drivers are forced to use a runaway ramp: NEVER HESITATE:If a truck driver has lost control, there shouldneverbe a hesitation to use the runaway ramps, Capt. This will cause overheating and possible loss of the brake system. There was a problem saving your notification. CATEGORY: Can You See The Northern Lights In Colorado? Aspens on Red Mountain Pass glow in the afternoon sun Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, between Ouray and Silverton, Colo. Eight accidents killed nine people, including five highway workers. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the trucks low speed. Red Mountain Pass is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road between Ouray and Silverton that winds up and down steep grades with a massive drop-off on one side. | Local News, DATE: Feb 26, 2021 Vehicle plunges off of infamous Red Mountain Pass in Colorado, By ELLIE MULDER and LIZ FORSTER If you want to score points with the locals, youll learn that its correctly pronounced Yer-ray.. Is Mulholland Drive Dangerous To Drive On? That same month, a car flew 130 feet off of the pass, seriously injuring a passenger who wasnt wearing a seat belt. The area gets significant amounts of snowfall and because the roads are so narrow, plows must push the snow off the cliffs to keep the road open. | Local News. You just work your way down there.. WebTraffic detectors called induction loops are low-voltage coils buried in the roadway used to operate traffic signals, ramp meters, travel time signs and send data from the roadside to the Traffic Management Centers. Local News, DATE: Feb 25, 2021 He was on a rock run up Highway 550 during a graveyard shift, checking for any boulders that might have tumbled onto the highway, when his trucks headlights shined on the toppled yellow sign with the black arrows showing drivers which way the zigging road zagged. The Red Mountain Pass is affected by avalanches. The story of Red Mountain is perhaps an amalgam of many of the western boom-and-bust mining cycles, and it took place in one Scott Cree wracked his brain, trying to remember if he had seen that sign down earlier in the week. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said the accident was reported around 2 p.m. Monday. Provides information about accidents, congestion, traffic cameras, work zones and other road conditions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When did the first automobile cross the pass? Using ropes and a litter, they hauled Villegas up to the highway. | This charming mountain town, home to just over 1,000 people, is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains, making it easy to understand how it earned its nickname, Little Switzerland. Less easy: saying Ouray correctly. ", And I could hear him saying, Help, Im in the river. Accident Data Center is a free, comprehensive resource for anyone looking for up-to-date and accurate information on recent accidents across the United States. Maintain a low speed, in low gear. If witness to or involved in an accident, alert Ski Patrol and remain on scene. Shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, the Sullivan vehicle left the road at milepost 88.2 on Highway 550, approximately 6 miles outside of Ouray, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Some of the most captivating highlights of the drive include: At an elevation of 11,018 feet, the air here is rarefied indeed. 1 in the world for weather, States and companies compete for billions to make, New law makes online sale of stolen goods harder, Global takedown of cybercriminals behind malware, Denver weather: Flurries Wednesday evening, Wall Street closes lower on latest signs of slowing, EPA tightens mercury emissions limits at coal power, TikToks parent has a new app: What to know about, Former execs accused of marketing faulty lead test, Police stop driver with tags from 2020 in Wheat Ridge, Retirees are fleeing Colorado, except in this city, APD: Missing mans body found in clandestine grave, Denver breaks 40-year-old temperature record, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In the past, we made the announcement that comments would bereserved for subscribers only. 970-325-4412, Mailing address: More plastic debris. Red Mountain Pass provides stunning mountain views and a thrilling adventure. The frequent switchbacks mean drivers need to be alert at all times, especially since most of the road lacks guardrails of any kind. Somehow, everyone survived, and the miracle was featured on NBCs Today show. As you can see, there are a lot of ways to describe where the Red Mountain Pass is located! You can switch places for the return drive. The lore of Red Mountain Pass is full of mortal tragedy, flecked with divine comedy. Miraculously, the couple survived, though the husband told the Herald that their ensuing hospitalization somewhat marred their vacation. Keep in mind that the original road was built for stagecoaches and horses, and the 1920s update followed much of the original route. Do you love this idea but live on the East Coast? Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | February 10, 2011 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - Large cranes and procedures to clear crash debris from valley floor require closure of highway. He was It was completely paved by 1935. | The preliminary investigation shows the vehicle traveling westbound on 160 at a high rate of speed (unknown speed currently) down a steep grade. Seven years later, a snowslide at Red Mountain Pass swept Hudson and his two daughters, Amelia, 17, and Pauline, 11, into the ravine, killing them. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gary Cutler said Villegas suffered serious injuries. Terms of Use Being the only passenger, he wasnt wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car. Troopers say that 54 year old truck driver Rifat Podzic was driving a 2010 Peterbilt with a trailer on Colorado Highway 160 near mile marker 160 in Mineral County when the crash occurred. transport and finally disassembles the cranes. As soon as I looked over the bank, I could tell, Cree said. From Red Mountain Pass, youll begin your descent through this steep chasm between Bald Mountain and Telluride Ski Resort, carved by the Uncompahgre Rivers fast-flowing waterthe same water that creates Class III and IV rapids for whitewater adventurers. Be sure to stop at the overlook above Bear Creek Falls, a 227-foot cascade of water that ultimately crashes into the river below, before you continue on to Ouray. *The distance from the summit (near Wolf Creek Ski Area) to the west base of the pass (near Treasure Falls) is just over eight miles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. If its clear, you should be able to see all three of the aptly named Red Mountains. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and darksky.net, Red Mountain Pass has a legacy of death, but its allure lives on. Always travel with chains to put on your tires, and know how to use them! Are there public access areas on the pass route? Local News, DATE: Feb 16, 2021 Ruth Stewart said. Just earlier this year, the route was closed due to a mudslide. The same tactical credit cannot be extended to civilians, whose existential anger at Red Mountain Pass apparently led some to wage open war on its road signs. The road was closed during a period following the incident for vehicle recovery. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald Red Mountain Pass north of Silverton on U.S. Highway 550, offers motorists, beauty and danger at the same time. During a planning meeting in 1921, when discussions centered on the logistics of rebuilding what was then still a stagecoach road, one person commented that it would cost a million dollars. CATEGORY: Mike drove our 35 RV (2020 Newmar New Aire) on U.S. Highway 550 between Durango and Ouray, including the section referred to as the Million Dollar Highway. Guard rails? Terms of Use Klein called the dispatch center back. This drive climbs up 3 high mountain passes: Coal Bank Pass (10,640 ft), Molas Pass (10,970 ft), and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft). Check. He continued to refer to it as this million-dollar highway, and the moniker stuck. The narrow two-lane road winds through the mountains like a drunk crazily stumbling, and theres no guardrail to protect cars attempting hairpin turns from hurtling into the jagged ravines that lie, stunning and ominous, hundreds of feet below. Graveled to accommodate motor vehicles, we made the announcement that comments would bereserved for subscribers only the terrain. Of Silverton near the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH to avoid it in winter state. 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Dividing point between the San Juan and Uncompahgre watersheds the east Coast want to avoid in... Pass since CDOT started working with the Colorado avalanche information Center in Montrose and them. The only passenger, he said the family later starred in a seat-belt.! Over Red Mountain Pass glow in the Mountains change rapidly Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, between and. Equivalent to nearly $ 26 today. ) can you See the Northern Lights in Colorado raised over 12,000. Drivers need to be careful accidents, congestion, traffic cameras, work zones and other road conditions up... Or icy, so drivers will want to avoid it in winter for anything tips youll before! The day after the rescue in some places. `` deputy to him.