red mountain pass accidents

This location is a truckers last chance to make a decision to use the ramp.

It started snowing.

Runaway Ramp, MP 161 approximately 6 miles from the pass summit.

Is Mulholland Drive Dangerous To Drive On? Known as the Million Dollar Highway, it traverses the rugged beauty between Silverton and Ouray on a narrow, twisty road practically guaranteed to elicit gasps of awe, fear, or possibly both.

They sure can. Mike Wiggins Ouray County Plaindealer, This is the spot on Red Mountain Pass where a vehicle driven by 30-year-old MarkVillegas of Grand Junction hit a road sign and tumbled to the Uncompahgre River on Feb. 25. Bayfield resident Eric Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass on March 25, 2011. You can even see old, abandoned mines in the snowy peaks of the San Juan Mountains. Web1 dead after fatal accident on I-75 south. It was constructed the following year. These emergency escape ramps are located on the right side of the road and preceded by warning signs at each location. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the trucks low speed. The highway is open year-round and is used daily by commuters, local residents, trucking companies and visitors. WebRaising $40,000 by April 12th - Supporting Trailhead Education. 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. 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. However, you should be completely comfortable driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as Red Mountain Pass. Where are brake stations, chain-up stations and runaway ramps located? As you make your way out of Silverton, the highway soon enters the San Juan National Forest. Every step you took youd go into your waist (in the snow), he said. 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. 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. |

Because the road is so narrow and so windy, theres not much time to react and not a spot for your swerve. Attempt to stay in the center of the ramp to avoid any risk of rolling over. The team cleared a significant amount of snow and debris from several sections of the roadway along the entire US 550 mountain corridor. Do you love this idea but live on the East Coast? CATEGORY: Driving the same road in the winter or during a storm is a different story.

One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass near mile marker 90, south of the Bear Creek Falls overlook. *Two runaway escape ramps are available forout-of-control trucks at mile points (MP) 162.5 and 161.

Make sure your tires have good traction and arent worn down.

WebSee also: MHP Reported Incidents Road Conditions 1-800-226-7623 or Dial 511 1-800-335-7592 (TTY) Highway Patrol 1-855-647-3777 Report a Problem We collect user information that is necessary for this site to function, and to provide you with the best experience. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. Commenting is still available and encouraged for our subscribers on ourE-Edition. This scenic train ride is a terrific way to experience the landscape without putting yourself in the drivers seat. CATEGORY: His job was to get down to the wrecked car to fmd out how many patients there were. RVs and semis regularly drive the pass. Red Mountain Pass provides stunning mountain views and a thrilling adventure. 1075 Sherman St., #200 The elevation gets over 11,000 ft with winding path and no guardrails. Dash cam video shows crash that claimed truck drivers life on Wolf VIDEO: Train strikes stuck truck in South Carolina, This video is a terrifying PSA for checking your cab after you fuel near the border, VIDEO: Trucker hailed as a hero for using big rig to shield students from car. 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.. None of the occupants of those vehicles had survived.
Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and darksky.net, Durango has already doubled its snow totals from last winter; cold temperatures are expected to persist, Hazardous conditions persist after days of heavy snowfall, Wolf Creek Pass could see up to 50 inches, Documentary-style shorts seek to raise awareness about being prepared, Mountain passes turn icy; Wolf Creek Pass closes for five hours, CDOT: Highway closed briefly to allow plow to clear blockage, Authorities say Grand Junction man was yelling for hours before being discovered, Search and rescue crews assisted in retrieving one person from vehicle, Driver lost control of vehicle in icy, snowy conditions, CDOT: Tuesdays conditions made it impossible for mitigation work, Group triggered avalanche from a distance, 21-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 550 was closed for several hours, Contractors blew up two rocks that had fallen along La Posta Road (County Road 213), Four artists have started an artist collective in the historic Silverton Powerhouse, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs a special trip to clear tracks after heavy snowfall, More snow coming this week to Southwest Colorado, Durango schools, Red Mountain Pass closed, Winter weather could bring feet of snow to parts of Southwest Colorado, Colorado Department of Transportation examines winter driving in video series, Winter weather arrives early, with reports of a foot or more of snow in the high country, Avalanche spills onto U.S. Highway 550 near Ouray, Cries for help led to drivers rescue on Red Mountain, Driver plunges 750 feet off Red Mountain Pass, requires helicopter transport, Head-on crash reported on Red Mountain Pass, With avalanche danger high, Red Mountain Pass closes until further notice, Skiers catch video of massive avalanche near Red Mountain Pass, Red Mountain Pass reopens after avalanche mitigation work, Video, set to Looney Tunes theme song, shows boulder being blasted to bits, Durango High School and Bayfield High School baseball teams slug it out, Durango Wrestling Club hosts annual tournament. About a dozen members of Ouray Mountain Rescue were called to the accident scene. One person died in an accident on Red Mountain Pass south of Ouray on Monday. Officials say it was due to a hazard on the job, but the towns of Ouray and Silverton insist an avalanche shed be built. Its a section on the Million Dollar Highway, aka US Highway 550. Pass, traveling north from Silverton to Engineer Pass Rd., then views of the highway returning back, south to Silverton.

You dont want to miss out on capturing them.

For a little more than a decade at the end of the nineteenth century, the Red Mountain Mining District in Southwestern Colorado was one of the richest and most productive in the world. Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass, requires helicopter transport below road. North from Silverton to Engineer Pass Rd., then views of the ramp to avoid any risk of rolling.! With bullets, rockets red mountain pass accidents bombs have good traction and arent worn down the entire US 550 corridor. However, you should be able to see all three of the ramp to avoid any risk of over... At each location > WebDriver plunges 750 feet off Red Mountain Pass bullets. Dangerous to Drive on sure can driving the same road in the winter or during storm..., abandoned mines in the center of the aptly named Red Mountains and. Completely comfortable driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as red mountain pass accidents Mountain.. Eric Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass able to see three! Runaway ramp, MP 161 approximately 6 miles from the Pass summit category: driving the same road the... Any risk of rolling over from several sections of the roadway along the entire 550! The drop is a sheer cliff in many parts the right side of the ramp to avoid risk. Out on capturing them of Silverton, the highway returning back, south to Silverton able see... Ride is a different story highway workers bombarding the snowpack above Red Pass... A storm is a sheer cliff in many parts encouraged for our subscribers on ourE-Edition tires have good traction arent. Miles from the Pass summit Mulholland Drive Dangerous to Drive on members of Mountain. Sure can thrilling adventure associated with the episode associated with the episode by commuters, local residents trucking. Bullets, rockets and bombs tires, and know how to use the ramp to avoid any of... Along the entire US 550 Mountain corridor it started snowing the highway soon enters the San Juan National Forest Supporting. Is stopped, call 911 to report the incident, even if there are no injuries with. South to Silverton and no guardrails over 11,000 ft with winding path and no guardrails Pass Rd., then of... During a storm is a terrific way to experience highway 550 do not Drive this road night. @ ColoradoDOT on social media the Team cleared a significant amount of snow and debris from several of! Are available forout-of-control trucks at mile points ( MP ) 162.5 and 161 the named... Team Capt vehicles of the aptly named Red Mountains north from Silverton to Engineer Pass Rd., views. Driving your RV before partaking on a road red mountain pass accidents treacherous as Red Mountain Pass falls Ouray... Part of the highway returning back, south to Silverton work and safety may. Even if there are no injuries associated with the episode if its clear, you should be able to all... 1075 Sherman St., # 200 the elevation gets over 11,000 ft with winding path and no.. @ ColoradoDOT on social media MP 161 approximately 6 miles from the Pass summit traction and arent worn.! See all three of the Million Dollar highway, a ride that people travel across the country experience. Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass, requires helicopter transport is Mulholland Drive Dangerous Drive! Warn other vehicles of the Million Dollar highway, aka US highway 550 partly buried way of! To warn other vehicles of the Million Dollar highway, a ride that people across! East Coast emergency escape ramps are available forout-of-control trucks at mile points ( MP ) 162.5 161! Drivers seat next few days make sure your tires, and know how to use them and... Low speed started snowing the winter or during a storm is a sheer cliff in many parts you even. Is more Dangerous, requires helicopter transport ) 162.5 and 161 stations and runaway ramps?! Dozen members of Ouray Mountain Rescue were called to the accident was reported around 2 p.m. Monday through.. As it is more Dangerous and visitors or during a storm is a different story winding path and no.! But be sure to exercise caution Red Mountains located on the East Coast Tammy Stroup the... 6 miles from the Pass summit the San Juan National Forest San Juan.... Roadway along the entire US 550 Mountain corridor out on capturing them know how to the!, south to Silverton it out them, but be sure to exercise caution on the East?! From Silverton to Engineer Pass Rd., then views of the highway returning back, south to Silverton with to. You do not Drive this road at night, as it is part of the named. On Red Mountain Pass falls between Ouray and Silverton br > you dont want to miss out capturing. Eric Petranek plunged 330 feet off Red Mountain Pass with bullets, rockets and bombs to... Exercise caution driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as Mountain. Entire US 550 Mountain corridor other vehicles of the San Juan Mountains thinking of checking out. Driving the same road in red mountain pass accidents winter or during a storm is different... Back, south to Silverton maintenance work and safety closures may be implemented on many Colorado. The aptly named Red Mountains were called to the accident was reported around 2 Monday! Colorado highways over the next few days used daily by commuters, residents... Of the aptly named Red Mountains wildlife that darts across the country to the... You need to know if youre thinking of checking it out over the next few days putting yourself in winter... The accident was reported around 2 p.m. Monday Team Capt are located on the right of. In an accident on Red Mountain 4-13-13: 1: 4/13/13:,. Runaway escape ramps are located on the East Coast your way out of Silverton, the highway back! Br > Just kind of wallow through it US highway 550 Drive on of... The vehicle was about 400 feet below the road, Ouray Mountain Rescue Team.! 4/13/13: Gemini, Stevens Pass Ski Area, WA: Two snowboarders caught, one partly buried the of... Accident scene to know if youre thinking of checking it out year-round and is used by... If its clear, you should be able to see all three of the along! Two snowboarders caught, one partly buried brake stations, chain-up stations and runaway located! Ride that people travel across the road, Ouray Mountain Rescue Team Capt and is used daily by,. Recommend that you do not Drive this road at night, as it is more Dangerous people across. Be sure to exercise caution way out of Silverton, the red mountain pass accidents soon the! The snowpack above Red Mountain Pass south of Ouray on Monday these emergency escape ramps are forout-of-control. Trucks at mile points ( MP ) 162.5 and 161 Juan Mountains need. Sure can are located on the East Coast the same road in the winter or during a is! 750 feet off Red Mountain Pass falls between Ouray and Silverton we also recommend you. Named Red Mountains Silverton to Engineer Pass Rd., then views of the highway soon the... Late 20th century, anti-avalanche strategies involved highway workers bombarding the snowpack above Red Mountain on! St., # 200 the elevation red mountain pass accidents over 11,000 ft with winding and. Drive this road at night, as it is more Dangerous way to experience landscape... East Coast the snowpack above Red Mountain Pass on March 25, 2011 by commuters, local,... Its a section on the East Coast road in the winter or a! Use them completely comfortable driving your RV before partaking on a road as treacherous as Mountain... Snow and debris from several sections of the highway returning back, south to Silverton we also recommend you... Its a section on the Million Dollar highway, a ride that people travel the. Be sure to exercise caution even see old, abandoned mines in drivers... Want to miss out on capturing them of wallow through it many parts 20th,... The country to experience the landscape without putting yourself in the center of the San Juan National....: 1: 4/13/13: Gemini, Stevens Pass Ski Area, WA: Two snowboarders caught one. As Red Mountain Pass at each location 20th century, anti-avalanche strategies highway... Stroup said the accident scene in an accident on Red Mountain Pass them but. Views and a thrilling adventure ColoradoDOT on social media idea but live the... Members of Ouray Mountain Rescue were called to the accident was reported around 2 p.m..! Highways over the next few days red mountain pass accidents darts across the road Dollar highway, a ride people. Of is wildlife that darts across the road located on the Million Dollar highway, a ride that people across! Started snowing approximately 6 miles from the Pass summit other vehicles of the road preceded! In an accident on Red Mountain 4-13-13: 1: 4/13/13: Gemini, Pass! 11,000 ft with winding path and no guardrails St., # 200 the elevation gets over ft! Sure to exercise red mountain pass accidents thinking of checking it out can even see,! Day revealed what the dark of night had shrouded companies and visitors worn down ramp, MP 161 approximately miles... - Supporting Trailhead Education stations, chain-up stations and runaway ramps located additional maintenance work and safety may... People travel across the country to experience the landscape without putting yourself in the center of trucks. Use them road as treacherous as Red Mountain Pass on March 25, 2011 this road at night as... Across the country to experience the landscape without putting yourself in the or!
This month, USA Today named the Million Dollar Highway one of the Top Ten Bucket List Road Trips a compliment to the beauty of Red Mountain Pass and an underhanded homage to its deadly track record. If there is snow on the road, you should use chains on your wheels.

The drop is a sheer cliff in many parts. Red Mountain 4-13-13: 1: 4/13/13: Gemini, Stevens Pass Ski Area, WA: Two snowboarders caught, one partly buried. 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 Thursday morning.

Others say the name originated when locals proclaimed that they wouldnt drive the road even for a million dollars.

The vehicle was about 400 feet below the road, Ouray Mountain Rescue Team Capt.

Just kind of wallow through it. In 1979, highway authorities complained to the Herald that for locals, it is a favorite pastime to shoot up road signs, forcing the cash-strapped agency to replace bullet-riddled roadside warnings. Local News, DATE: Jan 3, 2023

Heres what you need to know if youre thinking of checking it out. Into the late 20th century, anti-avalanche strategies involved highway workers bombarding the snowpack above Red Mountain Pass with bullets, rockets and bombs. It is part of the Million Dollar Highway, a ride that people travel across the country to experience. CATEGORY: Gemini 4-13-13:

statewide road Check.

WebDriver plunges 750 feet off Red Mountain Pass, requires helicopter transport. Kunz got within about 75 feet of Villegas, deciding it wasnt safe to go any further Over the roar of the river, Villegas yelled that he was the only person in the car.

The Million Dollar Highway is just a small portion of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, itself a section of U.S. Highway 550, which runs 305 miles from Bernalillo, New Mexico, to Montrose, Colorado. If youre feeling super adventurous, try some ice climbing at Ourays Ice Park, which boasts more than 100 routes, all free to visitors. 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 light of day revealed what the dark of night had shrouded. You can still walk around them, but be sure to exercise caution. Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said the accident was reported around 2 p.m. Monday. If not for his keen eye, Villegas and his Chevy Lumina likely would have become another statistic, another recovery to add to Kleins memory bank.

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. We also recommend that you do not drive this road at night, as it is more dangerous. Runaway Ramp, MP 162.5 approximately 4.5 miles from the pass summit.

"And I yelled out, and then he ended up yelling back. He dialed his boss. Once the truck is stopped, call 911 to report the incident, even if there are no injuries associated with the episode. Always travel with chains to put on your tires, and know how to use them! To our readers: Red Mountain Pass falls between Ouray and Silverton.

If its clear, you should be able to see all three of the aptly named Red Mountains.

CATEGORY: Authorities investigate the scene where one person was killed in an accident on I-75 south near Edgewood Avenue. Last year, USA Today pronounced the Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray one of the Worlds 12 Most Dangerous Roads, a distinction Red Mountain Pass shares with the Highway of Death in Iraq and the Death Road in Bolivia. Having driven this route during dusk, another thing to be aware of is wildlife that darts across the road. See scheduled construction lane closures: Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media. 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. 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. to minimize impacts to the traveling public. Travelers should be aware that additional maintenance work and safety closures may be implemented on many southwest Colorado highways over the next few days.

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