Taking a Semi-Truck on the Million Dollar Highway.. Red Mountain Pass Highway 550!!

Films August 18th 2019

[@charlesc.parker1164]

I'm glad you're driving. I'm too old and sick to ever be able to make a trip like this but thanks to you I feel like I'm being blessed to see all the places you go.You've got a great job. Please be safe. I pray for you daily. Thanks again , Craig in Alabama.

[@dimitriosfromgreece4227]

LOVE FROM SWEDEN ❤❤❤

[@ksanurse]

Charles C. Parker Me too mate this trucker takes me to places I could only dream of from a wheely chair in Oz. Keep as well as you can and know your not alone. X

[@Mark-Dibble]

@@ksanurse check out wilderness on wheels. A have a few locations in Colorado that provide a great outdoor mountain adventure to those in wheel chairs. Colorado definitely has something for everyone to enjoy.

[@thesuncollective1475]

I drove it by accident last week ..picturesque but terrifying!

[@leighnightingale944]

The BEST edge of my seat shotgun ride EVER! Thought I'd get motion sickness! Had to take a few breaks to get through the ride. Thank you so much! Watched it twice.

[@ricka.2148]

Probably the most beautiful drives in the west. Love the little town of Ouray!

[@davidfromcolorado5295]

They are

[@brandonthornborough4433]

I lived in Colorado springs for 5 yrs and I've heard locals pronouncing it you-ray.

[@jeffd1919]

Yes, you can always tell who is not local by the way they say it. Born & raised in Montrose. It's pronounced u-ray. After Ute Chief Ouray.

[@Bigbro28]

Geez, you’re one hell of a trucker. After that trip, I have complete faith in you. 🐨🇦🇺

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Thank you Martin.. was a beautiful trip.. ☮️

[@ronshupe9905]

You are the kind of driver that America needs more of. Beautiful scenery. 6 over Loveland pass and 7 going south out of Russellville were 2 of my favorite highways to drive, I used to pull a food grade tanker

[@christar9527]

I used to be a courageous driver but you have some balls. That’s one drive I’m not sure I would tackle. Great ride! Thank you!👍🏻

[@GeneWinter-jh9on]

I was on it last week. I've got 38yrs driving over 5 million miles, and I was praying to God going southbound.

[@rivallin12]

Iv'e skydived, bungee jumped, worked at heights, cliff dived, and stood on one of the highest bolders (Kjeragbolten; Norway) in the world, wedged between two cliffs at 3,228 ft above water, but watching this drive really made my heart pump! Imagine the fear of having to sneeze on one of those hairpin drop offs while driving that bad boy!!

[@Ary769]

I retired after driving 32yrs and been retired 10yrs and have never seen anything like Red Mountain pass, thank you so much Riding Shotgun for the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Love all your videos and this is my favorite.

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Your welcome Stephen.. thanks for watching ☮️

[@craigparker3434]

Thanks Mike. What a beautiful ride. I'm glad you were driving. Peace !!!

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Right on Craig .. thanks for watching ☮️

[@michaelrobinson9639]

I'll be watching this video again and again. This is the most beautiful yet dangerous run I've seen.Only with your strong heart and serious driving skills could this trip be made with a heavily loaded semi! I couldn't imagine the average trucker successfully making this trip. My heart was in my throat at every one of those sharp curves and drop off points and I'm just watching! Thank you for this wonderful experience!

[@silviupoenar7143]

Oh yeah brings back memories when I drove the greyhound back in the days now I drive semis like you. I was with my rig last on same road about February time. Nice view. Thanks for the reminder from one trucker to another brother drive safe as you always do. God bless you.

[@tundramanq]

I took this route one year while returning to Albuquerque from camping/fishing around Monarch pass with a boat in tow. Gorgeous even while having to watch the road. Became my favorite scenic return home Worth the extra travel time even loaded. I recall the pucker factor that first time with my 84 Mazda B2000 truck that was a lot narrower but with about the same power to weight ratio as yours. Thanks for the memories Mike. Noticing things I missed while driving.

[@saltydog3714]

Use to run Red Mountain and Lizard Head back in the seventies and eighties in a tractor trailer. There were some real white knuckle moments. There are curves that even back then with a 40 foot and later a 42 foot trailer, it was impossible to keep the trailer tandems from crossing the centerline into the oncoming lane. Definitely not the run for the faint hearted truck driver. Great video Mike! Thanks, Doug.

[@jcee2259]

Had a sibling that first drove animal feed to CO and livestock back to NM. He delivered an old cowboy mare to me after I got my first Mexican-made saddle. It was a bad day when my first school bus driver refused to load my my gift horse. Sad as a cowboy can be in first grade with no horse outside,

[@cyrilaspinall8152]

That was awesome, the views of those mountains even the sound of the engine was music to my ears. We dont have anything like it here in the UK.

[@daveivey895]

Awesome trip on the 550...Thanx for letting me ride along..Stay safe brother!

[@1fastmr]

Most of those drivers coming in the opposite direction were pretty savvy about giving you extra space in their lane just in case.I'm pretty sure they were not from South Florida. Thanks for the ride. Be safe.

[@joycelebaron2582]

Ok, came down to the comments wondering if anybody else noticed that. Good on the drivers who moved over closer to the mountain to let you have more room.

[@toniallen8617]

One of my favorite highways. Over to Silverton, then to Durango. You are bring back my childhood. Thank you, thank you.

[@Darkwingdave5]

Was going to Montrose for a business trip and when I told the people where I started that they replied, Oh! You're taking the most dangerous road in the country. Say what? They explained in detail. And after getting through it and breaking the vacuum on the car seat so I could get out and told my wife after she asked what took so long..this video really helped. Thanks for all you do.

[@luvs2ride4ever]

Brought back lots of nice memories. My g/f {r.i.p.) and i took a motorcycle trip from Louisiana to colorado springs in 2003 we rode the 550 south all the way from Gunnison to Durango. i loved it (scared the hell out of me but still loved it and wish we could again. thanks for the fond memories.

[@MegaSnow121]

Wow!i held my breath a few times. Beautiful drive. Scary at times, though. I like that you are so considerate of the people behind you. Be safe!

[@marypatten4853]

Wow! So beautiful. Thanks for the ride.

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Right on Mary.. thx..

[@jamiehoward3151]

Here in the south, in Georgia, we are very use to those 90° temps, hell, that's spring time for us! I love it! What a beautiful drive!

[@capitaobravo805]

The landscape along this road is wonderful!

[@romelleyoung706]

Romelle F Young Thanks for making my Mother's Day on May 9, 2021. You brought back memories when I was driving north. I had my mother screaming at me from the back seat. My husband was saying prayers.

[@flynnjp19]

Thanks for making this video, people who drive big trucks for a living are probably the best drivers on the road, and some of the nicest people you will meet...Please be courteous to them!

[@weremodel]

What a great video. I am sitting here is the warmth of my office, contemplating this holiday season of remodeling for clients and long, right now, to be riding shotgun. Thank you.

[@garymaris9471]

Thank you, great drive, great scenery, eye candy!

[@veeates]

Stallone drove through that town in the beginning of the 80's move "Over the Top". Looks the same! Love your travels man!!

[@sheilakay3876]

Thank you for letting me see this. God bless you. Stay safe. Praying for you!

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

Beautiful drive! You are insane to go over it in a semi. 😀 We drove on a road similar to this back in 1978 during a cross-country vacation. It is the most frightening ride I’ve ever been on - and we were in a Ford Torino! Unfortunately, it was around midnight with a full moon. We couldn’t see much of the landscape around us, but the moon shined a spotlight on the chasm below us. I’d love to do this drive during the day in a subcompact car! Thanks!!

[@brandonthornborough4433]

This is one of the better trucking videos I've seen in a while. Thanks for posting.

[@RZ-bw9vf]

I am planning my vacation in 2023. Looking at this video, I wonder if at the age of 74, can I still dream of driving from Ouray to Silverton and happily returning home to Illinois. Thank you for this wonderful experience.

[@kathynewhart6738]

Beautiful scenery thx Mike for taking us along :-))))

[@kennethfuller8347]

Incredible drive, sir. My dad told me about this route .. he did it both directions in his motor home, so I came to KZbin to find out about it. Thanks for the ride along.

[@suetilton8456]

Taking the trip with you...thank you its been beautiful . I can say now I rode the million dollar mountain with a trucker..

[@lesd9783]

Well Michael, thanks for the ride along and hope all those 4 wheelers knew that you was driving a touring semi tractor/trailer.. LOL I will have to admit, I have never been on US 550 and Red Mountain Pass Highway, so thanks a bunch for the touring ride and I'm adding this highway on my bucket list to drive, but only in my van or car. Be safe and happy trucking trails!

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Right on Les.. the next two videos are the finish of that trip. But definitely make it up there if you can.. definitely will not be disappointed ☮️

[@glennsvoboda6602]

Thanks for the beautiful tour. It was a real nail biting drive and i was sitting in my recliner!

[@jacquelinebaxter6420]

Absolutely breathtaking! Gorgeous Thank you Mike!

[@dennisn1672]

Been on every hwy in every state. 40 yrs trucking. See the country at 65mph these days. Use to be 55mph. Love Wyoming Colorado. And Montana. Sometimes i just wanted to park the truck and stay forever.

[@angoor101]

America is beautiful. I crossed over the continental divide in Colorado a few years ago with John Denver’s Rocky Mountain high on the CD player. Thanks for taking us along for a ride.

[@montizzlefoshizzle7131]

I just went through there at night in a little snow, I'll never do that again this time of year and never again at night any time of the year...

[@BamaBrat]

😱 glad you made it through there.

[@montizzlefoshizzle7131]

@@BamaBrat ... I kept my word so far😅

[@timothygeiger8271]

I've never been over Red Mountain Pass, i have driven over Monarch Pass & Wolfe Creek Pass in a truck. I heard some locals say years ago about a truck that went over the side. Apparently the driver survived the initial crash over the edge, but went into shock while sitting in the state troopers patrol vehicle & died of a heart attack while in the troopers cruiser. That is one mountain pass i will NOT drive over!

[@montizzlefoshizzle7131]

@@timothygeiger8271 Monarch can be just as dangerous as Red Mountain the only difference is the speed and height

[@timothygeiger8271]

@@montizzlefoshizzle7131 I'm very well aware of what Monarch can be like. I did say I've been on it. I've driven on Monarch in a snowstorm, when you couldn't see 50 feet in front of the truck! I also know that Wolfe Creek Pass has claimed it's share of truck drivers lives, even after they rebuilt it several years ago. A local rancher from Gunnison said the same about Monarch.

[@uptown3636]

Thanks for bringing us along for the ride! My palms are sweaty just from watching.

[@winegeek2949]

miles of beauty... inches from disaster

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Nicely put.. thx for watching ☮️

[@sc4456]

This is the best driving video I ever have seen ... So beautiful !!!

[@boobtubeakatv1296]

@Ivanhoe ॐ Highway Barriers would just block the views from 4 wheelers perspectives 🥸

[@stevenbryant3055]

@@boobtubeakatv1296 and would rip the whole road off the mountain if an avalanche hit it, those guard rails are sunk 4-8 feet into the ground, an avalanche would rip the rails right out taking the support for the highway with it destroying the “oldest road in America” (the trail it was built on has been there since before the beginning of recorded history and will hopefully be there way longer)

[@elaineeverhart3910]

Oh thank you for taking us along! So beautiful!

[@DerelictDoug]

I just love your channel and seeing what you see inside the semi. Thanks for sharing and all the best!

[@rogerhislip5269]

Driven this a few times. Beautiful! Thanks for the memories

[@mariedavis5116]

Very beautiful scenery in this video, love it. Thanks😉

[@brendabainbridge9539]

I can't even.... absolutely breathtaking :) thank you

[@perrywannamaker1969]

thank you Mike interesting scenery and comentary

[@certoglenn4840]

Beautiful day; beautiful views, terrific ride. Thank you.

[@sandyhyatt8463]

Thank U for the Beautiful Trip!! Stay Safe & Blessings to U Always

[@towgod7985]

Great video, thanks much from Toronto, Canada!!

[@maxinerose2096]

Thanks for the wonderful video. I live all the scenery. I doubt I ever get there in person. It is beautiful. Thanks again.

[@charlenenewby2131]

The big rig dash cam is way better than the auto. You can see so much of the scenery. Thanks for turning the cam to the points of interest. Enjoyed the continuous narration. I went south on this road about 35 years ago in a VW Beetle. It was definitely a white knuckle experience.

[@retiredandpreppingquilting2350]

Beautiful drive. Thank you for taking us along. I am getting scared just riding the mountain. LOL

[@fredbush3404]

I took this as a rookie in 1994, scared me to death. By the time I got to Silverado I was spent. Fortunately it was not busy had a lot of room.

[@chrisedwards4735]

Thanks for sharing - stunning scenery and a beautiful pass

[@ridingshotgun1251]

You're absolutely welcome Chris I love this pass.. ☮️

[@michellewal8219]

Thanks for pulling over to let the cars pass, sign of a courteous and mindful truck driver.

[@momtoone93]

Native Coloradoan and I don't want to nitpick but it's pronounced Youray not Ooray. Ouray is also known as the Switzerland of America. Thanks for the ride one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado!

[@frankcassidy7673]

Thanks for the ride, some very scenic views. Back in the 1980's as a ham radio operator i used to contact many hams operating mobile putting out USA counties, of course being in England I never knew what beautiful places they were driving through, we didn't have you-tube in those days so it's nice to see such places. I've just subscribed so I can go and search out your other videos. Drive safely .....

[@cliffordsbee]

Awesome scenery, Thanks for the ride a long.

[@CosmicStargoat]

I love this video. I remember the first time I went through Ouray and hit those switchbacks, it blew my mind. It's a great trip if you can make it to Durango. They have a free Railroad Museum, and then of course, there is the day trip on the narrow-gauge to Silverton. I've been there a couple of times and really have enjoyed it. I'm glad I moved to Colorado, you can never run out of things to see.

[@tomgates316]

Green Mountain Falls outside of Colorado Springs was a favorite family vacation area for us Midwest flat landers. That was before they put the freeway thru. Made the trip to Durango. Seemed every time we cleared one mountain range there was another ahead to cross. Finally got to Durango and took the train to Silverton and back. About a year later, Butch and Sundance came out and we immediately noted the train. Saw a recent KZbin video of that train ride. Seems like there are homes along the rail 60% of the way out of Durango. At the time we went, crossed a Hwy a mile or so from the station and out into grass land until into the climb. What a different experience today. :-/ Thing I loved about mountain driving was the visual effects while driving. You thought you were driving on level or slightly descending Hwy. then look at rear or side view mirrors and realized you’re driving up quite a steep slope. Last did the MDH with family in ‘66 Impala hard top. Fully loaded with 3 weeks of camping gear and clothing. Dad would see the Speed Limit signs and claimed them as just wishful thinking. LOL Thanks for a great memory ride. Cut my mountain travels. Too many times I’ve seen what the rains have done to those roads compared to what they looked like 50 years ago. Did a pair of Yosemite trips 2 years apart back in ‘03. Second trip was eye opening as to the amount of road decay in the mountains. :-(

[@neeterb5584]

Thank you for this video. We are so lucky to live in this gorgeous state. I've not been over 550 since 1976 and am not sure I'm brave enough to drive it now.

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Your welcome Waneta.. you can handle it... It's not as bad as it looks.. thx for watching ☮️

[@oneworld2642]

picturesque trip with view of mountains , amazing , thank you shotgun .... peace !!!

[@johnmark7361]

Wow. I love this drive. Hopefully 🙏🏽 this will be my next road trip. Thanks for the video.

[@glennmorrell4907]

Hey MM Mike I look forward to your videos and can’t believe I missed this one…lots of thrills and chills PLUS awe-inspiring Colorado as a backdrop! If I drove this I’d be freakin’ cuz there’s no guardrail. Keep on truck in’ …peace!

[@Mrgop]

I went over this in the early 70s. It was the most terrifying drive of my life. I would never do it again! I read it is the second most dangerous drive in the US. I enjoyed your video and adnire your skill and courage!

[@caroldaugherty5376]

I really like ur videos, and the way u explain stuff. Lile about the trk, ur tandems and all. Great info. Thanks.

[@scottmitcheltree4182]

My Marine Brother lives in Durango. He sent me vids off him driving this. I would have torn it up on my M/C until about 10 year years ago. Now the switched has flipped and even a 20 foot drop is a challenge. Love this video. I would have curled up in the fetal position.

[@rhondaharrison2764]

OMG. I had to stop watching for awhile. Felt like we were going off the side of the Mtn. holy s(*(&......It is so beautiful though. Thanks for the ride.

[@yougetagoldstar]

Just so you know, you dont have to say "OMG" and misuse the word "holy". You could have written that as "I had to stop watching for a while. Felt like we were foing off the side of the Mtn. It is so beautiful though. Thanks for the ride." You convey the same message without the profanities. If you want you can also start that with a non offensive exclamation "wow" or.end the sentence with an exclamation mark. "Felt like we were going off the side of the mountain!"

[@ronahue1946]

Thanks again for a chance to experience a fair weather trip through the hills!

[@geezer652]

Feb 2022 - Brought back memories of 1985, south bound in a loaded short hood Pete pulling a 45ft pneumatic with NO sliders. If you had been up there in '85 you'd know why they built those slide sheds. I saw a couple of places I thought I remembered, but it's been a few moons since. Good video and thanks for the memories

[@dewaynemiguel3349]

Great video brought back memories its ashame this country has changed so much in the 70s you almost never saw cars on alot of those roads

[@GrandmaBugsPlace]

Oh wow. I have been on that pass and it is a beautiful drive and yes you simply must be paying attention! You did a good job there but still scary!! My DH drove semi trucks for his company and mostly in town (Denver) and had drivers for over the road. I road with him on a few deliveries into the mountains and it is a different view for sure! Thanks for the safe drive and sharing with us.

[@richardcrouse4644]

I've enjoyed that same drive, but no more! Thanks for the ride!!!

[@MessOfThings]

When I was brand new as a solo driver I took that road from Durango to Gypsum. I guess it makes a difference that I was empty and the weather was perfect. Three in each mirror, that's six. Thanks for the ride.

[@karencahill4798]

Stumbled upon this. Gotta say that was a beautiful, thrilling, and horrifying experience. I enjoyed it immensely. I might add that you are quite courteous and well spoken. Not to mention an excellent driver. Bravo!

[@BamaBrat]

My boyfriend just went through there yesterday with a 53' trailer. I was home praying! Thankfully he made it through safely!

[@jamiefenner9443]

A GREAT series of videos, interesting narration, thanks! We hope to drive this in 2023 - only in a car

[@phillipchapman9316]

Beautiful country. Great driving. Love your videos. 👍

[@cathy9160]

Just beautiful country what a pleasure driving along with you .I was having a great time sitting in the passengers seat beside you and you couldn't see me lol fantastic ride coming from a Canadian.

[@katsesfotis6368]

Really beautiful ride. Thanks for sharing!

[@lindaburdine3176]

I am hanging on to my chair on this trip! Beautiful!!! Thanks!

[@David-ei1fs]

My best friend and I drove Red Mountain Pass northbound from Durango in August 1994. Ill never forget it. Harrowing but magnificent!!!

[@missysten8641]

I love that you give us all a view of the Western states. It is so beautiful and this is the only opportunity for us to see it.

[@KALINDIAN23]

Thanks for the video. Very beautiful mountains. I have been to Colorado twice but never been to Ouray. Maybe next time. I am afraid of heights. I definitely can't drive on those roads without a railing. But I still love Colorado and Mountains.

[@draysfordayz2743]

Trust me I had to tlk myself up and down a few of those mountains as well, especially when I was driving for CR England.....big up's to you driver 🤟🏾

[@karenecurran7895]

Beautiful drive. Scenic. Interesting information. TY

[@Kevinwayne199]

Thats just gorgeous. Im gonna get there one day before i pass.

[@kfirish44]

Oh my god, my stomach is up in my throat! It’s beautiful though. Thanks for sharing.

[@bertmullins3078]

I've watched quite a few of your videos and I believe this is the best one yet. It is a beautiful drive through the mountains and glad I was along.

[@brandonwalker8255]

Drove tht highway in the early 80’s the roads look a lot safer with lots of improvements then it did back then ..great driving !!

[@georgelamont9542]

Mike that was a fantastic run, that would be the most beautiful scenery ever thanks. keep safe ,and god bless.George ! ( in Western Australia )

[@yvonnewilliams8800]

Beautiful scenery. Excellent driving!

[@virginiavieu3383]

Magnificent RIDE. Thanks so much .

[@ridingshotgun1251]

Anytime Virginia.. thx for watching ☮️

[@louisferry8154]

Boston boy. Took this ride in my rented sedan on a sunny summer day during my only ever trip to Colorado. Unforgettable. When a wild hailstorm broke out as we approached the top we luckily found a pullover spot and waited it out about 15 minutes. Never again !!

[@HeadWestOn90]

Just discovered your channel and peeked at a few of your vids.. this one earned my subscription! I'm partial to Colorado, so thanks for the beautiful ride!

[@PeteR-ed9nd]

Driven it in car and on motorcycle I have followed many truckers on twisty mountain roads, and have great respect cause I know they have their hands full. Good job.

[@happyhighway106]

#483 Hello, Mountain Mike. I drove that road when I was a teenager back in 1963. I had white knuckles in a 1961 Rambler Classic Station Wagon. I have never been back since. Thanks for your professional driver experience. I also drove to the top of Pikes Peak, gravel road, no trees, no guard rails, 14,110 feet. I will not do that again, either.