US 550, during a snowstorm

SO, I do a run every two weeks, part of it takes me on US 550 over Coal Bank, Molass and Red Mtn. Passes. Been doing this run for the last year. Few weeks back, someone posted about surviving 550 SB from Ouray to Durango, during the day on dry roads. As was pointed out, now do it at night, in a snowstorm with chains on. Well, I got 3/4 of it. Snowstorm (finally tally was 24" above 13,000 ft., with 6 to 8 in Durango, 8 to 10 in Silverton, and 1 to 3 in Ouray), chains, near white out at times, only had 8K in the wagon. 4 single chains on the tractor and a drag chain on the trailer. Here's a few pic's to help the rookies out, and before anyone says a word, I was going so slow, under 15 mph with no traffic, that I stopped before taking each pic.:

 

that is US 550 between Durango and Ouray Colorado, SW part of the state.

Yep, definetly had some sliding of the trailer, hence the need for a drag chain. Had all 4 outer drives chained. Had a couple of 4 wheelers and a straight truck that I encountered who were not happy with it. Met up with one other semi heading same direction, he was scared witless and was creeping along at 10 mph or less. At times I would get up to 30 mph before slowing for curves. Typical drive from Durango to Montrose is a hair under 3 hrs, this time took me 3.5 hrs.

 

Drag chain(s) = chains applied to trailer tires to aid in braking on snowy/icey surfaces, to prevent trailer tires from breaking loose and causing the trailer to slide.