Colorado - Million Dollar Highway

Today we said goodbye to Mesa Verde and continued our trek to our next National Park.

But first , we stopped in Durango to have breakfast with our niece Jane Parker. She is in her final year of school at Fort Lewis College. It was great catching up with her and seeing what a wonderful young woman she has become.

After breakfast, we headed north into the San Juan Mountains on 550 to Montrose. Halfway there, we came across the Million Dollar Highway. This is a 25 mile stretch of 550 between Silverton and Ouray. The mountain scenery is amazing and the road has some thrilling switchbacks (with no guardrails) with steep drop-offs.

Silverton Colorado

Silverton, Colorado is a historic mountain town in the San Juan Mountains, renowned for its mining heritage, spectacular scenery. We noticed that only the main road is paved, all side roads are gravel. We did not have time to stop and explore, but the drive through was entertaining.

We went through Red Mountain Pass as well. At 11,000 feet, it is the highest point of the Million Dollar Highway. The pass is famous for its iron-oxide red peaks and is considered one of the most nerve wracking roads in North America.

Red Mountain

Ouray Colorado

Ouray is a quaint mountain town know for its waterfalls and hot springs.