Day 5 – The Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway

The tablet is back up and running! Stellar day! Absolutely stunning and a little terrifying too. Ran Hwy 550 from Montrose to Durango this morning. And returned in the afternoon on the San Juan Skyway.

Highway 550 between Ouray and Durango is often referred to as The Million Dollar Highway. The true Million Dollar Highway is actually the 25 mile stretch that travels between the small towns of Silverton and Ouray in Southwest Colorado. The highest point is 11,018 feet at the peak of Red Mountain Pass, in the San Juan Mountain Range. The Million Dollar Highway was originally constructed as a toll road by Otto Mears, who oversaw the building of many narrow gauge railroads, in the 1880s. Then, in the 1920s, the road underwent construction again, paving the path to the road as it is today.

I would highly recommend this road if you enjoy scenic drives. If heights bother you, they say to travel the Million south to north, but honestly, not sure it makes much of a difference either direction. They have improved the road over the years and the speed limit has dropped on the worst sections, so it really isn’t bad. And now on to the San Juan….

Today, as the last couple, has been “sensory overload”! Only got sprinkled on a little for a change though. Tomorrow should be an easy day and hope to see a little of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison despite the national park closure due to the wildfire.