07-19-2021, 03:54 PM
The Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile stretch of US 550 between Ouray and Silverton via 11,018’ Red Mountain Pass. Folks mistakenly think it also includes the 48-mile stretch of US 550 from Silverton to Durango, but that’s incorrect.
Anyway, yes, the photo was taken about 15 minutes from the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway (Ouray is about ten minutes from Ridgway). The MDH is a neat road with an interesting history but I don’t think it’s the highlight in this area. For that, I’d recommend:
- The western leg of the San Juan Skyway, which is CO 145 from Telluride to Dolores via 10,246’ Lizard Head Pass
- The Silver Thread Scenic Byway, which is CO 149 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to South Fork via 11,529’ Slumgullion Pass
- The leg of the West Elk Loop which takes you on CO 92 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to Crawford, overlooking the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the leg which takes you on CO 133 from Paonia to Redstone via 8,793’ McClure Pass.
They’re all great twisty roads with tight hairpins, fast sweepers, stunning scenery and zero tourist traffic.
And if your bike is off-road capable, there are some incredible high passes in the San Juans which require an ADV or high clearance 4WD.
Anyway, yes, the photo was taken about 15 minutes from the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway (Ouray is about ten minutes from Ridgway). The MDH is a neat road with an interesting history but I don’t think it’s the highlight in this area. For that, I’d recommend:
- The western leg of the San Juan Skyway, which is CO 145 from Telluride to Dolores via 10,246’ Lizard Head Pass
- The Silver Thread Scenic Byway, which is CO 149 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to South Fork via 11,529’ Slumgullion Pass
- The leg of the West Elk Loop which takes you on CO 92 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to Crawford, overlooking the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the leg which takes you on CO 133 from Paonia to Redstone via 8,793’ McClure Pass.
They’re all great twisty roads with tight hairpins, fast sweepers, stunning scenery and zero tourist traffic.
And if your bike is off-road capable, there are some incredible high passes in the San Juans which require an ADV or high clearance 4WD.