MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY

Most of U.S. 550 in Colorado is two-lane mountainous highway.  It is one of only two north–south U.S. Highways in Colorado which runs west of the Continental Divide.  The section from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.  -wikipedia

Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name.  This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive.  It is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails.  The ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains.  Large RVs travel in both directions, which adds a degree of excitement (or danger) to people in cars.  The road is open year-round. -wikipedia

The Million Dollar Highway is a thrill to travel.  The sweeping views and abrupt drop-offs are spectacular.  If you are afraid of heights, you should avoid this route or take a nap.  There are not many places to pull off and capture the beauty this route beholds.  We did manage to find a few spots.

Uncompahgre River

The Uncompahgre River is a tributary of the Gunnison River, approximately 75 mi long, in southwestern Colorado in the United States.  Lake Como at 12,215 ft in northern San Juan County, in the Uncompahgre National Forest in the northwestern San Juan Mountains is the headwaters of the river.  It flows northwest past Ouray, Ridgway, Montrose, and Olathe and joins the Gunnison at Confluence Park in Delta.  ~wikipedia

It had rained a fair bit the day before we traveled the Million Dollar Highway.  The runoff turned the river reddish-brown.

Red Mountain No. 1, 2 & 3

The San Juan Mountains are undoubtedly the most colorful mountains in Colorado.  Mineral deposits have created slopes that are red, orange, yellow, purple, silver, brown or black. These colors combine with the blue skies, white snow and the various shades of green that grow on the mountains to produce a dazzling kaleidoscope.  Red seems to be a recurring theme.  At least three such mountains aggregate near the “Red Mountain Pass” (11018 ft) on U.S. Route 550 that connects the towns of Montrose and Durango via Ouray and Silverton. The three mountains, unceremoniously named are Red Mountain #1 (12592 ft), Red Mountain #2 (12219 ft) and Red Mountain #3 (12890 ft) all of which are visible from the road (north of the pass). ~www.summitpost.org

Commodore Gulch

Right along side the road in Commodore Gulch lives this beautiful unnamed little mountain stream.

EXTRA