Tag Archives: Montrose

Destination, iPhoneography, Photography, Travel

MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY – Ouray #Colorado

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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.

Uncompahgre River

Red Mountain No. 1, 2 & 3

Red Mountain

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

June 25, 2003 - Looking east...

Commodore Gulch

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

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Destination, iPhoneography, Photography, Travel

GUNNISON RIVER – Gunnison Gorge #Colorado

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GUNNISON RIVER

The Gunnison River is formed by the confluence of Taylor and East rivers at Almont in eastern Gunnison County.  It winds through desert canyonlands, where it receives Kannah Creek before it empties out of the Dominguez Canyon into the Colorado in Grand Junction.

The Gunnison River ranges in width from 100 to 1,000 feet and 3 to 50 feet in depth.  The river’s powerful current and many rapids make upstream travel nearly impossible.  It is navigable for small craft throughout its course and by larger boats below the Black Canyon.  Parts of the Black Canyon are non-navigable to any sorts of craft because of giant cataracts.  Navigation through the entire canyon is dangerous and for experienced boaters only.

Through the mid-1800s, the river held various names.  Names included: The Eagle, Eagle Tail, South Fork of the Grand, Grande, and Grand River. Exploration reports and published maps in the 1850s and 1860s most commonly referred to the river as the Grand River. In subsequent years, the river was renamed for U.S. Army Captain John W. Gunnison.  He was one of the Topographic Engineers who was ambushed and killed by Pahvant Utes while mapping a trail west in Utah Territory in 1853. ~wikipedia

The target was to view the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  We approached from the the north through Crawford on our way to Ouray.  There isn’t a “through-route” to speak of on the north side.  Just south of Crawford Reservoir, Black Canyon Road to the west that will get you to the North Rim area.  We continued on 92 heading south toward the river.  The views were spectacular.

Hermits Rest Picnic Area

Hermits Rest Picnic Area

Our first stop was at Hermits Rest Picnic Area.  From there you can see Morrow Point Reservoir.  There are restrooms here.  Here you will find Hermits Rest Trail down to the edge of the reservoir.  1800 feet down, then 1800 feet back up; approximately 6 miles round trip.  We continued on by car.

Pioneer Lookout Point

There are numerous areas along 92 to pull off.  There are only two areas with restrooms.  The second stop was Pioneer Lookout Point.  Here you can see Curecanti Needle, a 700-ft granite spire.

Curecanti Needle

There are several locations at this stop to take in the magnificent views.  Here you will find Curecanti Creek Trail that descends down to the river edge.  900 feet down, 900 feet up; approximately 4 miles round trip.

Highway 92 was an excellent way to see parts of the Gunnison River.  On a future return trip to the area I hope to visit the Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park in its entirety.  I would love to visit both the North Rim and South Rim.  The views (seen through Google images) of those two areas of the park look amazing.

Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park Map

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