Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Driving Narrow, Winding, Beautiful Million Dollar Highway

We drove over the Million Dollar Highway in western Colorado twice in the past week, once to visit Silverton from Ouray and then, with the trailer, moving from Ouray to Bayfield. 

Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway?   I thought it was because that is how much it cost to build. Google tells me it is because of the views.  And they are impressive.

Much of the highway is narrow with lots of curves and no shoulder or guardrail.  It is certainly not for the faint-of-heart and must be really difficult for the many Texans who come to Colorado in the summer.


Last winter brought lots of snow and there were numerous avalanches along the highway.  Here we could see the trees knocked down and the dirt left from the snow that came down the mountain.



This view from our GPS shows us what the road ahead looks like.


The hillsides are often very green.


This is a view of part of the San Juan Mountains.


This area of Colorado saw lots of silver mining in the 1800s.  There is still some evidence of the mining buildings.


As if the GPS view wasn't bad enough, look at this sign--a 10 mph curve.  And obeying the speed limit is a very good idea.


Another spectacular view.


More evidence of avalanches.


Beautiful red mountain.


We both grew up in Colorado and were often in the mountains.  Since we no longer live here, it is sos good to spend a lot of time enjoying those mountains during this summer's travels.

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