7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado’s Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can’t Miss
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Silverton - A Glimpse into Colorado's Mining Past
The "Million Dollar Highway," a scenic 25-mile stretch of US Highway 550, provides breathtaking mountain views and remnants of the area's gold and silver mining heritage.
Highlights along the route include Bear Creek Falls and panoramic vistas from high mountain passes.
Today, the highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the US, with its winding roads and steep drop-offs offering a thrilling experience for adventurous travelers.
The town of Silverton, Colorado, was founded in 1874 during the Colorado Silver Boom and quickly became a thriving mining community, with over 2,000 residents at its peak in the late 1800s.
The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been operating since 1882, transports passengers through the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, offering a glimpse into the region's rich mining heritage.
The Old Hundred Gold Mine in Silverton provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore a real gold mine, including the chance to pan for gold and learn about the arduous work of the miners.
The Ice Lakes Trail, a strenuous 8-mile hike near Silverton, takes adventurous trekkers through stunning alpine landscapes to the vibrant blue Ice Lake and Island Lake, offering a rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Silverton's annual Kendall Mountain Run, a challenging 12-mile race that climbs 3,600 feet in elevation, has been a beloved tradition since 1974, drawing runners from around the world to test their endurance in the breathtaking San Juan Mountains.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Silverton - A Glimpse into Colorado's Mining Past
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Ironton Park - A Scenic Valley Surrounded by Towering Peaks
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Uncompahgre Gorge - Navigating the Rugged Terrain
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Idarado Mine - Uncovering the Region's Rich Mining History
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Ouray - The "Switzerland of America" Offers Stunning Vistas
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Red Mountain Pass - A Breathtaking Scenic Overlook
- 7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Exploring the San Juan National Forest - Outdoor Adventures Abound
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Ironton Park - A Scenic Valley Surrounded by Towering Peaks
This scenic valley, surrounded by towering peaks, offers a glimpse into the region's rich history and the breathtaking natural beauty that continues to draw visitors from around the world.
The remnants of Ironton Park serve as a reminder of the enduring allure of this iconic Colorado drive, which promises awe-inspiring vistas and an unforgettable driving experience.
Ironton Park, located along the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, was a popular tourist destination in the late 19th century, offering visitors a chance to escape the heat and enjoy the scenic mountain environment.
The park's elevation of over 9,000 feet provided a cool respite from the summer heat, with visitors enjoying activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking amidst the towering peaks surrounding the valley.
Remnants of the historic Ironton Park can still be seen along the Million Dollar Highway today, serving as a testament to the region's rich history and the adventurous spirit of early Colorado travelers.
The geology of the Ironton Park area is particularly fascinating, with the surrounding peaks composed of ancient metamorphic and igneous rock formations that have been sculpted by glaciers over thousands of years.
The park's location in the San Juan Mountains, a subrange of the Rocky Mountains, means that it is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare alpine species adapted to the harsh high-altitude environment.
Despite its former popularity, Ironton Park was never accessible by rail, as the nearby Silverton branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad opted to bypass the valley, focusing instead on the mining towns of the region.
The dramatic landscapes and winding roads of the Million Dollar Highway, including the Ironton Park area, have made the route a popular destination for automotive enthusiasts, who come to test their skills on the challenging and ever-changing terrain.
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Uncompahgre Gorge - Navigating the Rugged Terrain
The Uncompahgre Gorge, part of the famed Million Dollar Highway in southwestern Colorado, showcases breathtaking natural scenery.
The 12-mile stretch through the gorge is known for its challenging terrain and potential danger, as the road twists and turns through the rugged landscape without guardrails.
Scenic stops along the way, such as Bear Creek Falls, offer panoramic views of the surrounding alpine meadows and forests.
The Million Dollar Highway earned its name due to the exorbitant $10,000 per mile cost to build it in the 1880s.
This section of the larger San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway provides an unforgettable driving experience through the rugged beauty of the Colorado mountains, with the charming town of Ouray offering a picturesque respite along the journey.
The Million Dollar Highway earned its name due to the staggering $10,000 per mile cost to construct this section of road in the 1880s, an exorbitant amount for the time.
The Uncompahgre Gorge was carved over thousands of years by the relentless flow of the Uncompahgre River, creating a dramatic, steep-sided chasm through the San Juan Mountains.
The highway's treacherous twists and turns through the gorge are due to the region's active geology, with the road carefully engineered to navigate the rugged, unstable terrain.
Drivers on the Million Dollar Highway are treated to stunning views of the vibrant red hues of nearby Red Mountain, a geological marvel formed by ancient volcanic activity.
Though the highway lacks guardrails for most of its length, advanced road construction techniques and strategic placement of retaining walls help provide stability and safety for travelers.
The Million Dollar Highway is part of the larger San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, a 236-mile loop that showcases some of Colorado's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Despite the challenges of navigating the Uncompahgre Gorge, the Million Dollar Highway remains a popular draw for adventure-seeking drivers and sightseers, who come to experience its dramatic scenery and engineering marvels.
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Idarado Mine - Uncovering the Region's Rich Mining History
The Idarado Mine, once the largest and most productive silver mine in North America, played a significant role in Colorado's rich mining history.
Located in the San Juan Mountains, the mine produced a variety of metals, including lead, silver, zinc, gold, and copper.
Today, visitors can learn about the mine's legacy at a pulloff along the scenic Million Dollar Highway, which traverses the San Juan National Forest and offers a range of outdoor recreational activities.
The Idarado Mine was once the largest and most productive silver mine in North America, producing lead, silver, zinc, gold, and copper.
The mine is part of the Sneffels-Red Mountain-Telluride mining district, a significant mining region in Colorado's San Juan Mountains.
The Idarado Mine was shut down in 1978, but reclamation efforts have been ongoing since then, making it an important site for environmental remediation.
The mine's history is featured at a pull-off along the Million Dollar Highway, where visitors can learn about the area's rich mining history.
The Million Dollar Highway, which passes through the San Juan National Forest, offers breathtaking views and various outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, hiking, biking, and fishing.
The highway's nickname, "Million Dollar Highway," is believed to have originated from the gold and silver tailings worth a million dollars that were used to build the road.
The road was constructed in the late 1800s to connect the lucrative gold and silver mines in the Red Mountain district to nearby towns.
The Idarado Mine played a significant role in the production of metals for WWII, making it an important site for historical significance.
The mine's remnants can still be seen along the Million Dollar Highway, offering a glimpse into Colorado's rich mining history.
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Ouray - The "Switzerland of America" Offers Stunning Vistas
Ouray, Colorado, situated at an elevation of 7,792 feet, is surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks in the San Juan mountain range, earning it the nickname "The Switzerland of America" due to its striking similarity to the Swiss Alps.
Ouray's historic downtown district is a well-preserved example of Victorian-era architecture, featuring locally-owned restaurants, boutiques, and galleries that provide a unique shopping and dining experience for visitors.
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool, a year-round attraction, features three water slides and natural mineral-rich waters, making it a popular destination for both relaxation and recreation.
The Perimeter Trail, a 6-mile hiking loop above the town, offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and canyons, providing an exhilarating outdoor adventure for hikers of all skill levels.
Ouray's location between the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde National Parks makes it an ideal stopover for travelers exploring the natural wonders of Colorado's western slope.
The town hosts one of the best 4th of July parades in the United States, drawing crowds from across the region to celebrate the holiday with traditional festivities and patriotic displays.
Ouray's rugged terrain and network of over 75 miles of dirt roads and trails have made it a hub for off-road enthusiasts, offering thrilling experiences for those with a taste for adventure.
The Ouray Ice Park, located within the town limits, is a unique, human-made ice climbing venue that attracts climbers from around the world during the winter months.
Visitors to Ouray can choose to fly into the nearby Montrose or Durango airports, both of which are within a reasonable driving distance of approximately 320 miles and a travel time of 6 hours.
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Red Mountain Pass - A Breathtaking Scenic Overlook
Originally hand-carved to transport ore, this high-altitude pass at 11,018 feet provides awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse natural scenery, from forests to towering rock formations.
Red Mountain Pass reaches an astonishing elevation of 11,018 feet, making it the highest point along the iconic Million Dollar Highway.
The road through the pass was originally hand-carved in the late 19th century to transport ore from the nearby town of Ouray, showcasing the incredible engineering feats of the era.
The vibrant red hues of the surrounding Red Mountain are caused by the high iron oxide content in the rock formations, creating a striking visual contrast against the snow-capped peaks.
Geologists estimate that the rocks along the pass are over 7 billion years old, predating even the formation of the Rocky Mountains.
The Million Dollar Highway, of which Red Mountain Pass is a part, covers a total distance of 236 miles, offering drivers an unforgettable journey through Southwest Colorado's stunning landscapes.
Due to the pass's high elevation and treacherous switchbacks, vehicles with low clearance or poor braking systems are not recommended, as the risk of accidents is significantly higher.
The area surrounding Red Mountain Pass is home to diverse ecosystems, including subalpine forests, alpine meadows, and rocky tundra, each supporting a unique array of flora and fauna.
Seismic activity in the region is relatively high, with the pass located near several fault lines that have the potential to cause minor earthquakes and rockslides.
The air pressure at the summit of Red Mountain Pass is approximately 30% lower than at sea level, making it challenging for some visitors to acclimate, especially those with respiratory conditions.
The road through the pass is known for its dramatic inclines and tight turns, with some sections boasting grades of up to 8%, requiring skilled and attentive driving.
Despite the risks, the panoramic views from Red Mountain Pass are widely regarded as some of the most breathtaking in Colorado, drawing thousands of adventurous travelers each year.
7 Breathtaking Stops Along Colorado's Infamous Million Dollar Highway You Can't Miss - Exploring the San Juan National Forest - Outdoor Adventures Abound
The San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from hiking through the Weminuche Wilderness to camping at scenic high-altitude lakes.
The San Juan National Forest is the second-largest national forest in Colorado, spanning over 8 million acres, which is roughly the size of the state of Delaware.
The forest is home to 13 of Colorado's 53 "fourteeners" (peaks above 14,000 feet), including the iconic Wetterhorn Peak, which boasts a summit elevation of 14,015 feet.
The Weminuche Wilderness, which lies within the San Juan National Forest, is the largest designated wilderness area in Colorado, covering over 488,000 acres.
The forest is home to the rare and endangered Canada lynx, which was reintroduced to the region in the late 1990s after being extirpated in the 1970s.
The San Juan National Forest is a popular destination for backcountry skiing, with the Dunton Hot Springs area offering some of the best powder runs in the region.
The forest's high-alpine meadows are home to a diverse array of wildflowers, including the vibrant blue columbine, Colorado's state flower.
The San Juan Mountains, which dominate the landscape of the national forest, were formed by volcanic activity over 30 million years ago, leaving behind a dramatic and rugged terrain.
The forest's Haviland Lake Campground is one of the few developed campsites in Colorado that allows visitors to bring their own horses, making it a popular destination for equestrian enthusiasts.
The San Juan National Forest is home to the historic mining town of Silverton, which played a crucial role in Colorado's 19th-century silver boom and now serves as a gateway to the region's outdoor adventures.
The forest's high-altitude environment has led to the evolution of several unique plant species, including the San Juan bluegrass, found only in the San Juan Mountains.