Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway
~285 miles
[click map for larger view]
If there is one ride that you MUSTmake
while in Montrose it is the Million Dollar Highway, and to make it even better,
do the entire San Juan Loop. This Loop is
one of Colorado’s Scenic Byways and includes the Million-Dollar Highway from
Ouray to Silverton to Durango. The loop passes over several high passes in
the San Juan Mountains and gets its nickname from the value of the ore found in
the dirt removed from the mountainside to make way for the road. This route is
included in many books and magazines describing the best scenic roads in
America. You'll visit the historic mining towns of Ouray (Little
Switzerland of the Rockies) and Silverton (northern terminus of the
Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad) via Red Mountain Pass. From
Silverton you'll head further south over the Molas and Coal Bank Passes,
dropping into the Animas River valley leading into Durango (southern terminus of
the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad). The southeastern portion of
the Million-Dollar Highway is considered by some to be even more beautiful than
the Red Mountain side due to its spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains to
the east. From Durango you'll head west to Mancos and Dolores, then north
through lots of twisties over Lizard Head Pass to the Telluride. This growing
Victorian town has been described by some as the 'most beautiful spot in
Colorado'. You'll then head west out of Telluride to Placerville where
you'll head northeast over Dallas Divide to highway 550 and then back to
Montrose. Be sure and stop at the pull-off at Dallas Divide to take in the
view of Mt. Sneffels and the San Juans. It will be a long day but you'll
experience some of the best riding Colorado has to offer.
There are lots of options for this loop.
You can do the whole thing, or you can just do a trip to Silverton, Durango, or
Telluride for lunch and then return back to Montrose (riding this route in the
opposite direction provides an entirely different experience).
GPS Data Files:
[NOTE: After downloading these
files to your computer, you need to re-calculate the route in MapSource or your
software before transferring them to your GPS.]
Montrose US-550 south through Ridgeway
(watch for deer) to Ouray (an
awesome setting, surrounded by mountains on almost four sides). ~37 miles
From Ouray continue on US-550 (Million
Dollar Highway). Lots of twisties, awesome canyons and drop-offs, and
fantastic scenery as you climb to the top of Red Mountain Pass. As you
drop south the other side towards Silverton you will experience magnificent
views of the San Juan Mountains. Take it easy and enjoy the views!
~23 awesome miles
The Handlebars Saloon in the old mining
town of Silverton is a great
place to eat -- unique old-west setting. The first train from Durango
arrives around 11:15am, so if you are visiting Silverton for the day you might
want to stop in for lunch just before the train arrives. Also, take the
side street to the railroad terminus to take a look at the old steam train
(pretty awesome).
From Silverton continue south on US-550
over Molas and Coal Bank Passes (awesome views of the San Juan Mountains),
dropping down past the Purgatory (Durango Mountain) Ski Area then through the
Animas River Valley to Durango. ~48 miles
Durango
is a really neat little town and home of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge
Railroad; Main Street (just off US-550) has some really nice shops and
restaurants). If you are doing the whole loop you should probably do lunch in
Durango.
On the southern end of Durango take US-160
west, riding big sweepers with nice views to Mancos. ~28 miles
In Mancos CO-184 north/west through ranch
country with lots of sweepers to CO-145 (near Delores). ~18 miles
North/right on CO-145 to Delores and then
miles of awesome twisties (a few sweepers) to Rico, Lizard Head Pass (good for a
photo stop), past Trout Lake (magnificent views of the lake and mountains
surrounding it, also a good photo stop) and on to the turn-off (right turn) to
Telluride. ~75 miles
Telluride
provides an awesome setting for the old mining town and now a major Colorado Ski
Area. Sitting in a box canyon, Telluride is surrounded on three sides by
mountains rising thousands of feet above the town. Nice shopping and
restaurants also. Ride through the town and up to the bottom of the
mountains and where the paved road ends and you get great views of several
waterfalls (awesome 4-wheel drive roads over several passes begin).
After visiting Telluride ride back out of
town the way you entered and back on CO-145 north, riding above and then along
the San Miguel River, to Placerville. ~16 miles
CO-62 east with great sweepers to the top
of Dallas Divide (stop at the pull-off on the right just past the top of the
divide; awesome views of the San Juan Mountains and Mt. Sneffels), with the
sweepers (watch for deer) continuing as you drop down to Ridgeway (True Grit
Restaurant is highly-recommended). ~24 miles
Ridgeway US-550 north to Montrose (watch
for deer). ~28 miles
