Thursday, June 19, 2014

Jun 19 - Million Dollar Highway

Today was a another driving day. We had a prefect clear sunny weather which I figured would be good for the long distance views.

We headed directly south on the scenic San Juan Skyway through the towns of Ouray and Silverton turning around at Durango. It is about 90 miles from the campground to Durango but it took us about about three hours to get there. We stopped a lot but the main reason is that you have to go up and over three 10,000+ foot passes. That means a lot of 25 mph section with switchbacks galore.

The section from Ouray to Silverton is called the Million Dollar Highway. I have heard many reasons for the name. It was expensive to build. There were a lot of very profitable mines in the area. The million dollar views. etc.

Unfortunately a lot of the picture didn’t work out today. The interesting parts, like the switchbacks, are very narrow with very few if any places to pull over. Consequently we relied on through the windshield pictures, most of which were ruined by reflections from the dashboard. We will be back over the section to Silverton so we will try and do better next time.

Heading through Ouray.

IMG_1020314

The switchbacks start right at the end of town. Here is a view back down.

p91

IMG_1020494

After climbing for a while we stopped at the viewpoint down to some falls that ran under the highway. This picture is from the way back when the sun was shining on it.

p9

And a rainbow.

IMG_3027

There was a viewing platform that hung out over the canyon.

IMG_3043

Jennie likes waterfalls so much that even she went out.

IMG_1020488

IMG_1020489

There was a ribbon waterfall on the other wall of the canyon. The moon is just over the top of the mountain. You can also see the platform at the right.

p1

We passed by one of the 4wd roads I had thought about trying.

IMG_1020348

IMG_1020349

It looked pretty rough. We may have to think about renting a Jeep for a day.

Heading up to 11,000 foot Red Mountain Pass.

IMG_2723

IMG_2773

Here is another of the side roads. It looks like it wiggles it way straight up that valley.

IMG_2783

IMG_2940

IMG_2962

IMG_2984

IMG_2994

We stopped at an overview of one of the old mines.

IMG_1020376

IMG_1020363

p8

A close up of the head frame at the center of the picture above.

IMG_1020367

IMG_2952

Then we headed down into the town of Silverton.

IMG_1020382

IMG_2805

IMG_2800

IMG_2798

As we headed south we got a better view back to Silverton.

IMG_1020385

There is a narrow gauge scenic railway that runs between Silverton and Durango along the bottom of a gorge. On the way home we saw it leaving town.

IMG_2899

We are debating about whether to take a ride. It is very slow and takes all day. The cheapest ticket is $85.

IMG_1020448

IMG_1020462

Notice the marmot (I think) surveying the scene from the rock in the lower left of the picture above.

IMG_1020463

We are now climbing up 10,800 foot Molas Pass. This is the viewpoint at the top.

IMG_1020391

IMG_1020392

p4

Down and then up 10,600 foot Coal Bank Pass.

IMG_1020380

IMG_1020407

Once we were heading down this third pass the drive to Durango was kind of wide open and flat. We went the rest of the way just to say we had. I also needed some gas and a DQ Blizzard and some BBQ for supper, it turns out.

IMG_2843

On the way into Durango we had seen a weird coloured mound beside the road. On the way back we stopped to investigate.

IMG_1020416

It is the output of a nearby hot spring. I think has been piped here to discharge near the highway as a tourist attraction.

IMG_1020415h

IMG_1020440

IMG_1020425h

IMG_1020421

IMG_2849

Heading back we got caught behind some very slow climbing logging trucks but each time we pulled off at a viewpoint so they weren’t a problem for long. Besides, who wants to drive fast with scenery like this.

IMG_2893

The guy in the white truck did. He would sit it on my bumper for a while, race past, then stop at a view point and repeat … Until he got caught in the line behind the big truck.

IMG_3011

We had a nice but brief sunset. The colour only lasted about 2 minutes.

IMG_1020498

IMG_1020499

1 comment:

  1. Love the picture of the train! Looks like an HO scale model train! Great sunset picture!!

    ReplyDelete