This drive was a hoot back in the day.Its a 1,000' drop.Used to weave my little truck through the debris in the tunnel then cross a pair of trestles at the top.The upper part has been closed to cars for awhile.
Been there. I think around 1968 or 9.
Million Dollar Highway
- Thread starter ancient-one
- Start date
Been there. I think around 1968 or 9.
ParadiseRoad
Member
...I do remember they tried a "fix" and it didn't work out...
Sistema1927
US Veteran
Back when the kids were younger we were camping in the Durango area. We wanted to ride the Durango-Silverton, but we had our dog with us. Solution? Buy two tickets for the four of us. Wife and daughter rode the train while the son and myself, with dog, drove to Silverton. At Silverton we swapped places, and wife/daughter drove back.
It was interesting to see that route from high up on the road, and low down on the train.
It was interesting to see that route from high up on the road, and low down on the train.
kthom
Member
Been up and down the Million Dollar Highway several times over many years. It's always been worth the time and effort! Most fun was a couple of trips via motorcycle, one on two wheels and the last on three. Made the last trip from Canon City along the Arkansas River to Salida and thence to Montrose via Monarch Pass. Spent the night in Montrose followed by the trip south past Ouray down to Durango. What a neat trip. Pretty much white knuckled a few times when meeting a large RV towing a small car in one of the very sharp curves. The RV needed most of both lanes to get around the curve. Had to stop and wait on it to negotiate the curve! First trip on the highway was when I was about six YOA. Dad was meeting another vehicle on that very narrow road back then late in the day. There was a large rock in the center of our lane just around a curve and Dad couldn't dodge it. Wound up on top of it high centered. Had to jack up the car to dislodge the big rock while sitting there completely blocking one lane. I got dispatched back up the hill to the other side of the curve to warn oncoming traffic. My mom was having a fit that my dad sent me on that duty, but I got 'em warned and slowed down! That trip remains strong in my memory!
If you haven't been, and you are ever even barely close, take the time to make it. You won't regret it, I don't think! I recommend doing so in the summertime!!!
If you haven't been, and you are ever even barely close, take the time to make it. You won't regret it, I don't think! I recommend doing so in the summertime!!!
Got snowed on in June on the Million Dollar Highway many years ago. I was happy it was a light snow. It's a pretty drive.
Many years later I took my grandmother over that road on the way south to Taos. She never mentioned anything at the time, but later she told me that she was terrified the whole time. I never really gave a thought to the dropoffs. Obviously she did. My sister and brother-in-law were following in their Camaro. He told me that was the most terrifying drive of his life and that I was crazy driving as fast as I did on that road.
A bit later I took what appeared on the map to be a shortcut to Taos on a nice two lane. Suddenly the sign said "Pavement Ends." Wait, what? This is a state highway. Aren't they all paved? Not at the time, they weren't. We were rewarded with a steep drive down into the Rio Grande canyon. A beautiful (slow) drive. We did eventually get to Taos. It sure wasn't a shortcut, but the drive was totally worth the time.
Many years later I took my grandmother over that road on the way south to Taos. She never mentioned anything at the time, but later she told me that she was terrified the whole time. I never really gave a thought to the dropoffs. Obviously she did. My sister and brother-in-law were following in their Camaro. He told me that was the most terrifying drive of his life and that I was crazy driving as fast as I did on that road.
A bit later I took what appeared on the map to be a shortcut to Taos on a nice two lane. Suddenly the sign said "Pavement Ends." Wait, what? This is a state highway. Aren't they all paved? Not at the time, they weren't. We were rewarded with a steep drive down into the Rio Grande canyon. A beautiful (slow) drive. We did eventually get to Taos. It sure wasn't a shortcut, but the drive was totally worth the time.
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Capt Steve
US Veteran
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Lots of chuckles here...
We have been doing southern Colorado for a number of years on my motorcycles and in our 24' class C. The Million Dollar Highway is an incredible experience and damned sight hairier southbound. Silverton is always a hoot but getting there from either Durango or Ouray can be exciting.
We have reservations just outside of Pagosa Springs for the last week in August right on the San Juan River and will be riding the many fine adjacent roads everyday.
Wolf Creek Pass is a favorite on our way up to Creede and beyond. The Hot springs in Ouray are awesome, the underground Grotto at the Wiesbaden spa is unbelieveble {Google it}.
Don't miss the Lizard Head pass coming south out of Telluride as well.
Here is a shot from the Million Dollar highway taken abougt 10 miles north of Ouray:
We have been doing southern Colorado for a number of years on my motorcycles and in our 24' class C. The Million Dollar Highway is an incredible experience and damned sight hairier southbound. Silverton is always a hoot but getting there from either Durango or Ouray can be exciting.
We have reservations just outside of Pagosa Springs for the last week in August right on the San Juan River and will be riding the many fine adjacent roads everyday.
Wolf Creek Pass is a favorite on our way up to Creede and beyond. The Hot springs in Ouray are awesome, the underground Grotto at the Wiesbaden spa is unbelieveble {Google it}.
Don't miss the Lizard Head pass coming south out of Telluride as well.
Here is a shot from the Million Dollar highway taken abougt 10 miles north of Ouray:
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
You have real mountains there we have pimples in the northeast.
Is it true the sheep and deer have shorter legs on one side from walking on the side of mountains? Lol
Is it true the sheep and deer have shorter legs on one side from walking on the side of mountains? Lol
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