Starting Point: Durango, CO
Destination: Vail, CO
Day 9 mileage: 331.7
Cumulative mileage (GPS): 4485.0
Cumulative mileage (Odometer): 4571.5
Leaving Durango, we geared up with our heated jackets in anticipation of riding to 11,000 feet. Having ridden the east side of the San Juan Scenic Skyway in 2012, we knew what to expect on the Million Dollar Highway - and couldn't wait to experience it again. The weather was perfect, the ride did not disappoint, and we made our way to Silverton for a break and some shopping. Interestingly enough, our visit to the Harley Davidson merchandise shop (no bikes) proved to be our only visit to a dealership on the entire trip - and was the site of the single T-shirt purchase I made on this year's trip. Strange...
This part of the San Juan Scenic Skyway is one of those rides that every touring motorcyclist should enjoy at some point in their lifetime. Here are some excerpts from our ride summary that describe some of what we experienced on this part of our ride: The San Juan Skyway is designated as an All-American Road, a National Forest Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic & Historical Byway. The Skyway has been called one of the most beautiful drives in America, and has been described in an Alamo Car Rental advertisement as a place “where the road touches the sky.” The San Juans are the largest and most rugged collection of mountain peaks in Colorado with thirteen of the peaks above 14,000 feet. The San Juan Skyway travels over four mountain passes and through two National Forests, Uncompahgre and San Juan, and provides a view of many different climate zones. During the trip, the temperature will vary up to fifteen degrees between valleys and mountaintops with an accompanying change in flora and fauna at different elevations. The trip can begin at any point along the route; ours will begin in Durango. There are spectacular views of Pigeon and Turret Mountains that rise to 13,000 feet, and three fourteeners; Windom, Eolus, and Sunlight. The road continues along mountainsides providing gorgeous views up to Molas Pass’s summit at 10,899 feet. From Molas Pass you will descend into the active mining town of Silverton, which is also the northern terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The town is a historical site and has the feel of the mining era still intact.
The section of the San Juan Skyway from Silverton to Ouray is known as the Million-Dollar Highway and the road climbs up Red Mountain pass at 11,075 feet at the summit and descends into Ouray. Red Mountain, a collapsed volcano cone that got its name from the lava flow and oxidized minerals within the rocky surface, was discovered to have gold in 1860. Miners rushed to the area and proceeded to obtain $850 million worth of gold, silver, and other minerals from its soil. The Million Dollar Highway was engineered and designed by a Russian immigrant named Otto Mears, who became known as the “Pathfinder of the San Juan’s.” His work through the Uncompahgre Gorge and over Red Mountain is still marveled over by engineers today. The Million Dollar Highway’s name comes from either the cost of construction or from the value of ore bearing fill used in the road, the debate continues on where the name came from, but likely will never be resolved. The Million-Dollar Highway ends in the quaint Victorian town of Ouray. Ouray is known for its large natural Hot Springs and picturesque views.
The All American Road is the highest designation, given by the US Department of transportation and was awarded to the San Juan Skyway because of the rich experience in culture, archaeology, history, scenery, and recreation the road offers to visitors. This skyway was one of the first six roads in the United States to receive this designation.
We stopped for a relaxing lunch in Montrose, CO, then headed east on Colorado Highway 50 on our way to the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. This turned out to be a great experience as well, and took us almost all the way to our condos in Vail. We arrived in Vail in plenty of time to check in, clean up, then take the hotel shuttle into town. We were able to walk around Vail Village and enjoyed an excellent dinner on the river (Trent's generous treat!), then had ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery before calling it a night.
Here are a few pictures. More to come...
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