Things seen along the "Million Dollar Highway"

[Normandog]

It's a stretch of hwy 550 from Ouray to Durango in CO. No one seems to know for sure why it's called the million dollar hwy. Some say because of the terrain it crossed that it cost a million $$ per mile to build it. Others say it's because of the scenery and some say because they used local rock for gravel and asphalt that it may have some silver or gold in it. The scenery was awesome and in several places you'd think it was designed by a motorcycle rider. This is one of those places


Wish I could remember what minerals make the rock different colors but I've slept since then.


Used to be a thriving mining town. Just a ghost town now.


The town of Silverton coming into view. Silverton is a cool town. Very old. We saw several buildings that were established around 1860. I'll have to put some more pics of it up later.


Some of that million dollar scenery


One more

[Thunderbolt]

and you were questioning for a couple of reasons why you should or should not have taken the trip.  Looks to me like it was a trip that you and Carolyn will never forget.  Thanks for the pictures.

[bsnicely]

Very cool pics Ronnie,   Steve and I were going to ride that road......

[Normandog]

and you were questioning for a couple of reasons why you should or should not have taken the trip.  Looks to me like it was a trip that you and Carolyn will never forget.  Thanks for the pictures.

I remember that Terry. And you are so right. 

[Normandog]

Very cool pics Ronnie,   Steve and I were going to ride that road......

And I wish y'all could have Brian. 

[Normandog]

These lovely ladies were checking out the Valk until Carolyn pointed the camera at em.


I'm bettin' there's a lot of rock slides here


Another section for the riders


One more. Check out the sign. There were several double switchbacks on the million dollar hwy

[Oss]

great shots ron  I could not sleep a lick before starting that ride we took the road
 to Telluride thru Dallas Divide from Montrose to Delores and then north
 on 550 Durango to Silverton and Ouray

If you could get SmokinJoe to ride out there we could finally stop hearing
about how the Smokies are the end all in riding

Bonnie took all the shots
That part of the country is just awesome I am glad Bonnie and I got to do it
on the Valkyrie back in 2005





thanks for the memory refresher look forward to seeing you this summer

Gilligan and Navigator are like my role models  I hope we get to share as much good times together on the bikes as they have

[Normandog]

 You know Joe would have to leave his "mark" on the hwy out there Oss.
Come to think of it, so did I. 
Nice pics Oss.

[highcountry]

Great photos!  Thanks for posting them.  Seeing them is firing me up for the summer.

[Gilligan]

  Thanks, Normandog.  That brings back many memories of a fantastic experience.

[Popeye]

Haven't been on that road in a long time.  One of my favorite bike trips.  Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[Normandog]

Great photos!  Thanks for posting them.  Seeing them is firing me up for the summer.

I see you're in CO. We loved colorful Colorado and hope to go back some day.

[Normandog]

Thanks, Normandog.  That brings back many memories of a fantastic experience.

"fantastic experience" that's a good way to describe it Gilligan. I really enjoyed your posts of the trip you and Navigator made out west.

[Rowdy]

Ronnie

Did you Carolyn camp or do hotels or a little of both  

Been planning - may just may make that trip out west this summer  

[Normandog]

Ronnie

Did you Carolyn camp or do hotels or a little of both  

Been planning - may just may make that trip out west this summer  

We did hotels Rowdy. In CO you could usually get a good clean room at a mom&pop's for 45 to 60 bucks. Utah and Arizona were a little higher. Also in those states we were in heavy tourist traffic. Closest room to the Grand Canyon we found was about 80 miles away. It was so bad I slept in my clothes.   We didn't have reservations at all. Usually just rolled into some town about dusk and found a motel.

[HayHauler]

So, THAT'S what those rodes look like....

DaveInFrisco, Janet, Laser Pat, Deb, and I rode down in the canyons of the Million Dollar Highway on our way to Frisco, CO for IZ9.  I didn't get to see any of it though, it was raining so hard and it was so dark, we were concentrating on staying on the highway.  It was hard enough to stay on the road, little alone in our own lane!  I was pulling the trialer behind my '99 IS and was having a hard time climbing the steep inclines and handlnig the switch-backs.  It was real hard to see in the driving rain and pea size hail.  hahahaha, but I will NEVER forget that ride.

Hay  
Jimmyt

[Normandog]

DaveInFrisco, Janet, Laser Pat, Deb, and I rode down in the canyons of the Million Dollar Highway on our way to Frisco, CO for IZ9.  I didn't get to see any of it though, it was raining so hard and it was so dark, we were concentrating on staying on the highway.  It was hard enough to stay on the road, little alone in our own lane!  I was pulling the trialer behind my '99 IS and was having a hard time climbing the steep inclines and handlnig the switch-backs.  It was real hard to see in the driving rain and pea size hail.  hahahaha, but I will NEVER forget that ride.

Hay  
Jimmyt

Whoa, I bet that was a ride to remember. There's places there where it's a loooong way down if you go off the road. Too bad you didn't get better weather Jimmy.    We had great weather on that trip.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I'm really enjoying these pics and the road descriptions. Thanks for posting em. Snow's got my 2 wheeled girl locked in the barn and I'm really missing ridin'.

[R J]

There are a variety of explanations regarding the source of the name for the "Million Dollar Highway." One version claims it is based on the value of the ore-bearing fill that was used to construct the road, and another says it refers to the high cost of building a road over Red Mountain Pass (11,008 feet) and the Uncompahgre Gorge. One thing no one will dispute is the million dollar views around every turn. This marvel of engineering, designed by Russian immigrant Otto Mears, slices through rugged mountains as it follows old stagecoach routes and former pack trails. A journey that took weeks in pre-car days is now less than a two-hour journey if the road is dry and the driver is able to resist stopping to enjoy the awesome views. Stunning views of the Yankee Boy Basin area south of Ouray are typical of the area.


Did a Google on the highway & this is the best I can come up with.

I had always heard it was the cost to build.

[wdvalk]

I wanna go

[eric in md]

 i wanta  go too 

[Disco]

So, THAT'S what those roads look like....

You beat me to it, Jimmy!  My thoughts exactly.  And you're right, Normandog, as I've said ever since, just give me a guardrail or a row of trees.  That seamless transition from mountain to road to sky can really be unnerving.  That day took so much out of me I didn't do the Mt Evans ride from IZ9.  (Guess I'll have to go back...) 

Thanks for posting!

[Trynt]

IMHO the road to the top of Mt. Evans is worse (or better depending on your perspective) !!  

[Normandog]

There are a variety of explanations regarding the source of the name for the "Million Dollar Highway." One version claims it is based on the value of the ore-bearing fill that was used to construct the road, and another says it refers to the high cost of building a road over Red Mountain Pass (11,008 feet) and the Uncompahgre Gorge. One thing no one will dispute is the million dollar views around every turn. This marvel of engineering, designed by Russian immigrant Otto Mears, slices through rugged mountains as it follows old stagecoach routes and former pack trails. A journey that took weeks in pre-car days is now less than a two-hour journey if the road is dry and the driver is able to resist stopping to enjoy the awesome views. Stunning views of the Yankee Boy Basin area south of Ouray are typical of the area.


Did a Google on the highway & this is the best I can come up with.

I had always heard it was the cost to build.

Thanks for doing that RJ.  I agree it is probably the cost to build.

[Normandog]

IMHO the road to the top of Mt. Evans is worse (or better depending on your perspective) !!  

I agree 100% Trynt. We had done Mt. Evans a few days before. Mt. Evans was the first rd. I've ridden that got the adrenalin pumpin without scraping any hard parts.  Once it narrows down 3 or 4 miles from the top it is a heckofa rush.

[fudgie]

Wow, I cant believe you sat on them pictures this long. Makes me want to ride! Where exactly is this road? How long is it? Its now on my to do list.

[Normandog]

So, THAT'S what those roads look like....

You beat me to it, Jimmy!  My thoughts exactly.  And you're right, Normandog, as I've said ever since, just give me a guardrail or a row of trees.  That seamless transition from mountain to road to sky can really be unnerving.  That day took so much out of me I didn't do the Mt Evans ride from IZ9.  (Guess I'll have to go back...) 

Thanks for posting!

It really sucks that you folks had such lousy weather for your trip on the million dollar hwy Dave. I've been on mtn rds in weather like that and it is nerve racking. I hope all of you get to go back some day and get good weather.

[Spirited-6]

Check out the sign. There were several double switchbacks on the million dollar hwy

I had a little problem with some of these switchbacks in 2006. I was on a 1100 Shadow Spirit and felt like I was going to tip over several times. The trip out to Colorado was the very best ride I have ever had. Would like to revisit again but------   Every rider should ride those great roads at least once.  

[Normandog]

Wow, I cant believe you sat on them pictures this long. Makes me want to ride! Where exactly is this road? How long is it? Its now on my to do list.

On dial up it is a major time consuming process to post pics fudgie but I should not have sat on these so long.
The million dollar hwy is the segment of hwy 550 (not 50 as I originally posted) that runs from Ouray south to Durango in southwest Colorado. I call it a must do if you're in CO. We liked it enough that we traveled it a 2nd time on our way back. A good thing about it is there are some other good roads for riding and beautiful scenery in the area. Hwy 50 to the Blue Mesa Res. is a good one. And a spur off that is 347 up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Park. Awesome scenery from the south rim of the Black Canyon. Stay tuned, now that Willow has got me kickstarted on these pics, I'll be posting more soon.  Carolyn took most of the pics.

[Popeye]

Fudgie,

I believe the road runs from Montrose to Durango, in southwest Colorado.  Along the way is the town
of Ouray, surrounded by the moutains.  I think it's a must do road when in Colorado.  When we stopped in Durango for t-shirts, the guy told us about Mesa Verde.  Convinced us it was worth the ride.  It was worth the ride.  The Anazazi (sp) indians lives there. They lived in the canyon and farmed at the top of the canyon.  There were several different dwellings.  Would recommend it if you ride the Million Dollar highway.

[Gary]

Here's a shot of Ouray. Not the clearest but was the first copy I ran across. We hit some rain off and on during this trip.

Raymond perfomed the nickel trick on my Std for some on-lookers at this scenic overlook.


The often missed or overlooked Box Canyon Falls is just south of town in Ouray and makes for a nice little stroll while in the neighborhood.




The Silver Thread, Hwy 149 is another great road running North/South somewhat that can easily be added to your tour if doing the Million Dollar Hwy.

A great place to stop for a bite just north of South Fork, The Blue Creek Cafe just above Wagon Wheel Gap.


The Silver Thread runs along The Rio Grande most of the way and takes you through Creede, Slumgullion Pass, Lake City and will spit you out at Blue Mesa (if heading north). 
Slumgullion Pass



San Cristobal Lake (also often overlooked or missed, just south of Lake City)


Lake City


Blue Mesa Res


Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread but thought hwy 149 was worth honorable mention being in the general area of the MDH. In fact if you work the loop of the Million Dollar Highway to end you up on the south end you can then come across hwy 160E which takes you through Wolf Creek Pass, Treasure Falls and then into South Fork to start your Silver Thread run.

Treasure Falls (this area is good for a little stroll and photo ops)


Wolf Creek

[Normandog]

Hey Gary, I don't consider that a hijacking. You just chimed in and added to the thread. To me the main purpose of this board is to share ride stories and pics. And you have some nice ones. Thanks 
BTW, I had planned on returning via 149. Didn't know it was called the silver thread. But we liked Silverton and didn't do much more than ride thru on our way to Durango and points further west. So we decided to go back thru and spend a few hours checking out Silverton. Man there are so many places to see and things to do out there it's tuff deciding.

[Normandog]

Fudgie,

I believe the road runs from Montrose to Durango, in southwest Colorado.  Along the way is the town
of Ouray, surrounded by the moutains.  I think it's a must do road when in Colorado.  When we stopped in Durango for t-shirts, the guy told us about Mesa Verde.  Convinced us it was worth the ride.  It was worth the ride.  The Anazazi (sp) indians lives there. They lived in the canyon and farmed at the top of the canyon.  There were several different dwellings.  Would recommend it if you ride the Million Dollar highway.

I believe 550 runs from Montrose into New Mexico. But when I did a search to see why it's called the million dollar hwy, two web sites claim the section from Ouray to Durango is known as "The Million Dollar Hiway"

[Popeye]

Was not sure about that.  It's a great ride.  Would love to ride it again.

Gary, thanks for those pictures.  Colorado is such a great state to ride in.

Keep hoping to retire in the southwest, so I am so much closer to some of my favorite rides.

[sandy]

That bridge over the road isn't for rock slides. It's for snow/rain runoff. If it weren't there, the road would be blocked too often during bad weather.

It's a stretch of hwy 550 from Ouray to Durango in CO. No one seems to know for sure why it's called the million dollar hwy. Some say because of the terrain it crossed that it cost a million $$ per mile to build it. Others say it's because of the scenery and some say because they used local rock for gravel and asphalt that it may have some silver or gold in it. The scenery was awesome and in several places you'd think it was designed by a motorcycle rider. This is one of those places


Wish I could remember what minerals make the rock different colors but I've slept since then.


Used to be a thriving mining town. Just a ghost town now.


The town of Silverton coming into view. Silverton is a cool town. Very old. We saw several buildings that were established around 1860. I'll have to put some more pics of it up later.


Some of that million dollar scenery


One more

[Beast03]

I love riding the roads in Colorado. I live about 2 hrs. away for these beautiful sites and try to go at least once a year. They say around here the reason it's called the million dollar highway is because that is the value of gold dust that was lost when bringing the gold off the mountain. Who knows really for sure.

[czuch]

We took that inna renta cage on vacation in 07. Its on "Most dangerous drives." I think as stated before its a thin shoulder between wow and WOW. The drops are harrowing. The scenery is fantastic. Not enough pulloffs for my taste. There was still snow in august, of course there ,it could have snowed the day before. We spent the night at a friends house who smoked in the house real bad and I had no wind so we didnt do alot of walkin around. Fantastic ride and wonderful pics. I say "if youhavent dont it, if youre in the area its a must do." Take the time and see some of the stuff and history.

[Normandog]

That bridge over the road isn't for rock slides. It's for snow/rain runoff. If it weren't there, the road would be blocked too often during bad weather.

So it depends on how steep the slope above the road is as to whether they need one ?? And maybe how much vegetation there is to hold the snow back ?Just asking because I think there was only the one.
I'm comparing it to our roof since we replaced asphalt with metal and didn't pay xtra for the ice stays (or whatever they're called) because we hadn't been getting much snow. The roof over the porch is 3/12 so it aint bad. But the house is 12/12. No porch on back of house. You do not want to be in the way when 12 inches of snow comes sliding off that. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

The Duc Man and I are planning a ride to Yellowstone the first of August this year. He and Autumn ran “the million dollar highway” several times on their trip West and he also says it’s a “must do” while we’re out there. Man, I’m looking forward to it, you’re pics of the area are amazing.

[fudgie]

The Duc Man and I are planning a ride to Yellowstone the first of August this year. He and Autumn ran “the million dollar highway” several times on their trip West and he also says it’s a “must do” while we’re out there. Man, I’m looking forward to it, you’re pics of the area are amazing.

Take a coat! Talked to some guys in Sturgis last year and and the stayed over night there. They had to scrape ice and snow of there scoots in the morning.  Maybe our paths will cross in WY this year.