The Million Dollar Highway is a stretch of highway about 25 miles in western Colorado and follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado.
While the entire 25 miles stretch is called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. In this particular part of the Million Dollar Highway you will see steep cliffs with the noticeable lack of guardrails. As if that is not exciting/dangerous enough, you will also meet several hairpin “S” curves on the ascent of Red Mountain Pass. My first time on the Million Dollar Highway was on a school trip where we were in a large coach on those hairpin turns. Being on the side of the bus with the steep drop-offs and lack of guardrails is something that I will not soon forget. And, the scenery is equally as memorable.
For more on the Million Dollar Highway:
- Roadtrip America
- Jeff Blaylock’s Photoblog – the comments on this blog are priceless
- Road Trip USA
- Webshots – photos of the MDH
