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| Along the Million Dollar Highway |
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| Along the Million Dollar Highway |
We decided to forgo the gold mine tour and instead drive to
the old mining town of Silverton. Silverton is located along the famous million
dollar highway; Colorado 550. Silverton is the same as it was in the 1800’s,
old shabby buildings and many of the roads are still dirt. The road to
Silverton is 34 miles from Ouray and took over one hour. This drive is one of the most challenging
drives we have been on. The scenery is awesome but you cannot take your eyes
off the road for a second. The road is a
series of switch backs going up, up and up then switch backs going down, down
and down. It crosses Red Mountain Pass
at 11008 feet. The road is a narrow two lane with a shear drop off on the
outside with no guard rails. It definitely qualified for the white knuckle drive
of our trip so far. The weather at this altitude was cold and snowing.
Once in Silverton we shopped and had lunch. We watched the old
steam train, Durango to Silverton, arrive and prepare to return to Durango. Silverton
is a touristy town but it has a laid back atmosphere to it. With an altitude of 9,300 feet it has a short
season and weather can change quickly.
Returning to Ridgway we took a few pictures when we were
able to safely pull over. We even managed to spot a Muskoxen or Yak?
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| Silverton |
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| Silverton |
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| Silverton |
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| Silverton |
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| Silverton |
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| Durango to Silverton Steam Train |
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| Along the Million Dollar Highway |
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| I don't know???? |
