Heading from Durango to Almont the most direct route is on 550. It is a scenic mountain byway and runs 105 miles. The worst (or best) of is the 12 mile stretch that runs between Silverton and Ouray. This stretch is challenging and can be hazardous to drive; it is has steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a no guardrails; the climb to Red Mountain Pass has several hairpin curves and narrow lanes which are right on the sides of the mountain. There are 3 passes: Coal Bank Pass at 10,640 ft, Molas Pass at 10,970 ft and Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 ft. That being said, we decided to find another route for the Motorhome and did this drive in the Tracker.
We drove by this interesting formation which are the Pinkerton hot springs - named after Judge James Harvey and Ann Eliza Pinkerton who had a ranch and dairy farm nearby. Supposedly the spring is on the West side of the road. There was nowhere to pull over on that side of the road, so when the state re-paved the highway they piped the spring water under the road to the other side. The water flowed out the top of a vertical pipe. A cone of cement blocks was placed around the pipe. In time the blocks became totally covered with mineral deposits
Rolling hills with the Mountains in the background
As we get up in elevation we start to see snow.
A Panoramic view of Molas Pass
Is the Yard this way???
Looking out in the Tracker made me a bit nervous, I'm not sure what I would have done in the RV. I have heard of passengers on the cliff side sitting on the floor! It has also been described as a white knuckle drive.
There are different stories as to how it got the name "Million Dollar Highway". Some say it was the value of the ore in the fill dirt used to build the highway. Others say it cost a Million Dollars a Mile to build back in the 20's. Either way - it has Million Dollar views!
I do believe that's Silverton down below
Yes it is!
Silverton is an old Mining Town and also the end of the line for the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
It is smaller than I had envisioned - it has a main drag with a wide dirt road.
The Train Depot
to be continued . . . .
Till Later!
Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
Melissa, Gary & Tucson
1 comment:
Several years ago, on a trip returning from San Diego, another couple and we rode the train from Durango to Silverton and return and then later drove the road in the car. It is nice scenery and glad you enjoyed the trip.
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