San Juan Skyway, Red Mountain to Silverton
Sheep being gathered in the fall, just south of Red Mountain
The segment of this route from Ouray to Silverton is called the "Million Dollar Highway." This is a winding and twisted road with lots of up and down through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth. Don't be in a hurry when you go through here, there's a lot to see. You might also discover why this area is called the "four-wheel-drive" capitol of America. Heading south from Red Mountain you'll find several good-looking 4WD roads heading off east and west. Some of those that go west cross the mountains and come down in the Telluride area (the road over Ophir Pass is one of these, just north of Silverton).
Also just north of Silverton is a road going east to the Miner's Shrine: a monument to those who died in the many mine collapses in the old days, located on the hill above Silverton.
Silverton is over there somewhere
Still going down the flanks of Red Mountain #3
Still more of that same colored dirt
Silverton is at the foot of that beast (Kendall Mountain, 13,068')
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Just south of Red Mountain |
Notice the reddish dirt |
The Animas River Valley |
Mill Creek Valley |
Looking far to the east |
Kendall Mountain |