Million Dollar Highway

We pick up the "Million Dollar Highway" on U.S. Route 550 which stretches for 12 miles between Silverton and Ouray at the Uncompahgre Gorge, summiting at Red Mountain Pass or 11,018 feet.

The road is challenging and hazardous, characterised by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic -- many cut directly into the sides of mountains. Large RVs travel in both directions which adds some excitement for those of us in cars. Sonnet cannot bare to look.

The MDH gets its name from the construction cost - a million dollars a mile - which, when it opened in 1924, was a lot of money. Still is.

"Snake in a bathroom, snake removed and released. Report of a yak in a fence, unable to locate."

--Sheriff's Log, Ouray County Plaindealer newspaper