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What You'll See

Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway
Welcome to the Million Dollar Highway! Get ready to see the natural wonders of America’s San Juan Mountain range and the beauty of southwestern Colorado. This drive can take around two hours if all you do is drive, but make sure you leave time to stop and explore the Highway’s wildlife, history, and stunning alpine views.
Durango
This is Durango. It started out as a ramshackle railroad camp, but you can thank Otto Mears for the town you see today. Mears ran the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, and he had a big idea: connect middle-of-nowhere mining towns like Silverton to bigger cities via railroad.
The Animas River
The Animas River is a tributary of the San Juan river, which is itself an offshoot of the mighty Colorado river. It flows for 126 miles, beginning high in the San Juan mountains and traveling all the way into New Mexico where it rejoins the Colorado river in the town of Aztec.
So Why “Million Dollar”?
Legends abound about the naming of the route. Some say it was named for its million dollar views. Others say the name alludes to the huge amount of gold found during construction. Some even claim the name came from cautious visitors who said they wouldn’t drive the highway “for a million dollars” because of it’s intimidating elevation, canyon-clinging twists, and lack of guardrails.
Otto Mears and the Ouray Toll Road
Even after Mears built his railroad, there were problems getting metals from the mines to the towns themselves. The mines of nearby Red Mountain in particular produced more gold and silver than the workers could handle. Weather, wildlife and the harsh terrain made passage through the mountains with the metals difficult, if not deadly. But the lure of gold was irresistible.
Geology of the Plateau
Right now, you’re driving on the great Colorado Plateau. This plateau encompasses much of the Four Corners of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. But did you know you can also see hints of the landscape’s history on the plateau?
Pinkerton Hot Springs
Hot Springs can be found all over Southeastern Colorado. While there isn’t much signage pointing you the way to Pinkerton Hot springs, it’s nearly impossible to miss the ochre, green and saffron streaked fountain-like hot springs directly on the roadside. On your right, there’s a small, gravel parking lot where you can pull off the highway and explore the springs!
Baker’s Bridge
This is Baker’s Bridge. Beautiful views of the river can be seen from both sides of the road. If the view looks familiar to you, it should! For fans of old hollywood cowboy flicks, Baker’s Bridge is immediately recognizable as the spot where Paul Newman and Robert Redford took the leap into the Animas river in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Haviland Lake
This is a great spot to break up your drive with a refreshing and icy swim, stretch your legs on a hike, or set up camp for the night. Soak up the sun or cool off in the shade provided by the towering ponderosa pines. Across the lake, you can enjoy views of the spectacular Hermosa Cliffs.
History & Formation of the San Juan Mountains
As you take in the stunning views of the San Juan mountains, you may be wondering how they formed. About 65 million years ago, two huge continental plates collided. The plates folded and created fault lines along the earth’s crust. Imagine pushing two rugs together across a hard floor, and picture the way that they might wrinkle up and fold over one another. That’s just what happened here, only on a much larger scale!
History of the Gold Rush
So we’ve talked a little about all the valuable metals flowing from this area, but how did that all get started? Well, about a decade after California’s infamous gold rush, Colorado got its own in 1859.
Coal Bank Pass
You’re entering Coal Bank Pass, with an elevation of 10,610 feet! This is one of the three highest mountain passes along the Million Dollar Highway, just behind Molas and Red Mountain Pass.
Molas Pass
We’re continuing our ascent as we enter Molas Pass, home to breathtaking views of the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan mountains. We’re driving at 10,912 feet above sea level right now, so try not to get dizzy when you look down!
Molas Lake
Coming up on your right is Molas Lake. To access it, turn right up ahead onto Forest Road 584. Follow that until you see a sign for Big Molas Campground, then turn right again.
Immigrant Labor
The Million Dollar Highway is unlike any in America, but it took a great deal of hard work to put it together. Labor crews composed of largely Chinese and Irish immigrants had to clear trees and blast away rocks and other barriers just to establish level ground for the road.
Silverton
Like most towns here, Silverton had humble beginnings as a mining camp, but its history is a little dark. Before 1873, much of the San Juan Mountains belonged to the Ute tribe. But when prospectors discovered gold and silver in the mountains, masses of people began encroaching on Ute land.
Detour to Clear Creek Falls
If this harsh, dry landscape is giving you the blues, take the left up ahead and follow our detour route to Clear Creek Falls. This hidden waterfall makes for a great change of pace from the arid mountains. If you’re here in the spring, it’s especially impressive thanks to all the snowmelt!
Red Mountain Pass
You’re entering Red Mountain Pass, which means you’ve officially reached 11,000 feet of elevation! I hope you’re not afraid of heights! Even if you are, however, Red Mountain Pass rewards visitors with astonishing views of the surrounding landscape, and unbeatable photo opportunities. That’s because this is the highest point on the entire highway!
Erosion/Gulch
The dramatic, sloping sides of the Million Dollar Highway are part of what make it so special. But they’re also one of the reasons this highway was so difficult to build in the first place
Ironton
Remember what I said about ghost towns reclaimed by nature? Just over the hills on your right is Ironton, a great example of one of these.
Crystal Lake
Pull into a spot on the side of the highway here to visit the beautiful Crystal Lake. Reflecting the peaks of the San Juan Mountains in its calm and aptly named waters, Crystal Lake is a perfect place to rest and soak up the scenery. Lakes like this one are also an ideal spot to get a glimpse of wildlife. In land as dry as this, the local creatures rely on mountain lakes for hydration, which makes them a sort of gathering point.
Bear Creek Falls
Pull into the turnoff on your left for a view of Bear Creek Falls. These falls are one of the sights that make the Million Dollar Highway special. Bear Creek Falls cascades 200 feet down the dramatic rock face and into Bear Creek below. There’s a small viewing area and place to pull off of the highway and park on your left
Ouray
Up ahead is Ouray, which has earned the nickname of “the Switzerland of America.” Pretty peculiar, right? It gets that nickname because it’s nestled deep in this alpine forest, which bears a striking resemblance to Switzerland’s Alps!
Ouray Ice Park
This unlikely, man-made park is a climber’s delight. It started back in the 1980s, when locals decided to use the mountainous landscape to their advantage. Ouray local James Burwick noticed a leaky hydroelectric water pipe with an enormous 80-foot icicle hanging from it. An avid climber, he immediately climbed it. He spread the word about the wonderful accident and other climbers flocked to the site to climb the icy wall.
Box Canyon
This is one of the Million Dollar Highway’s premier attractions. But what is a box canyon anyway? Basically, it’s a canyon formed by a waterfall, so it has three “closed off” sides. Shorter and narrower than a river canyon and with steeper walls, box canyons are usually found within mountain ranges, as opposed to river canyons like the Grand Canyon, which can form pretty much anywhere.
Ouray Historical District
Up ahead is the Ouray Historical District, which dates back to the early days of this historic town! Eight blocks by eight blocks in size and nestled in the heart of Ouray, the National Historic District is ripe for exploration. Take a walk, go shopping, or just admire the unique Victorian architecture. Let yourself be transported back in time to the era of the gold rush, when these mountains positively vibrated with potential and the wild dreams of miners.
Architecture of Ouray.
As you make your way through Ouray’s historical district, take note of the cool architecture around you. You may notice the Beaumont Hotel, mentioned before. This castle-like building was finished in 1886. You can rent one of the twelve rooms at the Beaumont and see the opulent inside, jam-packed with antiques.
Cascade Falls Park
Take a right on 8th Avenue to reach Cascade Falls Park. These falls are so big they can be seen from virtually anywhere in Ouray, but they’re even more impressive up close. From the parking lot, it’s just one quarter of a mile to the waterfall. It’s a somewhat steep trail, however, so don’t forget your hiking boots! When you arrive you can lounge by the creek and enjoy the mist that sprays from the 200-foot falls.
Conclusion / Ouray Visitor Center
That brings us to the Ouray Visitor Center and the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed your drive down this iconic mountain highway.

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