Saturday, July 23, 2011

Million Dollar Highway

I did it! I made it to Silverton without falling off the edge of the world 'cause there would be no putting me, Matilda, or Monte back together again.  The Million Dollar Highway is part of route U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton and part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway (yup, another scenic byway). The Million Dollar Highway is just the most expensive portion of the Skyway 'cause that's what it cost to build a road through this craggy mountain chain with no (and I mean no shoulder) and multiple avalanche chutes back whenever. This stretch is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive and that’s not just my opinion. It is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent is marked with a number of hairpin "S" curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic — many cut directly into the sides of mountains. I traveled south from Ouray to Silverton which positioned me on the outside edge of the highway. Large RV’s travel in both directions including me, which is just plain scary! I got an early start so traffic was light.  Many curves I took in the middle of the road. Me, worry about that double yellow line, not!

Did not buy the t-shirt and did not take these pictures.


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