The Kile's Full-Time RV'ing Blog: Million Dollar Highway Durango, Silverton, Ouray

Yesterday we took a ride from Durango to Silverton on Highway US 550, also known as part of the million dollar highway. Then on to Ouray from Silverton and back home again. As some of you know already Silverton is my most favorite town. We have been to Silverton four times now, we will be going there again tomorrow on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.

Now for the trip, we went over several mountain passes, one of which is Red Mountain Pass at 11,000 plus feet. We then descended in to Silverton which is a town at 9,318. Silverton make you think you are in the Swiss Alps. Make you step back in time and you think you are in a Clint Eastwood movie. They have one paved street and that is main street.

The pass to Ouray from Silverton it is a road not for the faint at heart (Judy). The road on the down hill side is right to the edge. You have the white line then there is 6 maybe 8 inches pavement, then at this point the road drops straight off for about 1/4 mile (this will make your butt pucker tight). If you wander over the white line here it will be the last time you do it. Oh yes, did I mention that there are no guard rails to slow you down. It is worth the drive though, some say the road get it's name from the cost of the road between Ouray and Silverton. Others say it gets it's name from the million dollar views.