Montrose – Silverton – Durango – Cortez

4.5 hrs = 343 km

Travel via San Juan Skyway (Million Dollar Highway) to Durango, then to Cortez
Camping: KOA Cortez (2 nights)

Built in the late 1930’s, the 25 mile “Million Dollar Highway”, is one of the nation’s most spectacular drives.
Part of the San Juan Skyway the road climbs up 3 very high mountain passes. Coal Bank Pass (10,640 ft /3,240 m); Molas Pass (10,970 ft /3,340 m) and Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft /3,358 m).

From Ridgway through Ouray and Silverton to Durango, the highway delivers jaw-dropping vista after vista.

Most famous are the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass. This stretch is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails.

The ascent of Red Mountain Pass to the remains of the Idarado Mine is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and extremely narrow lanes for traffic.

Large RVs travel in both directions, which adds a degree of excitement (or danger) to people in cars.