💎 Driving the Million Dollar Highway: A Thrilling Journey Over Red Mountain Pass

September 22, 2024

The early-morning chill had barely lifted as we began our descent onto a stretch of highway known as the Million Dollar Highway—one of the most dramatic, awe-inspiring, and spine-tingling mountain roads in Colorado. Nestled along the legendary San Juan Skyway, this 25-mile stretch of U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton is a bucket-list route for any road-trip lover. With sheer cliffs, jaw-dropping views, and a dark, colorful past, it’s more than just a scenic route—it’s a story unraveling with every twist.

🌄 Why Drive the Million Dollar Highway at Dawn?

We chose to take this drive early for good reason:

• Less traffic—fewer RVs, fewer bikers, fewer nervous tourists on the edge.

• Perfect light—golden hour and crisp morning air illuminate the dramatic landscape.

• Increased safety—calm traffic means fewer nerve-wracking moments on narrow shelf roads.

Driving into the sunrise over Red Mountain Pass is an experience that’s part scenic beauty and part white-knuckle thrill ride—and we wanted every moment of it.

🚧 Shelf Roads, No Guardrails: The Heart-Pounding Drive

Maybe it's the name—or maybe it's the feel—but no one seems quite sure where the name “Million Dollar Highway” came from:

• A stunning million-dollar view?

• Something you’d do only for a million bucks?

• The cost of paving—or maybe the gold in the gravel?

Whatever the origin, the effect is the same: narrow shelf roads, tight curves, and zero guardrails, perched on the edge of a thousand-foot drop to the Uncompaghre River below.

Having spent over 60 years in Colorado, I’ve driven this road dozens of times. As a kid, I thought it was just a long motion-sickness trigger; now I see it as a breathtaking masterpiece. Just make sure you take it slow, stop to breathe, and use pull-offs often.

📖 Stories in Stone & Steel: The Highway’s Rich History

The Million Dollar Hwy started as a wagon road in the late 1800s, built to service the booming silver and gold mines in the San Juans. Designed by Otto Mears, the route was a toll road initially, transporting miners, ore, and supplies high into the mountains.

Wider and safer now, the road is still rooted in its original purpose—though today it’s more about memories and mountain views than metal and money.

📍 Must-Stop Highlights Along Red Mountain Pass

🛤️ After the Tunnel: Drive Carefully, Stop Thoughtfully

Just beyond the tunnel, the road turns rough and tight. Be ready. There’s a scenic pull-off that’s ideal for a breather—take a moment to snap photos, lean into the silence… and then put your foot back on the brake. You’ll need it.

🌊 Bear Creek Falls: Hidden Overlook Gem

Don’t miss the small overlook labeled Bear Creek Falls. It’s tucked but powerful—a narrow canyon waterspout carving through the stone. Most drivers zoom by, missing the chance to see the water surging beneath their wheels.

🏗️ Snowshed & Gazex: Battling Avalanches

In 1985, a protective snow shed was built to shield the road from avalanches—previous snow slides tragically killed snowplow drivers in the '70s. Subtle sensory bombs called Gazex now trigger controlled slides before they reach the highway, improving safety for everyone.

⚠️ High-Drama Road: Accidents & Risks

Red Mountain Pass carries risk—not lightly. Statistics show an average of 40 accidents and 7 deaths per year, mostly due to narrow roads, sudden weather changes, and distracted driving. Respect the speed limits, stay alert, and keep stress at bay.

💰 Mining Hubs: Idarado, Yankee Girl & Ghost Town Echoes

🏭 Idarado Mine Overlook: A Working Landmark

Pull in at the Red Mountain Mining District overlook, near the old Idarado Mine trestle—one of the region’s final mining giants. This area produced almost $250 million in silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper (adjusted for today’s value). It remained active until 1978 and is still linked to Telluride by a 5.5-mile underground tunnel.

🏡 Idarado Houses of Eureka Ghost Town

Look closely and you’ll see four original miners’ houses, charred by time and weather, now undergoing restoration. Once part of Eureka, now a ghost town beside Silverton, these structures were built before 1920 to house mine workers and infirmaries.

⛏️ Yankee Girl Mine: Flashback to Silver Age Mining

In the distance towers the Yankee Girl Mine, easily one of the most photogenic spots in the area. Its skeletal frame stands as a monument to the frenzy and fortune of late-1800s mining. We circled back for a closer look on the return trip—worth the stop.

🌊 Orange Rivers & Acid-Run Streams

The creeks you’ll see below are stained rust-orange—a legacy of heavy-metal contamination from decades of mine tailings. In some stretches, you'll find fish; in others, lifeless pools. The Iron-laden waters provide a stark reminder of the environmental costs of mining. A nearby remediation project oversees wider recovery and safety efforts.

⛳ Stopping is Not Quitting

Take heed: nutrition and pace are your allies. This highway isn’t about speed. You’re conquering 25 miles of close-quarter driving, altitude challenges, and mental fatigue. If you need a moment, pull off and breathe. Rewards await—like fresh air, bird calls, abandoned buildings, and wild beauty.

🍁 Fall Splendor & Leaf-Peeping Legacy

Red Mountain Pass used to be a secret leaf-peeping route during our seasonal drives to Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta. Colors peaked as we rose into the canyon but faded by the time we drove back—so we chased them at just the right week.

This fall drive is a mix of golden aspens, high alpine meadows, and rugged cliffs. Just remember—it’s Colorado, and fall colors don’t wait.

🎒 Road Trip Tips for Safe, Serene Travel

• Time it for sunrise—low traffic, soft light, calm conditions.

• Drive slow, breathe deep—it’s not a race.

• Don’t tailgate—give large vehicles lots of space.

• Dress warm—weather changes at altitude, fast.

• Check conditions—storms, snow, or closures can hit quickly.

• Plan pit stops—Idarado overlook, Bear Creek Falls, scenic pullouts.

• Water & snacks—essential for altitude adjustment and alertness.

• Fuel up—gas stations are few and far between.

🚗 The Scenic Return: Ouray Beckons

When the highway begins its final descent into Ouray, the views shift—a mix of granite cliffs, evergreen groves, and hanging waterfalls—an entirely different backdrop than the Red Mountain notch.

This final leg is more relaxed, but no less stunning. And when you roll into "the Switzerland of America," you’ll feel earned. One of those journeys where the drive is the destination, and even the return trip feels like an encore.

👍 Final Thoughts on the Million Dollar Highway

Is it the best road trip in America? Scarier than off-roading? A showcase of Colorado’s rugged spirit? Absolutely. We agree with Reader’s Digest, our own County Road, and mountain lovers across the country: Few drives beat the Million Dollar Highway.

Hauntingly beautiful yet nerve-wracking, historic yet fresh every time—it’s a road, a poem, a living lesson. And although I squeeze my camera more than the steering wheel, I'm already planning our next journey—this time off-road to explore ghost towns that hide beyond the falls.

🎥 Ready to See it?

Check out our full video to experience Red Mountain Pass in real-time, complete with summit shots, mining lessons, and orange-stained creekside views. Feeling inspired? Hit like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more epic Colorado road trips and mountain adventures.