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The Million Greenback Freeway and San Juan Skyway street journey is a must-do if you wish to journey via the Rockies of Colorado. It takes you thru most of Colorado’s San Juans, a rugged and distant part of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The San Juan Skyway Loop travels via small city after small city (together with Durango, SIlverton, Ouray, and Telluride), over spectacular mountain passes, and alongside creeks and rivers.

This information goes into particulars about every part of the loop together with issues to do, locations to eat, and locations to remain. This street journey additionally lends itself completely to tenting, as there’s a lot of Nationwide Forest land alongside the best way.

You are able to do the journey in 5 days with a lot of actions or mix days to make the journey your personal. It really works simply in addition to a driving-heavy weekend journey because it does a week-long tenting and mountaineering journey.

On this information to the Million Greenback Freeway and the San Juan Skyway Loop, we give insider tips about one of the best locations to cease, issues to do, the place to camp, and extra.

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What’s the San Juan Skyway?

The San Juan Skyway is a loop of gorgeous freeway that wraps across the San Juan Mountains via Durango and Ouray, Colorado. Often known as San Juan Scenic Byway, the freeway travels via a few of the most spectacular surroundings within the Decrease 48.

Residing within the San Juans, I hear again and again from guests that the surroundings is on par – and even higher – than fashionable locations like Glacier Nationwide Park and Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Fourteen thousand foot peaks rise from the mountain ranges on the perimeters of the freeway and just about the entire journey is only one “wow” after one other. The 200+ mile loop will be pushed in as fast as two days, or take as many as 5 with extra stops and actions.

What’s the Million Greenback Freeway?

The Million Greenback Freeway is the long-lasting part of the San Juan Skyway between Silverton and Ouray. The nail-biting street winds round hairpin activates the facet of a cliff for 23 miles between the 2 lovable mountain cities of Ouray, Colorado and Silverton, Colorado.

From Denver, the Million Greenback Freeway is a couple of 6-hour drive relying on which facet you begin from. It’s nice for an extended street journey mixed with different areas of Colorado!

There may be some debate about the place the title “Million Greenback Freeway” got here from, however some imagine the title got here from the plethora of gold and silver mining that was as soon as within the space, whereas others suppose it was as a result of the street value a million {dollars} to construct. Nonetheless one other idea is that somebody as soon as mentioned “I’ll by no means drive that street once more, not for one million {dollars}!”. That one can be up so that you can determine, when you drive the street!

One thrilling (or scary — you determine) tidbit concerning the Million Greenback Freeway is that it has no guard rails. It’s because within the winter, the street will get hit with frequent avalanches and the guardrails would get shortly destroyed by these devastating avalanches. Due to this, should you’re a nervous driver, I like to recommend driving the Million Greenback Freeway from Silverton to Ouray, as a substitute of the opposite means round, as a result of on this path you drive on the within of the street, as a substitute of the surface (proper on the sting of the cliff!)

Greatest Time To Drive the San Juan Skyway

Summer time is a good time to do the San Juan Skyway street journey as a result of the climate is often sunny and heat. Nevertheless, with the leaves turning yellow, a fall street journey via Colorado would even be an ideal time to do that drive. The aspen leaves within the San Juans usually begin to flip yellow mid-late September and final for about three weeks.

The primary time I drove the Million Greenback Freeway was throughout a blizzard. I used to be taking an avalanche coaching course with San Juan Mountain Guides and was heading out for the primary day of studying in a storm. I might barely see 10 ft in entrance of the automotive, not to mention the gorgeous views, and I drove about 5 miles per hour up the freeway from Ouray to Purple Mountain Move.

The whole whiteout, lack of guard rails, and icy street stored me mounted to my driving and it wasn’t till the storm cleared on my drive again that I started to see a few of the magnificence that makes this probably the most scenic drives within the nation.

So, I might keep away from driving the San Juan Skyway and the Million Greenback Freeway within the winter except you’re completely ready with snow chains. They will even typically shut down the freeway as a result of snow, so verify circumstances earlier than heading out.

Million Greenback Freeway Highway Journey Itinerary

Durango to Silverton (48 miles)

Driving from Durango to Silverton, Colorado takes you over Coal Financial institution Move after which Molas Move, on the highest elevation of 10,970 ft. Ease into the remainder of the journey with this primary leg. It options mountain views and many locations to cease and stretch your legs if you’d like!

The place to remain in Silverton:

Little Molas Lake Campground is a couple of mile off the street proper earlier than you attain Molas Move. The primitive campground is at the moment free to make use of and has no water or trash companies, though there’s a rest room. Campsites comprise hearth grates however no picnic tables. It is a stunning place to camp and take within the meadows and peaks surrounding Molas Move.

Silverton has a wide range of motels, inns, and lodges out there to remain in all year long, though I’ve by no means stayed in any myself.

What to eat in Silverton:

• Kendall Mountain Cafe has scrumptious breakfast choices, I like their breakfast burrito and have additionally heard nice issues concerning the french toast.
• Avalanche Brewing Firm offers an ideal post-adventure deal with of pizza and beer though I additionally love their tacos.

What to do between Durango and Silverton:

• Hike to Spud Lake. This two-mile spherical journey hike to a lake stretches your legs if you are driving, with out taking over an excessive amount of time! This hike offers mountain views for the start of your street journey! Try this submit for extra Southwest Colorado mountaineering suggestions.
• Take Pictures at Molas Move. The very best level of the day, Molas Move provides 360 diploma mountain views, with lakes and meadows galore. Search for the Grenadier and Needles mountain ranges within the Weminuche Wilderness to the east, recognized by their pointy, rocky summits.
• Bike at Purgatory Mountain Resort. A ski resort within the winter, in the summertime the resort offers downhill mountain biking for all ability ranges. Or check out their different summer time choices together with a scenic chairlift journey and curler coaster!

Silverton to Ouray (24 miles)

That is the long-lasting Million Greenback Freeway part of the street journey, so take your time, and take within the views! First, the street winds its means as much as Purple Mountain Move, which is value a cease to gaze on the views. Then the street begins happening, down, down, with numerous switchbacks and a median pace of about 15 miles per hour. The views by no means cease, however there should not too many pull-outs to take pictures, so simply maintain all of it in your thoughts till you arrive above the lovable little hamlet of Ouray. It’s not known as the Switzerland of America for nothing!

The place to remain in Ouray:

• Principal Avenue Inn is a really cute brightly coloured assortment of historic homes on Principal avenue in Ouray. I stayed right here final winter whereas I used to be on the town and it was the proper basecamp to discover the world. One of the best half is that they provide you freshly baked items upon arrival!
• Amphitheater Campground is a good spot to remain for many who wish to be outdoors. I’ve not personally stayed right here, however it’s situated proper outdoors of city and contains 35 campsites. Reservations will be made forward of time, or some websites are first come first serve.

The place to eat in Ouray:

• Purple Mountain Brewing has beer choice and a few of the greatest candy potato fries I’ve had! Additionally they have nice burger and entree choices.
• Bon Ton is an efficient choice for a fancier evening out in Ouray! With an Italian aptitude, they function nice wine choices, pasta, meat, and extra.

What to do between Silverton and Ouray:

• Hike Ice Lakes, Columbine Lake, or Highland Mary Lakes. One in all these gorgeous alpine lakes hikes makes an excellent addition to this drive. Get out into the mountains that you just see throughout you, and discover!
• Take footage at Purple Mountain Move, or cease at any of the numerous pullouts on the best way all the way down to Ouray to take pictures! Simply just be sure you are parking in a chosen pullout, as many sections of the street don’t have sufficient room to tug off.

Ouray to Telluride (50 miles)

The drive between Ouray and Telluride is one other stunning stretch of street. You would possibly really feel like you’re driving out the mountains as you permit Ouray, however don’t fear, a few of the greatest is but to return! The street takes you thru Ridgway, the place you’ll flip left to move over Dallas Divide. Don’t miss the gorgeous views of Mount Sneffels as you head over the go! Then flip left once more at Placerville to move into Telluride.

The place to remain:

• Alta Lakes Campground is a free campground above Telluride with 20 campsites and a transportable rest room. It’s a fashionable and delightful space, however a excessive clearance 4WD car is advisable, though there have been studies of ordinary SUVs being wonderful on the drive up.
• Sunshine Campground is a paid, first-come, first-served campground simply 8 miles south of Telluride. Some websites have stunning views of Mt. Wilson whereas others are surrounded by Aspens.
• Telluride additionally has many motels, inns, and BnBs to remain at whereas visiting, though I’ve not personally stayed at any.

The place to eat:

• Smugglers Union is a scrumptious restaurant and brewery with a wide selection of native meats and produce for his or her meals.
• The Butcher & The Baker is a well-liked sandwich store and bakery with natural and native choices that look scrumptious!
• The Village Market has a few of the greatest contemporary bread baked by Blue Grouse Bakery. It will get delivered on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays

What to do:

• Hike Bear Creek Falls or Bridalveil Falls. These fashionable and delightful trails begin proper within the city of Telluride and are quick sufficient for a late afternoon outing after a day of driving. Try the Greatest Hikes in Telluride for extra.
• Hike to Blue Lakes. If you would like an extended hike, head in the direction of the mountains when passing over Dallas Divide to hike the Blue Lakes path to a few gorgeous blue lakes beneath Mount Sneffels
• Take pictures at Dallas Divide. This view is one in all my favorites on the entire street journey, and is made much more stunning by fall colours, sundown, or dawn. Cease and take pictures and take on this gorgeous skyline.

Telluride to Dolores (65 miles)

This leg of the Million Greenback Freeway journey begins to take you out of the mountains and into the desert, however don’t miss the attractive and sometimes ignored Lizard Head Move and the small city of Rico on the best way to Dolores! A number of mountaineering and exploring exist on this a part of San Juan Nationwide Forest, and though I is perhaps biased (I reside there), I believe Dolores is an underappreciated gem of the world.

The place to remain:

• Dolores River Campground and Cabins is a good riverside campsite with cabin leases out there as properly. They typically have meals vans on-site for dinner, and actually have a children fishing pond! The campsite stays fairly quiet more often than not, and if you wish to keep someplace distinctive, check out their lined wagons!
• Boggy Draw Dispersed Tenting provides a free and delightful place to camp. The realm has a lot of mountain biking and trails to discover, in addition to dispersed tenting everywhere in the mesa. Drive up above Dolores and both head previous Boggy Draw Trailhead to seek out a wide range of campsites, or proceed down the Dolores-Norwood street to seek out many tenting choices off the street.

The place to eat:

• Esoterra Cidery makes scrumptious dry cidery with no components together with sugars or coloring. They formally take into account themselves a vineyard and are available at cider from the angle of wine. The environment and outside space present an excellent place to get to know the homeowners and locals, and their meals truck Zoe the Tail provides contemporary and scrumptious meals. I particularly advocate the cheese plate!
• Dolores River Brewery provides one other nice group gathering place with good beer throughout. They make their very own scrumptious pizza and now have a rotation of native meals vans offering dinners all through the week. Present up and check out what’s out there.

What to do:

• Cease in Rico, Colorado to seek out an previous mining city coming alive with a couple of small espresso retailers, a historic museum, and an excellent taco truck.
• Hike at Lizard Head Move or a minimum of cease and take footage. There are a couple of mountaineering choices within the space, together with mountaineering as much as the bottom of the tower of Lizard Head Mountain, mountaineering a 13 mile loop, or attempt the Hope Lake hike off of Trout Lake, simply earlier than Lizard Head Move.

Dolores to Durango (45 miles)

The final leg of the San Juan Freeway between Dolores and Durango heads via Montezuma county to the small artsy city of Mancos, which is value a cease to discover and have a chew to eat on the scrumptious Absolute Bakery and Cafe. Then the street heads over the La Plata mountains again to Durango, Colorado to complete the San Juan Skyway street journey.

The place to remain:

• La Plata Canyon options each paid campgrounds and dispersed tenting and is only some miles outdoors of Durango. There may be additionally a wide range of different dispersed tenting within the space!
• Durango additionally has a lot of motels and different locations to remain within the city itself.

The place to eat:

• eleventh Avenue Station is a enjoyable assortment of meals carts situated round Ernie’s Bar, which offers the drinks. It may be choice for meals when everyone seems to be within the temper for one thing totally different, with choices from Thai, to pizza, to tacos, there’s one thing for each craving.
• Steamworks Brewing Firm is an area brewery and restaurant with nice beer choices and salads, sandwiches, pizza, burgers, and extra.

What to do:

• Benefit from the artwork in Mancos, Colorado. This small city proper on the base of the La Plata mountains options an eclectic western artwork scene with a wide range of small artwork galleries which can be definitely worth the browse!
• Hike Animas Mountain Path. This 6 mile loop up a mountain on the town provides your legs a stretch on the finish of your street journey.
• Go to Mesa Verde. This Nationwide Park accommodates buildings constructed by Ancestral Pueblo folks over a thousand years in the past. Study concerning the historical past of the Pueblo individuals who nonetheless reside within the space at this time.

Is street tripping the Million Greenback Freeway in your bucket checklist? Do you might have any questions? Go away a remark beneath!

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