Last Update: 07/20/2010

Million Dollar Highway and Silver Thread -- 381 miles

This will be a pretty long day, but my, what an awesome ride. This loop combines the MDH with the trek on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, two of the most beautiful mountain routes in Colorado. This will be a long ride, but it will be a fun trip for sure. The MDH passes over several high passes in the San Juan Mountains and gets its nickname from the value of the ore found in the dirt removed from the mountainside to make way for the road. This route is included in many books and magazines describing the best scenic roads in America. You'll ride through the historic mining towns of Ouray (Little Switzerland of the Rockies) and Silverton (northern terminus of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad) via Red Mountain Pass. From Silverton you'll head further south over the Molas and Coal Bank Passes, dropping into the Animas River valley leading into Durango (southern terminus of the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad). From Durango you'll head east on US-160, riding lots of sweepers through heavily treed areas, past Chimney Rock, through Pagosa Springs, and then over Wolf Creek Pass (magnificent), dropping down into South Fork. From there head north on the Silver Thread Byway, with some great sweeper riding through the Rio Grande Valley to Creede, and then on to the headwater area of the Rio Grande River. After a stop at the beautiful North Clear Creek Falls, climb over Slumgullion Pass, dropping down into Lake City (right in the middle of the Colorado Rockies -- this is one cold place in the winter). Ride along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River with lots of sweepers (and a few twisties here and there) as you climb Blue Mesa and drop down to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Ride along the Blue Mesa Reservoir and then over Blue Mesa and Cerro Summits on the way back to Montrose.

GPS Data Files:

[NOTE: After downloading these files to your computer, you need to re-calculate the route in MapSource or your software before transferring them to your GPS.]

	Click here to download a Garmin GPS data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (should work in most Garmin GPS units, but you will probably have to have the GPS recalculate the route using these points)
	Click here to download an iWay GPS data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (courtesy of Jon)
	Click here to download a GPS Exchange data file with all Montrose Routes and Waypoints (should work in most GPS units, but you will probably have to have the GPS recalculate the route using these points)

Colorado Scenic Byways San Juan Skyway

Montrose US-550 south through Ridgeway (watch for deer) to Ouray (an awesome setting, surrounded by mountains on almost four sides). ~37 miles

From Ouray continue on US-550 (Million Dollar Highway). Lots of twisties, awesome canyons and drop-offs, and fantastic scenery as you climb to the top of Red Mountain Pass. As you drop south the other side towards Silverton you will experience magnificent views of the San Juan Mountains. Take it easy and enjoy the views! ~23 awesome miles

From Silverton continue south on US-550 over Molas and Coal Bank Passes (awesome views of the San Juan Mountains), dropping down past the Purgatory (Durango Mountain) Ski Area then through the Animas River Valley to Durango. ~48 miles

US-160 east with lots of sweepers, through heavily treed areas, past Chimney Rock, and on to Pagosa Springs (nice little town). ~60 miles

Continue on US-160, riding along the headwaters of the San Juan River drainage, with several magnificent ranches visible in the valley before you start climbing up the pass.

About 16 miles past Pagosa Springs and about 1/2 mile after your start climbing Wolf Creek, stop at the beautiful Treasure Falls. About one mile past the Falls (road will be a big left turn, and then the overlook is in the middle of a large right turn) stop at the overlook on the left. It provides an awesome view of the San Juan River Valley and allows a close look at the Zeolite rock formations.

Continue on to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass (a great ride), then drop down into the South Fork of the Rio Grande River drainage and on to South Fork. ~43 miles from Pagosa to South Fork

CO-149 north out of South Fork, this is the "Silver Thread Byway," provides more than 100 miles of magnificent riding up to Blue Mesa Reservoir and US-50.

	Big sweepers as you head out of South Fork and head to Creede. ~21 miles
	Take the side road to the right in Creede, taking in the picturesque downtown, but ride on through town to the end of the paved road and see the unique mining items and the outstanding rock formations. You can have lunch in Creede or travel on and have lunch in Lake City. Ride back through town to get back on -149.
	Continue riding up the Rio Grande Valley with great views and big sweepers. Take it easy and take it all in, stopping at pullovers as desired. Some give interesting information on the history of the area. About 25 miles or so out of Creede stop at the Rio Grande Pyramid overlook on the left -- magnificent view back into the massive Weminuche Wilderness. Continue on for about 2-3 miles to the right turn for North Clear Creek Falls. ~27 miles
	Most folks ride/drive right past North Clear Creek Falls as it is not visible from the road; however, it is well worth the stop (see photos below). Less than a mile to the Falls, the road is paved.
	Continue on CO-149, climbing to the summit of Slumgullion Pass, then dropping down towards Lake City. Stop at the overlook on the right (road goes up the hill from the road) about two miles past the summit of the pass. This overlook provides great views of the high peaks, and also the Slumgullion slide. This massive slide from the top of the mountain occurred ten decades ago, traveling down towards what is now Lake City and creating the natural dam for Lake San Cristobal (and probably scaring the crap out of, or killing, any Indians camped along the stream). If you did not stop for lunch in Creede there are several nice places in Lake City. ~25 miles
	Continue on CO-149, following the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, then climbing over Blue Mesa towards Blue Mesa Reservoir. This stretch provides some twisties, but just some great sweepers as you climb up over the mesa before dropping back down into the Gunnison River Valley to US-50. ~45 miles

Right after crossing the reservoir on -149 take US-50 west, eventually crossing the reservoir again -- stop at the pull-over about 1/2 mile after US-50 crosses the reservoir. Very nice views of the Dillon Pinnacles on the other side. Continue west on US-50 with a mix of twisties and sweepers over Blue Mesa and Cerro Summits, then on to Montrose. ~54 miles