Final Information to the Million Greenback Freeway & The San Juan Skyway Loop – Bearfoot Principle

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The Million Greenback Freeway and San Juan Skyway highway journey is a must-do if you wish to journey by 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 by 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 highway journey additionally lends itself completely to tenting, as there may be numerous Nationwide Forest land alongside the best way.

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

On this information to the Million Greenback Freeway and the San Juan Skyway Loop, we give insider tips about the very 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 lovely freeway that wraps across the San Juan Mountains by Durango and Ouray, Colorado. Also called San Juan Scenic Byway, the freeway travels by a number 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 common 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 could 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 enduring part of the San Juan Skyway between Silverton and Ouray. The nail-biting highway winds round hairpin activates the aspect of a cliff for 23 miles between the 2 cute mountain cities of Ouray, Colorado and Silverton, Colorado.

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

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

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 highway will get hit with frequent avalanches and the guardrails would get rapidly destroyed by these devastating avalanches. Due to this, for those who’re a nervous driver, I like to recommend driving the Million Greenback Freeway from Silverton to Ouray, as an alternative of the opposite manner round, as a result of on this route you drive on the within of the highway, as an alternative 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 highway journey as a result of the climate is usually sunny and heat. Nonetheless, with the leaves turning yellow, a fall highway journey by 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 may barely see 10 ft in entrance of the automobile, not to mention the gorgeous views, and I drove about 5 miles per hour up the freeway from Ouray to Pink Mountain Cross.

The entire whiteout, lack of guard rails, and icy highway saved me fastened to my driving and it wasn’t till the storm cleared on my drive again that I started to see a number of the magnificence that makes this one of the vital scenic drives within the nation.

So, I might keep away from driving the San Juan Skyway and the Million Greenback Freeway within the winter until you might be completely ready with snow chains. They may also typically shut down the freeway as a consequence of snow, so test circumstances earlier than heading out.

Million Greenback Freeway Street Journey Itinerary

Durango to Silverton (48 miles)

Driving from Durango to Silverton, Colorado takes you over Coal Financial institution Cross after which Molas Cross, 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 need!

The place to remain in Silverton:

Little Molas Lake Campground is a few mile off the highway proper earlier than you attain Molas Cross. The primitive campground is at present free to make use of and has no water or trash providers, though there’s a rest room. Campsites include fireplace grates however no picnic tables. This can be a lovely place to camp and take within the meadows and peaks surrounding Molas Cross.

Silverton has quite a lot of resorts, inns, and lodges accessible 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 gives 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 when you are driving, with out taking on an excessive amount of time! This hike gives mountain views for the start of your highway journey! Take a look at this submit for extra Southwest Colorado climbing suggestions.
• Take Photographs at Molas Cross. The very best level of the day, Molas Cross gives 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 gives downhill mountain biking for all talent ranges. Or check out their different summer season choices together with a scenic chairlift journey and curler coaster!

Silverton to Ouray (24 miles)

That is the enduring Million Greenback Freeway part of the highway journey, so take your time, and take within the views! First, the highway winds its manner as much as Pink Mountain Cross, which is value a cease to gaze on the views. Then the highway begins taking place, 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 referred to as the Switzerland of America for nothing!

The place to remain in Ouray:

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

The place to eat in Ouray:

• Pink Mountain Brewing has an excellent beer choice and a number of the greatest candy potato fries I’ve had! Additionally they have nice burger and entree choices.
• Bon Ton is an effective choice for a fancier evening out in Ouray! With an Italian aptitude, they characteristic 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 every of these gorgeous alpine lakes hikes makes a terrific addition to this drive. Get out into the mountains that you simply see throughout you, and discover!
• Take footage at Pink Mountain Cross, or cease at any of the various pullouts on the best way right down to Ouray to take pictures! Simply just be sure you are parking in a delegated pullout, as many sections of the highway wouldn’t have sufficient room to tug off.

Ouray to Telluride (50 miles)

The drive between Ouray and Telluride is one other lovely stretch of highway. You would possibly really feel like you might be driving out the mountains as you allow Ouray, however don’t fear, a number of the greatest is but to return! The highway 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 common and exquisite space, however a excessive clearance four wheel drive automobile is beneficial, though there have been experiences of normal SUVs being high-quality on the drive up.
• Sunshine Campground is a paid, first-come, first-served campground simply 8 miles south of Telluride. Some websites have lovely views of Mt. Wilson whereas others are surrounded by Aspens.
• Telluride additionally has many resorts, 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 number 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 common and exquisite trails begin proper within the city of Telluride and are quick sufficient for a late afternoon outing after a day of driving. Take a look at the Greatest Hikes in Telluride for extra.
• Hike to Blue Lakes. In order for you an extended hike, head in direction of the mountains when passing over Dallas Divide to hike the Blue Lakes path to 3 gorgeous blue lakes beneath Mount Sneffels
• Take pictures at Dallas Divide. This view is one in all my favorites on the entire highway journey, and is made much more lovely 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 gorgeous and sometimes missed Lizard Head Cross and the small city of Rico on the best way to Dolores! Numerous climbing and exploring exist on this a part of San Juan Nationwide Forest, and though I may be biased (I dwell there), I feel 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 accessible as nicely. 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 coated wagons!
• Boggy Draw Dispersed Tenting gives a free and exquisite place to camp. The world has numerous mountain biking and trails to discover, in addition to dispersed tenting all around the mesa. Drive up above Dolores and both head previous Boggy Draw Trailhead to seek out quite a lot of campsites, or proceed down the Dolores-Norwood highway to seek out many tenting choices off the highway.

The place to eat:

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

What to do:

• Cease in Rico, Colorado to seek out an outdated mining city coming alive with just a few small espresso outlets, a historic museum, and a terrific taco truck.
• Hike at Lizard Head Cross or not less than cease and take footage. There are just a few climbing choices within the space, together with climbing as much as the bottom of the tower of Lizard Head Mountain, climbing a 13 mile loop, or strive the Hope Lake hike off of Trout Lake, simply earlier than Lizard Head Cross.

Dolores to Durango (45 miles)

The final leg of the San Juan Freeway between Dolores and Durango heads by 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 highway heads over the La Plata mountains again to Durango, Colorado to complete the San Juan Skyway highway journey.

The place to remain:

• La Plata Canyon options each paid campgrounds and dispersed tenting and is only some miles outdoors of Durango. There’s additionally quite a lot of different dispersed tenting within the space!
• Durango additionally has numerous resorts and different locations to remain within the city itself.

The place to eat:

• eleventh Road Station is a enjoyable assortment of meals carts situated round Ernie’s Bar, which gives the drinks. It may be an excellent choice for meals when everyone seems to be within the temper for one thing completely different, with choices from Thai, to pizza, to tacos, there’s one thing for each craving.
• Steamworks Brewing Firm is a neighborhood 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 quite a lot of small artwork galleries which are well worth the browse!
• Hike Animas Mountain Path. This 6 mile loop up a mountain on the town offers your legs a stretch on the finish of your highway journey.
• Go to Mesa Verde. This Nationwide Park incorporates constructions constructed by Ancestral Pueblo individuals over a thousand years in the past. Study concerning the historical past of the Pueblo individuals who nonetheless dwell within the space at this time.

Is highway tripping the Million Greenback Freeway in your bucket checklist? Do you will have any questions? Go away a remark under!

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