San Juan Skyway - Entirely

Since we had heard a lot that we needed to drive the entire Skyway loop which, if no stops, would be about 243 miles, we decided to at least head up the eastern section to Silverton and see how things go.  We have driving the part from Durango to Silverton but not beyond.  I had forgotten about Molas Pass, the years before we drove this, it was summer and when we got to the pass it was so crowded with cars we just drove on (or should I say north) to Silverton.  This time we stopped and froze our butts off, but the scenery was just as stunning.

The drive to Durango, love the mountain's personal weather

Winter homes tucked into the mountains

The locals out sunning themselves

Waterfall after waterfall

Beautiful snow capped mountains, there are over 53 'fourteeners' mountains and the majority of them are in this southwest area of Colorado.  Fourteeners means mountains over 14,000 feet in height.  When we drive around Dolores we can see 2 of them in the distance.  Very pretty, very stunning.

Glacier lake still frozen over

Continued on the Skyway and came into Silverton.  The Durango-Silverton train was just coming in and we hurried to get pictures of it as it came into the station.  Loaded with tourists.  And buses for those people returning back to Durango.  The excitement in town was that Monday (yesterday) was a 2-train day meaning it was the first day that 2 trains left Durango for Silverton, tourist season has started.  At the peak of the season 3 trains run daily, so the shop owners were very excited for another booming summer.

Silverton in the distance

And here comes the Durango-Silverton Train

Lots of people were on the train

This Remington was in one of the store fronts - loved it!

Silverton is home to the X Games gold medalist Shaun White

Want to buy a Harley Davidson store?  Got 1/2 Million?

Dave loved this t-shirt, especially the last saying

Stopped into a local coffee shop for a quick cup of coffee and struck up a conversation with one of the interpreters who was on the train.  He was dressed like a Doc Holiday but he was in costume as the first US Marshall of Silverton in 1881.  And guess what?  He was from the Cleveland area (Berea - community right next door to where I grew up) and he was flying back to Cleveland today for a visit.  Small world.

On our way north, along the Million Dollar highway

Abandoned mines everywhere 

Very twisty turny road, not suitable for an RV

So many mountains

Yep, better slow down

They were not kidding

Hairpin turn after hairpin turn

More abandoned mines and buildings 

Red Mountain - red from iron

Built in snow/avalanche tunnel

Decided to head more north out of Silverton, the drive we had never done.  Absolutely stunning, gorgeous.  And dangerous.  This stretch of the highway is called the Million Dollar Highway due to the time it was built, cost a million bucks.  Waterfalls abounded, snow all over, and the driver would have to pay attention, the drop off down thousands of feet would certainly not make your day.

And no guardrails.  At all.

Stopped into the town of Ouray, named for the Ute Chief Ouray who sold the land to the government.  Hot springs are the attraction for this town, got a quick bite to eat and moved on.  Continued on the loop and eventually came into Telluride where we were the other day.  This time I was driving and I drove up into Mountain Village where the celebrities live.  Wow.  Money, money, money.

Ouray just ahead, known for it's hot springs

Continued on the trek back down the Skyway, through Lizard Head Pass, through Rico, and on back to the campground.  Long day sitting in the saddle, but very pretty country.  Too desolate for our tastes but we definitely saw many homes nestled into the mountains.  Can't imagine living there in the winter - would have to be okay with being isolated for months on end due to the depth of the snow.

Today it is snowing where we were yesterday.  Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow and tomorrow night.  Brrr.