Scenic Drives in Colorado

"The San Juans are the prettiest mountains in Colorado. On top of that,you see them from the comfort of your car!" - Jason Nelson

San Juan Skyway.....This nationally designated All-American Road, The San Juan Skyway, offers 236 miles of the most breathtaking scenery in America. It traverses over mountain passes, through steep canyons and past tremendous cattle ranches and farms. The diversity of the ecology through the Skyway contains ecosystems which vary as differently as those found from Alaska to northern Mexico.

President Theodore Roosevelt created the San Juan and Montezuma Forest Reserves in 1905 to manage the many uses of the San Juan Mountains. Two hundred twelve miles (95%) of the current San Juan Skyway traverse the present day San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests.

The discovery of rich caches of silver, gold and other precious metals changed the nature of southwestern Colorado's mountains overnight and the addition, then, of the railroads turned the small mining camps into booming towns. One hundred miles of the San Juan Skyway follow the mountainous route of the Rio Grand Southern Railroad, passing either close to or through mining towns like Rico, Telluride and Placerville. The towns of Ridgway, Durango and Dolores, on the Skyway, were established primarily as supply centers for the surrounding mining communities.

Otto Mears is recognized as the Pathfinder of the San Juans and a hero to the early white settlers. Not only was Otto Mears an investor in mines, as an engineer he designed and built the toll roads which make up much of the Skyway, and the railroads that linked the settlers to the "outside world" beyond the mining camps that had been tucked away high in the mountains.

As the number of miners increased in the area, the Indians found themselves being crowded out. Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta were extremely influential in keeping the peace between the whites and the Indians. The Uncompahgre River Valley between Ouray and Ridgway had been the undisputed homeland of the Ute Indians. The Brunot Agreement of 1873, however, turned the mountainous regions over to the miners and preserved the valleys and lower elevations for the Utes. The town of Ouray was eventually named in honor of Chief Ouray.

Ouray, and the immediate surrounding mountains, have been a tourist destination since the late 1800's because of the scenic beauty and the natural hot springs that surfaces throughout the town. Just south of Ouray on the San Juan Skyway, the first seven miles is one of the most dramatic and breathtaking stretches of highway in the United States.

A round-trip drive around the Skyway takes six hours without stops. From deserts, alpine forests and over tall mountain passes, you will experience the journey of a lifetime. As you enjoy this drive, use caution and safety and respect what's privately owned. "Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints."

To learn more about this spectacular scenic highway, you can purchase the book "A Historical Touring Guide to the San Juan Skyway" by Ian Thompson at Buckskin Booksellers in Ouray. Order it ahead of time and enjoy the history of this spectacular drive before you visit the area or pick it up when you are here.

Black Canyon National Park
US Highway 50 east & Colorado Highway 347. Distance one way 42 miles or one hour. The entrance to this spectacular park is only eight miles east of Montrose off Hwy 50. This canyon, one mile deep at its deepest point, and 1,150 ft across at its narrowest, was carved out over millions of years by the Gunnison River. This is a great half-day adventure to the United States’ most recently designated National Park.

Owl Creek Pass
Only 12 miles north of Ouray, turn east onto Country Road 10. This adventurous day trip will take you into the heart of the magnificent Cimarron Mountains. Be sure to follow signs directing you through ranch lands, alongside creeks and over high country meadows to the pass at 10,114 feet. The peaks of Chimney Rock and Courthouse Mountain will watch over you as you drive along this route which once was a cattle drive trail.

Mesa Verde National Park
Midway between Cortez and Durango on Hwy 145. One way time: 3 hours. Recently named the most popular National Park in the U.S., the ruins at Mesa Verde National Park are worth the drive. You will be able to see why these ancient Indians felt protected by their surroundings. We recommend arriving as early in the day as possible to avoid the afternoon heat and then spending at least three to four hours at the park. The park opens at 9:00 a.m. Try to take in the museum before actually visiting the various ruins, as this will make the viewing of the ruins more meaningful.

Colorado National Monument
Immediately west of Grand Junction on Hwy 340. One way time: 2 hours. The magnificent Colorado National Monument was established in 1911 to preserve one of the grand landscapes of the American West. You will enjoy the 7 mile Rim Rock Drive, viewing brilliantly-colored masses of naturally-sculpted rock throughout a 32-square miles area. There are several overlooks, picnic areas and short hiking trails along this 7-mile drive.

Silverton
Hwy 550, Distance one way: 23 miles or one hour. Make sure you have your camera for this incredible 23-mile drive to Silvert0n. There are plenty of “photo ops” along the way. The Million Dollar Highway was a toll road built in the 1880’s by Otto Mears. His tollgate was located just beyond the Bear Creek Falls pullout three miles south of Ouray. Silverton is the northern terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Take time to explore this historic mining town and enjoy a bite of lunch. If you have an interest in exploring one of our area’s ghost towns, follow Silverton’s Main Street (Hwy 110) through town to the old townsite of Animas Forks. To get there, pass Silverton’s Courthouse and the Museum on the left and then follow the right fork of Hwy 110, leaving Silverton, for approximately 11.5 miles. Hwy 110 becomes a gravel road about two miles outside of Silverton, but the entire distance to Animas Forks can be driven in a regular passenger car.

Telluride
Hwy 550 to Hwy 62, then Hwy 62 to Hwy 145. One way time: 55 minutes. Although Telluride’s history of gold and silver mining is much like Ouray’s, throughout the years it has developed a completely different personality than Ouray. Telluride has become one of Colorado’s most spectacular ski resorts and the views are worth the 55-minutes drive. Movie stars, among them, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Daryl Hannah, Sylvester Stallone and Christie Brinkley, have built homes in Telluride. On your drive to Telluride, via Hwy 62, you will pass the magnificent Sneffels Range on the south side of the highway. This has become one of the most photographed range of mountains in the Rockies. Make sure to take your camera. Throughout most of the year, the Telluride Ski Resort operates a free gondola, whisking passengers high above the city to the Mountain Village. Be sure to check that our while you’re there.

Left Photo credit: Tom Stillo/CT