About twenty-five miles north of Durango US 550 begins to climb into the Rocky Mountains on a section of the road referred to as the Million Dollar Highway from south of Silverton to north of Ouray.
Going Up!
Andrew's Lake
Molas Pass Summit - 10,910 feet
The views were outstanding.
We started up the Ophir Pass Road just north of Silverton. This is a four-wheel drive/high clearance vehicle only, ten-mile "shortcut" over to Telluride.
Looks pretty easy from here.
Approaching the summit.
The scenery was beautiful.
We made it to the top.
With four-wheel low engaged, we were ready to go down the other side.
The road got pretty rough on the west (desent) side.
This little marmet was warning us - "it won't be easy!"
The steep shelf road was one lane, but two directions. We sure didn't want to encounter anyone coming up.
After the pass, the surface changed from one lane gravel to one lane loose boulders. At one point, Virginia had to get out and spot for Kurt because of a drop-off on one side and a large boulder on the other.
We made it to Ophir. The road improves after here.
Here is the shelf road down the west side of the mountain.
Aah, back on pavement.
Made it to downtown Telluride (elevation 8750 feet) by lunchtime.
Following our loop through Ridgeway, we then passed through Ouray.
Ouray sits in a bowl at 7800 feet, we had to climb out of it.
Finally passing through the 13' 7" tunnel we were warned about all day. No problem for the Ranger.
Bear Creek Falls in the Uncompahgre River Canyon.
The Yankee Girl was one of the most valuable silver mines in the United States.
The Yankee Girl Shaft went nearly straight down, 1200 vertical feet.
Here we are back at Molas Pass on our way "home" to Durango.
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