RECOMMENDED RIDES
Lizard Head Pass and down into Mountain Village . Take a right on Highway 145 for a very worthwhile three-mile side trip into Telluride . This former mining town has now been discovered and developed as a world-class skiing and festival destination and is well worth the visit .
Backtrack west on 145 and continue 16-miles to Placerville , where you will turn right onto Highway 62 for the 23-mile ride across Dallas Divide on your way to Ridgeway . Here you join the legendary Highway 550 for the trip back to Durango . From Ridgeway , it ’ s only ten miles to Ouray ( pronounced You-Ray ) with its hot springs , quaint shops , galleries , and restaurants . This area is known as the ‘ Switzerland of America ’ for a good reason .
Up to this point , the scenery has been majestic , and the roads have been a motorcyclist ’ s dream . But leaving Ouray is where the riding
gets serious : the Million Dollar Highway . This epic 23-mile stretch of road between Ouray and Silverton was originally built as a toll road starting in 1883 . The name ’ s origin is disputed , but some believe it cost one million dollars per mile to build . Others claim that the fill dirt contains over one million dollars in gold ore . Some credit it to the milliondollar views , and still others believe that the locals wouldn ’ t drive this road for one million dollars in the winter . That is possible , as the area gets 300-inches of snow per year , and there are over seventy named avalanche paths along this 23-mile stretch . Did I mention steep grades , tunnels , hairpin turns , no guardrails , and sheer drop-offs along this section ? Just remember that your motorcycle goes where you look , so keep your eyes on the road , and you will be fine . Don ’ t miss the Lookout Point pull-out for a great photo back towards Ouray .
Head up and over 11,018-foot Red Mountain Pass and drop down into Silverton . This beautiful old mining town is home to Victorian houses , museums , restaurants and is the endpoint for the historic coal-fired Durango-
Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad . Continuing south on Highway 550 will take you over your third and fourth 10,000-foot plus passes , Molas and Coal Bank , before finishing up the loop back in Durango .
Depending upon when you get hungry along the route , the local bikers suggest the following eateries : Enterprise Bar & Grill ( Rico ), Maggie ’ s Kitchen ( Ouray ), Golden Block or Avalanche Bar & Grill ( Silverton ), or the Million Dollar Highway Saloon at the Harley Davidson dealer in Durango .
Years from now , when you look back on incredible motorcycle trips you ’ ve taken , I have a feeling that your day on the San Juan Skyway will be right up there at the top of the list . Enjoy the ride ! CMA
13⎪June 2021⎪www . cmausa . org