The Million Dollar Highway in southwest Colorado

            In southwest Colorado there is a scenic 232-mile (373 km) loop route called the San Juan Skyway.  A section of the Skyway is called the “Million Dollar Highway”. There is a high elevation stretch which runs for 12 miles through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass (11,018 ft  / 3358 m) which gives the highway its name, although the origin of the name is disputed. There are several legends, including that it cost a million dollars a mile to build in the 1920s, or that its fill dirt contains a million dollars in gold ore, or it is the figurative price for the amazing views of the San Juan Mountains.

The 12-mile stretch through the gorge is challenging and hazardous to drive. It is characterized by steep cliffs (with occasional avalanches), sudden drop-offs, and a total lack of guardrails. There are no guardrails because it allows the road to be plowed in winter by pushing the snow over the edges. 

The Million Dollar Highway has been named the most dangerous highway in the US to drive. There are about forty car crashes per year and sadly, they are often fatal, with an average of seven deaths per year.

Taken in: United States / Colorado / Ouray (show map)

Taken on: August 30, 2022

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Camera: samsung SM-G981U, f/1.8, 1/2339 sec, 5.4mm, ISO 40 (more info) (hide info)

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