Because of this, if you're a nervous driver, I recommend driving the Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray, instead of the other way around, because in this direction you drive on the inside of the road, instead of the outside (right on the edge of the cliff!)Cached
What is the alternative to the Million Dollar Highway?
The San Juan Skyway is equally, if not more, beautiful than the Million Dollar Highway. The San Juan Skyway is another scenic highway that basically runs parallel to the Million Dollar Highway on the west side of the San Juan Range.
How many deaths have occurred on the Million Dollar Highway?
Despite the dangerous route, these experiences are well worth the risk. The Million Dollar Highway does not have guardrails in some parts due to snowplow driver convenience. With over 400 deaths since 1992, it remains one of the most dangerous highways in the US.
How many accidents on Million Dollar Highway?
The Million Dollar Highway was named the most dangerous highway in the US to drive. There are about forty crashes per year on the route, and sadly, they are often fatal. There are an average of seven deaths per year, and perhaps surprisingly, they are mainly during the dry season.
How long does it take to ride the Million Dollar Highway?
What is the best section of the Million Dollar Highway?
Red Mountain Pass is the highlight of the Million Dollar Highway, characterized by its steep grade, many turns, and deep drops just off the road. This section of highway passes abandoned mining buildings and is aptly named for the red color of rock seen from much of the road.
Why are there no guardrails on Million Dollar Highway?
Back in the day, there were rocks to act as guardrails, but this became troublesome for snowplow drivers to remove the 300 inches of snowfall over the winter season, so they were removed. This route requires a driver who can focus solely on the road and not be bothered by jittery nerves.
What is the scariest drive in Colorado?
Perhaps the most notorious route on this list, the 'Million Dollar Highway,' also known as Red Mountain Pass or Highway 550, is a stretch of road that travels between the San Juan Mountain Range towns of Ouray and Silverton.
Why is 550 called the Million Dollar Highway?
One legend states that the road was built using a million dollars worth of gold and silver tailings, while another claims the nickname originates from an exhausted traveler who proclaimed: “I would not travel that road again for a million dollars!” Either way, the highway was completed in 1883 and the name quickly …