The San Juan Skyway - July 2011

I thought the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway was the most beautiful route I had ever traveled ... but now after driving the San Juan Skyway between Durango and Ridgeway over 550, it is close!

The journey is supposed to take around two hours, but as we stopped to enjoy and photograph all the beauty we saw, it ended up being closer to four or five hours!  Molas Pass is where we spent the bulk of our time, with the twisting and turning road, a breathtaking view or rock formation or waterfall revealed itself.

Red Mountain is an abandoned mining camp that is being reclaimed and it sets the backdrop for some amazing views. With the multi-tonal greens of the evergreens, the aspen and the meadow grasses, the rusty ore color just pops against the sky. When we drove it there were big storm clouds forming overhead, so the sunlight shot through like a spotlight framing the colors so magnificently. 

A portion of this journey runs along the Million Dollar Highway and it is one of the scariest roads I have ever driven. The switchbacks are high and steep with very little shoulder room. Not for the faint of heart or distracted driver by any means! (like Trailridge road in RMNP) 

I highly recommend this journey! If you are interested in enjoying Colorado's Scenic Byways, request your free Colorado Scenic Byways Guide today.