Topic: Advice on riding the Million Dollar Highway (Read 4367 times)

Buy early · « **on:** May 11, 2011, 11:58:52 AM »

Going out to Denver on business in a few weeks so taking a few extra days to ride with my buddy there. Planning a 2 night trip from Denver to Durango to Gunnison and back to Denver. Main reason is to ride the Million Dollar Highway. I know many on this forum have done this and I'm looking for advice on where to stay, what not to miss, what to expect for time and any other tips you might offer. Have already gotten advice on the need for warm and waterproof clothing so the FXRG stuff will be in the luggage.

Any other advice? Any suggestions on which direction to ride the route (north to south or vice versa)?

I'll make this thread my ride report once we get under way.

Thanks in advance for the assistance/advice!

BTW, anyone out there interested in riding along?

JCZ · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:23:32 PM »

Moved it up here until after the ride....Ride Report board is for rides that have already happened.

That's a great ride and you'll certainly not regreat it.

Here's some pics of our ride through there last year.....be sure to stop at Durango HD and get the shirt, too... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=54514.msg787424#msg787424

Also, you might want to ride just a bit further, to Mesa Verde NP to spend a couple of hours at the Indian cliff dwellings...... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=54514.msg787434#msg787434

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:52:25 PM »

I've never done it on a bike, but in a cage a couple of times...once on a backpacking trip where we took the train out of Durango, and once on a photography journey. Either direction is good. Places to stay...Durango is a small college town, so there are some cool bars and places to eat. Ouray is on the other end of the million dollar hwy, coming in from Montrose. Ouray is called "Little Switzerland"...small town surrounded by 13 K peake, hot springs, and a cool old hotel that has a Mexican Restaurant and nice, funky bar. Neat little downtown area...population is about 1K for permanent residents. Durango probably has about 10K residents, when college is in session. Durango is also closer to Mesa Verde, NP, as JC mentioned. Very much worth seeing if you have the time. The old mining town of Silverton is at the "top" of the Million Dollar Hwy...there's a neat old hotel there, a couple of cool bars, but it's HIGH...I think the elevation is between 10-11K in town. You can do a nice loop if you base out of Durango, go to Mesa Verde, then up through Cortez (I think that's the name), to Telluride (really cool place), through Dallas Divide, then to Ouray, on to Silverton, then back down to Durango. There's a NP lodge in Mesa Verde, if you wanted to spend a night there. From the Ouray side, you can head to Gunnison, Crested Butte, through the mountains over towards Aspen, see the Maroon Bells (big mountains). Take a good camera...there is MUCH to photograph!! Watch for fallen rock between Silverton and Ouray...you can't really go fast anyway, but do watch the blind curves. There are 1,000 foot drops, straight down, just a few feet from the road, so screwing up would be a big one. The whole area is spectacular, with 14K peaks all over the place. Stop in Molas Pass on the Million Dollar Hwy if the weather is good. Be prepared for thunderstorms in the afternoon, especially up in the mountains, and if it's lightening, take cover, cause you're above tree line. If you like taking photos of old architecture, spend a little time in Silverton...lots of old buildings, old Bordellos, etc. It's not a big town, so it doesn't take long to see everything. Good eats and beer though

You will be traveling through the San Juan Mountains, Winmenuche Wilderness...all spectacular. Here's a few photos of what you can expect to see:

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:53:53 PM »

Dallas Divide

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:54:46 PM »

Another from Dallas Divide

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:55:36 PM »

Mesa Verde, NP

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:56:31 PM »

Mesa Verde, NP

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:57:21 PM »

San Juan Mountains

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:58:32 PM »

San Juan Mountains

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2011, 01:00:23 PM »

Dallas Divide

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2011, 01:03:03 PM »

Near Molas Pass

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2011, 01:10:38 PM »

Silverton

I've got a lot more, but won't bore you with them. You get the general idea of what to expect to see though.

Ghost Rider · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2011, 01:16:46 PM »

Box canyon falls near Ouray makes for a nice stop.

http://www.ouraycolorado.com/Box+Canon+Falls+Park

And Silverton is a must.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:18:34 PM »

Here are some ideas for different routes/way to get between Denver and the Durango area.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=denver,+co&daddr=Leadville,+CO+to:Gunnison,+CO+to:Lake+City,+CO+to:durango,+co+to:ouray,+co+to:Telluride,+CO+to:Mesa+Verde+National+Park,+Cortez,+CO+to:denver,+co&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFYfrVgId1Bqq-Smdlwg7JJFqhzEh7ejfiTCkRQ%3BFaEpTAId93Kg-SmfW4P1w5I_hzHskqdFEJ12zA%3BFa1KRAIden-a-SnxvFPhHgA_hzE716IfbKIqnQ%3BFZDGOAIdfeGR-Skj_IW9pgI8hzFafqajgogr3A%3BFXQuRAIdZxCV-SnzhnOvfB8_hzHdWykABMgDkA%3BFVbhQgIdQ-qS-Slz9OZwe9g-hzHh47pxIXfuOA%3BFfdgOAId8CmJ-SFjGPYbopX2eQ%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ&mra=ls&sll=38.995707,-106.938171&sspn=1.039542,1.755066&safe=on&ie=UTF8&z=7

That ride between Montrose and Gunnison is alright but no super spectacular from what I remember. You'll enjoy MDH and I think the route through Lake City, CO between Durango and Gunnison is very nice as well.

DH

Talon · « **Reply #14 on:** May 11, 2011, 03:25:34 PM »

Are you going the same way there and back? The Million Dollar is great either way, you'll be on the outside edge of the big drops, (Red Mountain Pass) going south, and on the inside going north. Just be advised, it's still pretty early for this ride, we just got 4" of snow at 6800' last night! A couple of weeks would help, but still going to be cold in the mornings. It's a great ride, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Ouray, all the old mines, Silverton, and if you can, like someone said it Mesa Verde in Cortez. If you like BBQ stop at Serious Texas BBQ in Durango, it's great.

Craig

JCZ · « **Reply #15 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:02:22 PM »

I knew this thread was going to take on a life of it's own.

Like Terry said....be sure that you've got a good camera strapped around your neck.....it's incredable. One of those rides (like Beartooth Pass) that everybody ought to do at least once in their life.

Talon · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:06:39 PM »

Here are some web cam links in the area your going, Durando looks nice..

http://ouraycam.com/

http://www.nps.gov/webcams-blca/srvc.jpg

http://www.ridgwaycorealestate.com/webcam.htm

http://www.cheavens.com/purg/

Buy early · « **Reply #17 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:08:39 PM »

Trip is scheduled for June 10-13. 2 nights out. Trying to figure out where we should stop each night. Doesn't matter to us if we ride the MDH from the south or the north. Already picked up some great tips. Please keep them coming. We do want to do at least one rim of Black Canyon. Not sure if we would have time to do both south and north rims.

For anyone who lives in the area, could we do Denver to Gunnison, through Black Canyon all the way to Ouray in one day of riding?

Always appreciate advice. I will have a video camera with photo capability in the tank bag.

Thanks to everyone who has weighed in so far!

JC, your experience as a rider and moderator is always appreciated!

Talon · « **Reply #18 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:23:27 PM »

Denver to Gunnison is about 200 miles, Ouray is another 100 miles, so Denver to Ouray 5.5 to 6 hours at least not including stops, Durango 60-70 miles from Ouray. I never stayed in Gunnison, but Ouray is a nice little town, looks like you back in the old mining days.

Craig

20 gauge · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:50:21 PM »

What is the preferred route to get to Durango from Denver if driving a 65k motorhome pulling bikes? Supposed to be there 6-15.

JCZ · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:31:13 PM »

Quote from: 20 gauge on May 11, 2011, 08:50:21 PM

What is the preferred route to get to Durango from Denver if driving a 65k motorhome pulling bikes? Supposed to be there 6-15.

Same route.....park the motorhome in Montrose and ride the bikes.

Talon · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2011, 08:38:00 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on May 11, 2011, 10:31:13 PM

Same route.....park the motorhome in Montrose and ride the bikes.

Agree with JC, but if you need to get the motor home to Durango and don't want to be on some pretty narrow winding roads, I'd take I25 south to Walsenburg and get on US160 heading west. Another option is to take I70 to US 285 south, this is scenic and has some mountain areas, but not near as bad as Million Dollar, this is a good road for a loop when riding the Million Dollar. Below is a google map of the 285 route.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

JCZ · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:47:44 AM »

I think this is the route (and link) that Talon ment to post..... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Denver,+CO&daddr=Durango,+CO&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFZDGOAIdfeGR-Skj_IW9pgI8hzFafqajgogr3A&mra=ls&sll=37.27528,-107.880067&sspn=0.146979,0.219727&g=Durango,+CO&ie=UTF8&ll=39.164141,-106.435547&spn=4.582347,7.03125&z=7

Talon · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:01:43 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on May 12, 2011, 09:47:44 AM

I think this is the route (and link) that Talon ment to post..... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Denver,+CO&daddr=Durango,+CO&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFZDGOAIdfeGR-Skj_IW9pgI8hzFafqajgogr3A&mra=ls&sll=37.27528,-107.880067&sspn=0.146979,0.219727&g=Durango,+CO&ie=UTF8&ll=39.164141,-106.435547&spn=4.582347,7.03125&z=7

Sorry, cut it off, thanks JC.

Talon · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:07:13 AM »

Here's a map of the loop, this would be good, you could do Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Ouray, Million Dollar one way and take the easier route the other.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Denver,+CO&daddr=Gunnison,+CO+to:Durango,+CO+to:Pagosa+Springs,+CO+to:Denver,+CO&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFaEpTAId93Kg-SmfW4P1w5I_hzHskqdFEJ12zA%3BFZDGOAIdfeGR-Skj_IW9pgI8hzFafqajgogr3A%3BFcqvOAIdHimf-SlJtAebbts9hzF_FfhBzBaGew%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=38.505191,-106.435547&sspn=4.401456,12.65625&ie=UTF8&ll=38.470794,-106.435547&spn=4.403555,12.65625&z=7

JCZ · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:16:16 AM »

An alternative....go south out of Denver to Colorado Springs and then go over to Canon City and stop by Royal Gorge. http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/

20 gauge · « **Reply #26 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:42:45 AM »

Thanks for suggestions. 3 coaches are using Durango as a base for riding the area for two weeks.

Talon · « **Reply #27 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:45:11 AM »

Quote from: 20 gauge on May 12, 2011, 10:42:45 AM

Thanks for suggestions. 3 coaches are using Durango as a base for riding the area for two weeks.

Well then, if your looking for the fastest way with the motorhome, I25 south to Walsenburg would be the best, but not the most senice route.

JCZ · « **Reply #28 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:56:10 AM »

Quote from: 20 gauge on May 12, 2011, 10:42:45 AM

Thanks for suggestions. 3 coaches are using Durango as a base for riding the area for two weeks.

O.K. I'm envious now.

Durango as home base......Mesa Verde Indian Cliff Dwellings, Four Corners and Monument valley (do a loop that includes US 160 to Colorado 41 north [it will turn into Utah 162 at the state line] through Montzuma Creek, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley and come out at Kayenta, Az. where you'll head back north on US 160 past Four Corners and on back to Durango). It can be done in one day if you get up and get moving.

DesertHOG · « **Reply #29 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:08:54 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on May 12, 2011, 10:56:10 AM

O.K. I'm envious now.

Durango as home base......Mesa Verde Indian Cliff Dwellings, Four Corners and Monument valley (do a loop that includes US 160 to Colorado 41 north [it will turn into Utah 162 at the state line] through Montzuma Creek, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley and come out at Kayenta, Az. where you'll head back north on US 160 past Four Corners and on back to Durango). It can be done in one day if you get up and get moving.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #30 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:42:16 AM »

There's also a good road for riding near the Mesa Verde area...take 145 out of Cortez, stop at Telluride for a lunch or just to look around, then 62 over to Ridgeway, 550 back into Ouray, Silverton, and into Durango.

Dallas Divide is on 62, if memory serves me...some great views of the mountains to the South.
On another day, you could head out of Durango to Pagossa Springs, then South to Taos on 84/64, from Taos on backroads to Sante Fe. Again, if memory serves me, the drive/ride on 84/64 takes you through Carson Forest on some good, sweeping roads. If you have ladies with you, they would LOVE Sante Fe...hell, I love it too. Lots of neat places to eat/drink, and the Native Americans display their handmade jewelry on the Plaza every day starting about 9AM, where you can get the real thing, and can dicker with them a bit on prices. Just have cash.
You'll need a whole day at Mesa Verde...some of the dwellings you can walk to, or walk a path that allows you to view them from a few hundred yards away, but others can only be visited by Park Ranger guided visits. It really is something not to be missed if you're in the area.
As has been mentioned...take a good camera and have some spare memory cards for it, 'cause you'll be filling some up.

If you're going to be there for two weeks, there are Jeep rides out of Ouray that take the old mining roads up into the mountains. Unless you are really good at 4 wheeling, I'd get with one of the professional rides...those guys know the roads and they are somewhat trecherous. Yankee Boy Basin is one destination for the Jeep Rides...the waterfall there is on the Coors beer can. It will probably be too early for the wildflowers up high, but you're likely to see some at the lower elevations. Yankee Boy Basin:

20 gauge · « **Reply #31 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:17:39 PM »

Kinda nervous. Six weeks ago the c-15 Caterpillar in our 09 Newell let loose and had to be pulled. No small deal. On the road again. Assured the failure was a one in a million deal.

Coach and trailer is 77' long, kinda a burden in close quarters.

Finally, because of some poor life choices, I now live with emphysema. Dr. told me not to stay for prolonged periods above 4k feet. Have not let the disease control my life and I have been 10k numerous times. Just haven't had to live for 2 weeks above 7k. No prescribed oxygen and want to keep it that way.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #32 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:23:36 PM »

7 K shouldn't be a big problem. Things don't get dicey until 8K plus, and you'll have time to acclimate if you're going to be there for 2 weeks. Takes your body about 2 days to produce the additional red blood cells. There is some medication...I can't remember the name of it...that you can take that helps your body produce more red blood cells. You might ask your Doc about it. It's some kind of relatively common med. I've taken it before backpacking above 8K...it helps. Molas Pass (10,900), on the Million Dollar Hwy, is as high as you'll get unless you do the Jeep thing. There is a scenic overlook there, but you don't have to walk much to see good views. Just drink a LOT of water...more than you think you need, and don't wait until you get thirsty to do so...it's too late then. Move slowly when walking, and if you feel light headed while walking/moving, stop and let your body catch up. I"m probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but I've done some backcountry hiking at 12-13K, so have some experience at higher altitudes.

Dr.D · « **Reply #33 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:47:54 PM »

I will be out that way in August and really looking forward to it. I have been there before in a cage but this will be the first on a bike. I may have missed it but which road Is the Million Dollar one?

They call our Cherahala Hyw by the same name out here in East TN.

Talon · « **Reply #34 on:** May 12, 2011, 03:10:22 PM »

Million Dollar is hwy 550.

Pegus · « **Reply #35 on:** May 12, 2011, 03:22:37 PM »

Not only do we receive costly advice on mods, now we also have add expensive travel plans to the list of things to do.

Amazing pictures!!

JCZ · « **Reply #36 on:** May 12, 2011, 03:30:18 PM »

Quote from: Dr.D on May 12, 2011, 02:47:54 PM

I will be out that way in August and really looking forward to it. I have been there before in a cage but this will be the first on a bike. I may have missed it but which road Is the Million Dollar one?
They call our Cherahala Hyw by the same name out here in East TN.

Type in Million Dollar Highway in Google and....

http://www.google.com/search?q=million+dollar+highway&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3zPMTa3vHu3RiAL9xr3oAg&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQsAQ&biw=630&bih=337

Dr.D · « **Reply #37 on:** May 12, 2011, 03:48:15 PM »

Thanks guys we will be on that road.

Author Topic: Advice on riding the Million Dollar Highway (Read 4367 times)