A stones throw from Telluride is a 24-mile stretch of U.S. 550 which takes visitors into another time to when the West was still wild, and this trip requires a sturdy vehicle as the road conditions are definitely not for wimps.

The Million Dollar Highway connects the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, and passes through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass. A series of hairpin turns, without guardrails, borders some rather frightening vertical drops.

Keep your eyes peeled during the spring months for the elk, mountain goats, black bears and deer in the wildflower covered countryside.

The tiny National Historic Landmark town of Silverton and the small town of Ouray see Victorian buildings from the 1870s take you back to the frontier era. Just look out for the tumbleweed in your path.

While the Million Dollar Highway is certainly not a long stretch of road, you’ll need at least a day to take your time over those twists and turns in the road.

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