High country, steep country. Along a mining road in Colorado's spectacular San Juan Mountains. A glimpse of Camp Bird, of gold-mining fame, in the background. Near Ouray, scenic center of the Million Dollar Highway.
Million Dollar Highway. This route between Ouray and Durango traverses steep cliffs and rugged granite mountains cresting heights of nearly 11,000 feet. The town of Silverton and the Purgatory Ski Resort are located along this route.
Scene on the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) as it traverses Uncompahgre Gorge between Silverton and Ouray in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado
In the foreground, reins, a wooden bucket, and the remains of a wagon lie buried in the snow. A dog looks at the scene from above. In the background, spruce and snow cover the slopes further in the valley.