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| Engineers seat in the Silverton Train |
Highway 550 climbs up and over three mountain passes in the mountains of Colorado.
It's history as a toll road linking Ouray and Silverton goes back to the 1880's. It underwent it's final paved configuration as a state highway completed in 1924. Today it is known as the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.
Summer brings heavy tourist traffic creeping up the the passes, as drivers hold a white knuckle grip on the wheel , afraid to glance over the sheer drop into the canyons below. This area is a mecca for 4x4 recreation driving and exploring the many old mining trails and camps.
Although summer is a beautiful time to visit the mountains, I prefer the Spring or Fall to explore in relative peace. The pace is slower, and the locals have the time to visit.
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| County Dump Truck - Silverton |
It's my custom to take the time to drive or walk the streets of these small towns in a grid pattern, looking for interesting vehicles. I usually travel south to Montrose, after a side trip to the Gateway museum.
On the way south, I found a used car lot featuring a number of used but unrestored cars from the forties through the early sixties. I like to spend the night in Montrose so I can have dinner at the Horsefly Brewery.
The Flat Bread Pizzas or Fish and Chips along with a glass of Tabino Red or Paso Fino Porter make for a relaxing end to the day.
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| Car lot north of Montrose |
It is best to start early in the morning in order to have the pass to yourself. A stop to explore Ouray and soak up the mining history and explore the back streets for interesting vehicles.
The climb up over the passes early in the day is a spectacular drive, that you will never forget. As you drop into Silverton, stop at the Brown Bear cafe, a great little place that serves a great breakfast burrito. It's a good place to strike up a conversation with the locals on what to photograph.
The photograph of the county dump truck was a tip from a fellow diner. It would have been easy to miss it, and the beautiful patina of age on the truck.
It would be easy to spend several days photographing the cars, trucks, trains and historic building in Silverton. The town is small enough that it is easy to walk all of the street. Take time to explore the railroad station and yard. This is best done between arrivals or departures of the famous Silverton to Durango railroad to avoid the massive influx of tourists and passengers.
When I left town, I was able to catch up with the train and run parallel with it for several miles. The drive from Silverton to Durango is another beautiful drive ending in a chance to stay in one of the historic hotels like the the Strater of General Palmer. There are plenty of great restaurants in the Durango area.
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| Packard - Montrose |
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| Popeye - Oldsmobile truck |
The next decision is which route to take next. I like to travel west to Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park. From Cortez, travel north will take you to Moab with Arches National Park, or travel south and west and south through the four corners and onto old route 66 with a side trip to the Grand Canyon.
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| Old tow truck - Ouray |
Add the San Juan Scenic Byway to your list of must drives to make. It will be one of the most memorable trips you can make in the west.
Enjoy your travels
Michael
