Ouray, Silverton, and the Navajo Nation

Ouray, Colorado, aptly nicknamed the Little Switzerland of America, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is less than hour's drive from Montrose, and we were soon set up at the 4J+1 Campground.

     The map does not accurately depict our route, as we continued from Silverton to Durango on US 550. Unfortunately, as we write this, that route is closed due to wildfires, and hence Google will not show that route.

Looking up the street from our campsite. It was still pre-season and we were among only a few campers.


Hills directly behind our campsite.

We walked down the street from our campsite to Ouray's pool complex: one cool water pool for lap swimming, which I greatly enjoyed, and four warm water pools. All are fed by natural springs.

     Named for Chief Ouray of the Uncompahgre ("hot water springs" in Ute) Ute Tribe, Ouray boomed with the mining industry in the late 19th century.

Transportation for the mines also brought tourists.

     For two days, we explored Ouray on foot, treated ourselves to meals out for Marilyn's ongoing birthday celebration, and relaxed in the spas.

Ouray is a hub for both summer and winter sports--about town we saw fences, benches, and Adirondack chairs made of retired skis.

We left Ouray (above) reluctantly after two days and headed south out of town on the Million Dollar Highway.

It's debated how this narrow, steep road that runs along the walls of the Umcompahgre Gorge got its name: for the building, the views, or the gold in its roadfill. Whatever the reason, the Million Dollar Highway nickname stuck.

While this tunnel was carved in the rock, another we passed through was actually an overpass for an active avalanche chute.

We'd planned to drive from Durango north to Ouray in the fall of 2016, but as we sipped hot chocolate at a cafe in Silverton, the snow became increasingly heavy. With two nearly 11,000-foot passes standing between us and our return to Durango, Ouray had to wait. This time, weather was not an issue as we enjoyed the snow from afar.

The Red Mountain Mining District consisted of several towns and numerous mines in the area of Red Mountain Pass, which at 11,075 feet is lower than the surrounding peaks.

The red in the hills is caused by oxidized iron ore. Silver was discovered here in the early 1880s. Over the next two decades silver, iron, and other ores worth billions in today's dollars were extracted from the hills. The last mines were closed in 1978. Above: remains of a mine trestle and buildings.

The narrow gauge Silverton Railroad carried ore to Silverton for smelting. The railroad was an engineering feat that includes a 200-degree loop in order to cover the short (45 miles) but rugged route.

Switchback on US 550 from Ouray to Durango, itself an engineering accomplishment.

We had a few snow flurries on the way to Silverton. And then it was down to Durango, the area where the present fire is threatening homes. After a brief stop at an auto shop with a van question, we decided to make the run to the Grand Canyon ahead of the Memorial Day crowds.


Soon the vistas changed and we found ourselves in the rugged desert near Monument Valley.

The vast Navajo Nation Reservation landscape is inhospitable but beautiful.

Some of the amazing rock formations we passed by.

By early afternoon, after about 7 hours of amazing scenery, we entered Grand Canyon National Park via the east entrance.