One Drive in a Million: A Mile-by-Mile guide to Southwest Colorado's San Juan Skyway and Million Dollar Highway. Branson R. Reynolds Reynolds

One of the most spectacular drives in North America, the San Juan Skyway is a 236 mile loop which winds through forests of aspen and pine, over high passes with stunning panoramic views of mountain ranges exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, through historic mining towns which played important roles in the colorful history of Southwest Colorado, and past the World Heritage Site of Mesa Verde.<br><br>In 1988 this drive was designated as one of 54 National Scenic Byways, and was later chosen #1 of 10 to be designated as All American Roads for their natural beauty and historical significance. Along the way you may see black bear or mountain lions crossing the highway or elk and deer grazing in the meadows. A portion of this route includes the famous Million Dollar Highway which negotiates the awesome Uncompahgre Gorge, high in the Rocky Mountains between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado.