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The New Mexico Roadsters is proud to host this Fall's Rocky Mountain Regional event, the "Ticket to Telluride Tour."
UPDATE: Click here for the updated itinerary ->  telluride2008itinerary 110.16 Kb
 The Route: The total Durango-Telluride loop is 231 miles, about 5.5 hours of driving time at slower mountain speed limits. The ride will begin in Durango , where we are in the process of arrange group hotel rates. From there, we will drive up the Million Dollar Highway to the historic mining towns of Silverton and Ouray (70 miles total) and stop for walking and shopping and an early lunch. After that, we will drive another 50 miles to Telluride where we will spend the afternoon touring the city and breathing in the mountain air. From Telluride, it is 111 miles back down the hill to Durango, and we may stop along the way for dinner. For turn-by-turn directions, click on the map to the right.
Million Dollar Highway: MSN Today lists the drive to Silverton and Ouray as one the best drives in the nation: "Despite varying explanations as to the origin of its
name (one claims it cost $1 million a mile to build in 1924; another
says it contains $1 million in gold ore), there's no disputing the fact
that the 75-mile stretch of scenic highway known as Million Dollar
Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes
of western Colorado. Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway,
and following route US 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton
and Ouray, the route's twists and turns wend high above the Red
Mountain Pass at an 11,018-foot-high collapsed volcano whose lava flow
was found to contain gold in 1860 and past the deep Uncompahgre
Gorge, into which flow several waterfalls. As you continue to slice
through the mountainside, winding along hairpin switchbacks (which tend
to lack guardrails) and following old stagecoach paths, this route
bears witness to the area's now-defunct mining operations; you can even
stop in Silverton to admire the town's historic Victorian style
buildings, some of which date back to 1874. That said, the real beauty
of this trip is its elevated "million dollar" sights: Stunning views of
the never-ending country-side, landscapes of springtime wildflowers,
and vast terrain where elk, mountain goats, black bears, and deer roam
freely and truly the picture-postcard image of the great American
outdoors."
Cost: This is event is free to participate in, except for the cost of food and lodging. The more the merrier -- EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Accommodations: UPDATE: We have reserved a room block at the Travelodge for this event. We will post them after this is done. Please call 970-247-1741 and tell them that you are with GM Roadster to receive our group rates of $69 per night for a 2-Queen room and $79 per night for a KING. We have only reserved a dozen rooms, so you must call early to get these rates (our room block expires the end of August). The Travelodge is at 2970 Main Avenue
(30th & Main Avenue) in
Durango, CO 81301.
Preview / Photos: James Walker, who will be leading this ride, went on an exploratory trip and took some photos along the way. Click here to view the photos. Also, you can learn more about each of the towns by clicking on the city links in this article.
How to RSVP: To RSVP for this ride, simply fill out the RSVP Form on the New Mexico Roadsters site. If you are involved in other clubs and/or the national forums, and you would like to caravan with others to Durango, you can RSVP on some of these other sites at the following links (but please, also RSVP on New Mexico page so that we can have one complete list):
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