We have driven many scenic byways, so the proposed scenic drive from Durango to Chama, New Mexico, struck our fancy. It took slightly more than 2 hours to reach Dulce, New Mexico, at which point, we quit and headed back toward Pagosa Springs and home. There were remnants of a narrow-gauge track visible from time to time; one abandoned railroad town complete with a disintegrating depot; four old bridges; and one decrepit freight car.

The road began as a highway, then changed to gravel as we went around the north end of Navajo Lake. Once past the lake, the road conditions deteriorated to the point that when we reached the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, it became a single-track, barely passable dirt and mud road, which finally brought us to Dulce.

As far as scenery goes, if the Million Dollar Highway is a 10, this drive is a minus 5: interesting in a few spots, but definitely not glorious!

The real question is, has anyone from the Colorado Transportation Commission ever driven this road? I doubt they would even consider a scenic byway designation if they had. It would take millions of dollars to make it even passable, let alone a tourist attraction.

Linda McLaughlin

Durango