A contrast from the rolling hills, dusty plains, and gorges of the Cumbres-Toltec Railway, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway instead runs through a lush, green valley cut by the Animas River (from the Spanish: Rio Animas... "River of Souls") running through the Rocky Mountains. This was one of the most scenic parts of the entire trip. Winding through the mountains near the river valley is highway 550... also known as "The Million Dollar Highway" for it's specacular views.