Between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado

The water was colorful to say the least, so I did a little research on it. Red Mountain Creek is an acid mine drainage stream in southwestern Colorado. It contains mining-related metals- concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc exceed chronic aquatic-life standards established by the State of Colorado. It also contains arsenic, iron, molybdenum, and vanadium. The minerals appear to be the result of surface inflows that have been affected by mining activities. All of that aside, the entire area is magnificent.