Is Red Mountain Pass challenging?
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,358 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Red Mountain Pass in Colorado. You're straddling the Ouray/San Juan county line, perched way up at 11,018 feet! Seriously, this is one of the highest paved passes you'll find in the state.
Is it gnarly? Yep. We're talking steep sections, winding curves, and some seriously exposed drop-offs – no guardrails in sight on parts of it. And get this: avalanches are a real thing here, so the road can get shut down for a bit sometimes.
This stretch is part of the legendary Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) between Ouray and Silverton. The pass gets its name from the nearby Red Mountain, those reddish peaks are hard to miss!
Good news: they usually keep this road open even in winter. Bad news: you’ll *earn* those views. This pass is a white-knuckle experience, especially when it's wet or dark.
Think about an 8% grade on the north side towards Ouray. That means steep climbs and descents with massive drop-offs. It's paved, but chains or snow tires can be mandatory anytime. Winter? Treacherous. Summer? Watch out for flash floods that can bring down rocks.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views are incredible, some say it's like driving through the American Alps. Just keep your eyes on the road and maybe say a little prayer.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,358 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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