Travel guide to the top of Coal Bank Pass in Colorado
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,243 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Coal Bank Pass, sitting pretty at 10,640 feet in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. You'll find it south of Silverton, right on U.S. Highway 550 – aka the legendary Million Dollar Highway!
This pass is totally paved, making it a smooth ride for most cars. Think of it as the chillest of the three high-mountain passes around here, right after Molas and Red Mountain Pass.
Heads up, though! The south side has some seriously steep sections dropping down towards Durango. We're talking a consistent 6.5% grade with some ramps hitting 8%! Thankfully, there's a runaway truck ramp, just in case.
You can tackle this pass year-round, but winter is a whole different ballgame. Snowfall can get intense, leading to restrictions and closures. But hey, if you're lucky enough to catch it on a clear day, the views are unreal. The San Juan National Forest is pure eye candy – think American Alps vibes!
Where is it?
Travel guide to the top of Coal Bank Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.1738, -96.9047
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,243 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.1738, -96.9047
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Six Mile Cove?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Lake Mohave, right? Check out Six Mile Cove – it's this sweet little spot in southeastern Nevada, practically kissing the Arizona border. Now, getting there is part of the adventure! You'll be cruising along Mead-Davis Powerline Road for about 6.3 miles, and fair warning: this road is all dirt! It can get pretty washboard-y. Most cars can make it, and RVs do too, but honestly, a 4WD would be your best bet for a smoother ride. Six Mile Cove is popular, especially in the summer, so try to get there early, like a Friday. There's plenty of space on the waterfront and for parking, but keep in mind your cell signal might be spotty out there. Happy travels!
moderateMinisters Island: A Road That Appears Twice a Day
🇨🇦 Canada
Ever driven on the ocean floor? Head to Ministers Island in New Brunswick, Canada, near the Bay of Fundy, for a truly unique experience. Forget bridges and ferries; here, you drive across the Bar Road, a natural gravel causeway revealed only when the tide is out. But hold on tight because this isn’t your average Sunday drive! The Bay of Fundy boasts the world’s highest tides, so you’re racing against the clock. You've got about five hours during low tide to cruise across this seabed road to the 500-acre island. The real danger? The speed of the incoming tide. It’s not a gentle rise; the water can surge several centimeters per minute, quickly submerging the road under a whopping 13 feet of saltwater. Miss your window, and your car might become an unexpected submarine! Beyond the adrenaline rush, Ministers Island is a Canadian National Historic Site. Explore the summer estate of Sir William Van Horne, former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, complete with a grand sandstone mansion, a round bathhouse, and a massive barn. Enjoy coastal hikes, but keep one eye on the horizon, because that disappearing road waits for no one!
extremeWhere is Sierra Negra?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: you're in Puebla, Mexico, itching for an adventure, and someone whispers about Sierra Negra. This extinct volcano, also called Cerro La Negra, is nestled near Veracruz in the Pico de Orizaba National Park. The views? Absolutely insane! But here's the catch: the road to the top, also known as Tliltépetl or Volcán Atlitzin, is not for the faint of heart. Forget smooth tarmac – it's all unpaved and seriously bumpy. You absolutely NEED a 4x4 to even think about tackling it. Speaking of tackling, this road is twistier than a pretzel! Hairpin turns galore as you wind your way up. And steep? Oh yeah, some sections hit a crazy 17% gradient. From the town of Atzitzintla, it's about 18.5 km (11.5 miles) to the summit, climbing a staggering 1,849 meters. That's an average gradient of almost 10%! Heads up though: this is serious altitude. We're talking 4,576m (15,013ft) above sea level! The air gets thin, and the weather can be unpredictable. Plus, this road isn't generally open to the public. You need special permission to drive it. But if you can pull it off, you'll be rewarded with views and bragging rights that are out of this world. Oh, and you can check out the Large Millimeter Telescope at the summit, the biggest of its kind!
hardThe unpaved road to Telegraph Creek is a Canadian classic
🇨🇦 Canada
Telegraph Creek, a small, largely indigenous settlement, sits pretty on the Stikine River in British Columbia. Getting there? Let's just say the road is an adventure in itself! Built way back during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1860s, the Telegraph Creek Road (Highway 51) is steeped in history. Telegraph Creek, home to the Tahltan First Nation, got its name from a planned telegraph line connecting Canada to the Yukon. This 110km (68 miles) stretch winds east-west from Dease Lake (right off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway) to Telegraph Creek. Hugging the Stikine River, keep an eye out—it's known for washouts and the occasional rockslide. Tucked away in northern BC, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Expect a narrow, steep mountain road that can hit a maximum gradient of 20%! Pavement gives way to compacted dirt and gravel at Km 4.7, offering a wilder experience. It can get slick when wet, but nothing a moderately experienced driver can't handle. Topping out at 849m (2,785ft), be ready to test those brakes. The switchbacks have caused headaches for truckers over the years. Not ideal for large RVs or trailers, but most vehicles should be fine. Much of the road is a single track, so be prepared to use those tiny pull-outs. Factor in 2-3 hours for the drive, without stops. The reward? Stunning views of the Stikine River. With sheer cliffs plunging down to the water, photo opportunities are everywhere. In town, you'll find old buildings dating back to the gold rush era, some restored, some abandoned. Photo by Ken Welte.