Where is Marshall Pass?
Usa, north-america
48.92 km
3,305 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Marshall Pass, perched way up in Colorado's Saguache County at a cool 10,842 feet. It's just south of Poncha Springs, smack-dab in central-southern Colorado. Back in '73, a Lieutenant William L. Marshall found it, and boom, it got his name!
So, the road? It's a bit of a blast from the past. They basically followed the old Denver & Rio Grande railroad tracks from like, forever ago. That means it's not crazy steep, but it does kinda meander all over the place to gain altitude. This toll road was finished way back in 1878.
Heads up: this isn't your smooth highway drive. It's all unpaved – think Marshall Pass Road. Most of the time, it's not too gnarly, and a regular car can totally handle it if you take it slow. If you're rocking a super low-rider, watch out for a few bumps, especially on the west side.
Since it's high in the Rockies, this pass is a no-go in winter. Snowed in! But when things thaw out? Epic. Seriously, the views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are insane. Summer and late fall are prime time for a visit. There are tons of awesome, rugged campsites near the pass.
The whole stretch is about 30.4 miles, going from Sargents on US-50 all the way to Mears Junction on Highway 285. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 48.92 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,305 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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