Driving the historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado
Usa, north-america
188 km
3,528 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Highway 149 in Colorado, on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, and it's pure magic. This totally paved road stretches for 117 miles through the southwest region of the state, winding through not one, but *four* national forests – Rio Grande, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison. Think stunning!
You'll roll through cute towns like Lake City, Creede, and South Fork, traveling from near Gunnison all the way to US-160 in Rio Grande County, right in the heart of the San Juan Mountain Range.
Word to the wise: this is a two-lane road, so stay alert, especially in winter. While it’s maintained year-round and snowplows keep it clear, conditions can get dicey. You'll climb to Slumgullion Pass, a whopping 11,574 feet above sea level!
Give yourself at least 3 hours to drive, but honestly, you’ll want way more time. This route is packed with panoramic vistas, wildlife sightings (elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep!), and a rich history of Native Americans, early explorers, and Victorian mining towns.
Seriously, the old mining camps are incredible, and the surrounding wilderness is just breathtaking. Follow the road as it traces the old toll routes, stagecoach lines and railways! Look out for North Clear Creek Falls, the Slumgullion earth slide, and Uncompahgre Peak. The heights around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible via rugged backcountry roads. Grab a Silver Thread Guide at the Lake City Visitor Center and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Where is it?
Driving the historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.6030, -97.8993
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 188 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,528 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 36.6030, -97.8993
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