Is the road to Slumgullion Pass paved?
Usa, north-america
11.3 km
3,528 m
moderate
Year-round
Dude, Slumgullion Pass in Colorado is a MUST for your next road trip! We're talking Hinsdale County, smack-dab in the San Juan Mountains, and the views? Epic!
This baby's a fully paved rollercoaster, part of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway (aka Highway 149), stretching for 50 miles from Lake City to Creede. Don't let the "fully paved" part fool you – the north side is seriously steep, boasting the gnarliest grade of any paved road in Colorado (nearly 10%)!
The climb from Lake City is a leg-burner: 783 meters up over just 7 miles, averaging a 6.9% grade, and it kicks off with almost 10% right away! Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, moose, and even bighorn sheep chilling by the roadside.
Sitting pretty at 11,574 feet, Slumgullion Pass is one of Colorado's highest paved passes. It's generally an easy drive, but those steep sections and a few tight turns will keep you on your toes. The road's maintained year-round, even in winter, though you'll definitely want to check conditions before heading out if there's been recent snow.
Make sure to pull over at Windy Point Overlook, just a couple miles west of the pass. The panoramic views of those 13,000+ foot peaks are totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,528 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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