Where is Rollins Pass?
Usa, north-america
16.57 km
3,565 m
moderate
Year-round
Rollins Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.565m (11,696ft) above sea level in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Where is Rollins Pass?
The pass is located on the boundary between Gilpin, Boulder, and Grand counties in Colorado. It sits to the east of Winter Park on the Continental Divide at the crest of the Front Range southwest of Boulder.
Can you drive Rollins Pass?
The road to the summit, also known as Corona Pass, is totally unpaved with lots of holes and small to bigger rocks. It follows the path of an old railroad and is called County Road 80 (or Corona Pass Road).
This road is not well maintained. A high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is required in the summer in good weather. The road starts a few miles outside the town of Rollinsville and comes to a dead end on the east side of Rollins Pass at the closed Needle Eye Tunnel, a short high altitude railroad tunnel.
Is Rollins Pass open?
Set high in the Southern Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado, the road to the summit, which was originally known as Boulder Pass, is usually impassable from November 15 through June 15 (depending on snow).
How long is Rollins Pass?
Starting at US-40, the road to the summit is 16.57km (10.3 miles) long. The drive is pretty steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 782 meters. The average gradient is 4.71%.
When was the road to Rollins Pass in Colorado built?
This historic road over the Continental Divide was the original Hill Route of the Denver, Northwestern, and Pacific Railway built by David H. Moffat in 1903. The first road through the pass was built in 1949.
From 1955-1979, Rollins Pass served as a complete road over the mountain pass for automobiles until a rockfall in Needle's Eye tunnel in 1979 closed the path over the pass.
In 1988, after several studies and structural strengthening of Needle's Eye was accomplished, the complete road was re-opened only to close permanently in 1990, after a rock fell from the ceiling injuring a Denver firefighter.
Is Rollins Pass in Colorado worth it?
The drive is worth it. It provides many scenic views of the lakes and the mountains in the area as well as access to the historical Needle Eye tunnel. The area is a popular recreational location for its spectacular views and wildflowers.
A steep paved road to Tejon Pass in California
Burr Trail is an unforgettable scenic drive in Utah
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 16.57 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,565 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardWebb Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna bag bragging rights for conquering one of Arizona's highest roads? Head to Graham County and find Webb Peak Road in the Coronado National Forest. This ain't your Sunday drive, though! We're talking serious gravel and rocky terrain that climbs up to a whopping 9,984 feet! Yeah, that's Webb Peak, baby! You'll definitely need a 4x4 for this beast. Forget about it in winter – totally impassable. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe sit this one out. It's steep! You'll eventually hit a barrier and have to hoof it the rest of the way. At the top, you'll find a cool old lookout tower built way back in 1933 and panoramic views that'll blow your mind. Just remember, it's high altitude, so be prepared! Even in summer, temps can swing wildly, from a pleasant 70 degrees to a chilly 30 at night, especially with those afternoon thunderstorms rolling in. Plus, the wind can get crazy up there! But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
hardTravelling the most scenic backcountry roads in Joshua Tree
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, desert adventurers! Joshua Tree National Park is calling with some seriously epic off-road experiences: **Berdoo Canyon Road:** This 15-mile, unpaved beast in Joshua Tree throws down a challenge with steep climbs (up to 11%!), sandy patches, and ruts that demand respect. You *need* a 4x4 for this one. The views are killer, and you can tackle it year-round, but watch out – flash floods can totally change the game. Budget about 1.5-2 hours to soak it all in. **Black Eagle Mine Road:** Dig into history on this 19-mile dirt track through an old mining district. The further you go, the tougher it gets, so a 4WD with decent clearance is a must. You'll cruise past abandoned mines (think Barry Storm's Jade Mine!), but fair warning: the road gets blocked eventually. Total off-grid vibes here—no cell service, so plan accordingly! **Covington Flat Road:** Craving panoramic vistas? This 9.6-mile dirt gem delivers! Picture this: Palm Springs shimmering in the distance, framed by mountains and the vast Morongo Basin. A high-clearance vehicle is your best bet, especially after a rain or snow. Wind your way through classic Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines, ending at the Covington Crest Trailhead. **Geology Tour Road:** Calling all rock hounds! This 18-mile unpaved loop is a geological wonderland. Think formations sculpted by erosion, earthquakes, and ancient volcanoes. A 4x4 is recommended past the first few miles. Sixteen interpretive stops make it a super educational (and beautiful!) drive. Give yourself about two hours to explore. **Old Dale Road:** This 26-mile unpaved trail to old mines is not for the faint of heart! Sharp rocks and deep sand make it mandatory to have 4WD. This is a remote area with no cell reception, so allow 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. October to May is the best time to drive. **Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Road:** Looking for a real adventure? The 20-mile Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Road is a rough and rocky 4WD journey that will challenge even seasoned off-roaders. It begins at the Cottonwood Visitor Center and travels through Pinkham and Thermal Canyons before coming out on I-10. This is a remote area and requires drivers to be self-sufficient.
hardSupreme Lift
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so Utah's got some serious hidden gems, and the Supreme Lift road is one of them! Perched way up in Salt Lake County, this gravel and rocky trail climbs to a dizzying 10,498 feet. We're talking serious altitude here! Tucked inside the Wasatch Mountain Range, this isn't your average Sunday drive. It's actually a service road for the Alta ski resort chairlift, and it’s STEEP - some parts hit a wild 30% grade. Seriously, plan accordingly. The window to tackle this one is super short, think late August. And even then, Mother Nature calls the shots. Expect strong winds (it’s basically a constant), and don’t be surprised by a random snow flurry, even in summer. Winter? Forget about it! Brutal is an understatement. But if you time it right, the views from the top, overlooking Alta, are absolutely killer!
moderateHow to drive the wild road to Cerro de la Viga in the Sierra Madre Oriental?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Cerro de la Viga, a real hidden gem in Coahuila, Mexico. We're talking serious altitude here—3,556 meters (11,666 feet)! Perched way up in the Sierra Madre Oriental range, this peak boasts some of the most incredible views you'll ever see. Heads up: La Viga is the tallest peak in Coahuila, so the weather can be pretty unpredictable, no matter the time of year. Now, the road…it's called Camino Antiguo a La Viga. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a purely unpaved adventure. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle it. And be warned: winter can get dicey with snow, and the rainy season brings mudslide risks, especially along that higher section of the road (over 1400m!). Starting from Puerto de Maravillas, the journey is just 10 kilometers (6.21 miles), but don't let that fool you. You'll climb a hefty 909 meters, averaging a steep 9.09% gradient. It’s a challenge, but the views from the top are SO worth it!