Coal Bank Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coal Bank Pass |
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One of the signs at the summit of the pass
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| Elevation | 10,610 ft (3,234 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 550 |
| Location | San Juan County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | San Juan Mountains |
| Coordinates | 37°42′02″N 107°46′37″W / 37.70056°N 107.77694°W |
| Topo map | USGS Engineer Mountain |
Coal Bank Pass is a high mountain pass located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, United States. It sits at an elevation of about 10,610 feet (3,234 meters) above sea level. This pass is a part of the stunning San Juan National Forest, known for its amazing scenery.
Driving Over Coal Bank Pass
This mountain pass is crossed by U.S. Highway 550. This highway is also known as the famous Million Dollar Highway. It is part of the longer San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, a special road known for its incredible views.
The Road's Journey
If you are driving south from the town of Silverton, you will find the north side of Coal Bank Pass is quite gentle. It's a smooth and easy climb. However, the south side of the pass is very steep! It has a sharp downhill slope of 6.5%.
Safety on the Steep Slopes
Because the south side is so steep, there is a special safety feature. It's called a runaway truck ramp. This ramp is for large trucks that might lose control of their brakes while going downhill. It helps them stop safely. After you pass the summit, the road is mostly downhill all the way to the city of Durango.
