Muddy Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muddy Pass |
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A view of the sign at the pass in April, 2014.
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| Elevation | 8,772 ft (2,674 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 40 |
| Location | Grand / Jackson counties, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | Rocky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 40°22′36″N 106°34′47″W / 40.37667°N 106.57972°W |
| Topo map | USGS topo map |
Muddy Pass is a high mountain pass located in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado, United States. It sits at an elevation of 8,772 feet (about 2,674 meters) above sea level. This pass is an important route for U.S. Highway 40.
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Where is Muddy Pass?
Muddy Pass is found right on the border between Jackson and Grand counties in Colorado. It's a special place because it crosses the continental divide.
What is the Continental Divide?
The continental divide is like a giant imaginary line that runs through the Americas. It separates the land where water flows to the Atlantic Ocean from where water flows to the Pacific Ocean. On one side of Muddy Pass, water eventually makes its way to the North Platte River. On the other side, water flows into the Colorado River.
Rivers and Creeks
The pass separates two large areas: North Park and Middle Park. North Park is where the headwaters (the very beginning) of the North Platte River are found. Middle Park is near the headwaters of the Colorado River.
Muddy Pass gets its name from Muddy Creek. This creek is a tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one) of the Colorado River. Muddy Creek flows south from the pass and joins the Colorado River near a town called Kremmling.
Traveling Through the Pass
Muddy Pass is one of the easier places to cross the continental divide in Colorado. It's located in a gap between the Park Range to the north and the Rabbit Ears Range to the east.
The pass is usually open all year, even in winter. The roads leading to it are not very steep and don't have sharp turns called switchbacks. This makes it a smooth journey for drivers.
Roads and Routes
U.S. Highway 40 uses Muddy Pass to connect towns like Kremmling and Steamboat Springs. For a short distance, the road actually enters the area where water flows towards the North Platte River.
Another important pass nearby is Rabbit Ears Pass, which is just west of Muddy Pass. It's another place where U.S. Highway 40 crosses the continental divide. State Highway 14 also ends at Muddy Pass, where it meets U.S. Highway 40.
