Red Mountain Pass (San Juan Mountains) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Mountain Pass |
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Lower gorge, Red Mountain Pass; view from HWY 550 near Ouray
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| Elevation | 11,018 ft (3,358 m) |
| Traversed by |  US 550 (Million Dollar Highway) |
| Location | Ouray / San Juan counties, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | San Juan Mountains |
| Coordinates | 37°53′56″N 107°42′43″W / 37.89889°N 107.71194°W |
Red Mountain Pass is a high mountain road in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, United States. It sits 11,018 feet (3,358 meters) above sea level. This pass connects Ouray and San Juan counties.
The pass gets its name from the nearby Red Mountain. The rocks on its slopes are full of iron, which makes them look red. This pass also divides two important river areas: the Uncompahgre River and the Las Animas River. It also marks the border between the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests.
You can drive over Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway. This road is also known as U.S. Highway 550. It runs between the towns of Ouray and Silverton. This scenic route is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.
Driving the Pass
Driving over Red Mountain Pass can be tricky, especially in winter. The road has a steep 8% slope on the side facing Ouray. It also has many sharp turns called switchbacks. Even though the entire road is paved, it can be dangerous.
- Winter Challenges: Snow and ice make the pass very slippery.
- Avalanches: Snowslides are common here. They can block the highway for a long time.
- Narrow Road: The lower part of the pass is carved into tall cliffs. This section is narrow and has no shoulder. It winds high above Red Mountain Creek and the Uncompahgre River.
Mining History
The area around Red Mountain Pass was once a busy mining district. This district stretches north from the pass to Ironton Park. A big silver boom happened here from 1882 to 1893. Famous mines like the Yankee Girl and National Belle were located here.
- Visible Remains: You can still see the old structures from the mines. These are called head frames.
- Ghost Towns: The remains of three old mining towns are also visible. These towns were Red Mountain Town, Ironton, and Guston.
- Idarado Mine: The large Idarado Mine kept digging for minerals until the 1970s. Work is still being done to clean up the mining waste, called tailings, from this area.
