Molas Pass is a challenging climb on the Million Dollar Highway
Molas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.328m (10,918ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Is Molas Pass paved?
Set high in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called U.S. Highway 550, the Million Dollar Highway. The road is usually open all year round, but can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. The snow season starts in October, and snow will often close the road in winter. Chains may be required to drive. The scenery of the San Juan’s is unsurpassed and many call this area the American Alps. The summit hosts a parking lot with an overlook.
Is Molas Pass challenging?
Located 7 miles south of the historic town of Silverton, within the San Juan National Forest, it’sone of the steepest paved mountain passes of Colorado. Though it is one of the higher passes in Colorado, it has only a few switchbacks on the north approach. The climb is pretty steep, and hits a 7% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It is considerably less intimidating than Red Mountain Pass.