The road to Dallas Divide in Colorado provides stunning views in Autumn
Dallas Divide is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 2,743m (8,999ft) above sea level, nestled within the U.S. state of Colorado.
Where is Dallas Divide in Colorado?
Perched atop the San Juan Mountain range, the pass lies on the border between San Miguel and Ouray counties in southwestern Colorado. Dallas Divide acts as a saddle, separating the San Juan Mountains to the south from the Uncompahgre Plateau to the north. The pass is named after the 11th Vice President of the United States, George M. Dallas.
How long is Dallas Divide in Colorado?
The road to the summit is fully paved. It’s called State Highway 62 (CO-62). The pass is 37.49km (23.3 miles) long running from Placerville (in San Miguel County) to Ridgway (in Ouray County). The first road through the pass was built in 1880 as a toll road. Colorado's Rocky Mountains posed a formidable obstacle for early explorers and pioneers.
Is Dallas Divide in Colorado challenging?
Not at all. Both approaches to the divide are relatively gentle, maintaining a steady grade of roughly 4%. This mild gradient ensures that most vehicles, even trucks, face no difficulties, even during winter months. Dallas Divide is typically accessible throughout the year.
Is the road through Dallas Divide in Colorado worth it?
Absolutely. The route offers scenic panoramas, capturing the essence of towns like Ridgeway and Telluride. For landscape photographers, Dallas Divide represents a quintessential American vista. Particularly in Autumn, the views along this stretch are nothing short of breathtaking.