How to drive the unpaved road to South Pass in Colorado

South Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.248m (10,656ft) above sea level located in the Saguache County, in the US state of Colorado.

South Pass

Where is South Pass?

The pass is located north of Creede, in the southern part of Colorado, within the Rio Grande National Forest.

Is the road to South Pass unpaved?

The rough road to the summit is totally unpaved and rocky, with narrow parts and steep sections. It is called County Road 17FF. A 4x4 vehicle is required.

How long is the road to South Pass?

Starting from County Road NN 14, the road to the summit is 13.03km (8.1 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 445m (1,460 ft) and the average gradient is 3.41%.

Is the road to South Pass open year-round?

Set high in La Garita Mountains of the San Juan Mountains, the road is not plowed in winters.
Pic: rorobike

 

 

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