How to drive the unpaved road to the abandoned Highland Mary Mine in Colorado

Highland Mary Mine is an abandoned gold mine at an elevation of 3.432m (11,259ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Highland Mary Mine

Where is Highland Mary Mine?

The mine is located east of Silverton, in the southern part of Colorado, within the San Juan National Forest.

Is the road to Highland Mary Mine unpaved?

Named County Road 4, the route to the mine is entirely unpaved. While the initial section is straightforward and accessible to 2WD vehicles, the final stretch transforms into a narrow shelf road featuring dangerous drop-offs and numerous hairpin turns. Completing the drive requires a 4x4 vehicle.

How long is the road to Highland Mary Mine?

Starting from Howardsville, the road to the mine is 8.2 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 471 m and the average gradient is 5.74%.

Is the road to Highland Mary Mine open year-round?

Set high in the San Juan Mountains, the road is not plowed in winters.
Pic: germanejfan

 

 

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