Red Mountain Pass — Local services in Telluride

Very cool but equally nerve-wrecking experience for us first timers. We took a 2023 Toyota 4runner with 4 wheel drive. This was our first ever off road experience and honestly we probably should have warmed up with something easier. We owe all of our success to the kind people around us who helped guide our way! That being said, we were extremely lucky with dry weather and no wet road conditions!

We started off at irontown park off of the million dollar highway. We then took at right onto corkscrew gulch and followed that road really slowly up to red moutain 1 and 2 view points.

We then took hurricane pass to the top of the mountain which had a great view of lake como. From there we went down but PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE DOWN TO LAKE COMO UNLESS YOU ARE IN A VERY CAPABLE CAR! We nearly flipped our car over at the base of the lake. If it wasn't for Two angels (Tom and Steve) we would have been stuck! (Do not take Poughkeepsie gulch unless you have a great car!)

From there we took the California pass and then decided to take the easy route to Silverton than risk it on the engineer pass.

It was an awesome experience but slow and steady for first timers and always remember the people going up hill have the right of way.

Learn signals so you know how many cars are coming behind the one way...

The Red Mountain Pass, elevation 11,018 ft., is where the wooden head frames and trestles of the old Idarado Mine are still visible. They are right alongside US 550 as it crests the pass. There is a safe pull out for parking across the highway. The mine closed in 1982 and remediation work began soon after that, but the runoff water is still a sick yellow and orange color. The sign posted discusses how much ore was removed and indicates how helpful to the WWII economy this ore was. It would be helpful to people today to get this mess cleaned up. Some mention of the remediation work is made. The pass is known for being treacherous in the wintertime due to the steep 8% grade and switchbacks on the north side facing Ouray, though the entire road is paved. Avalanches, water falling, and rock falls are frequent, and can block the highway for some time. The highway is most dangerous in the rain, when water-loosened rock can break loose from above and bounce down the mountain, with the potential of landing on your vehicle. The mine site is completely closed, and abandoned; no tours are given and no one is supposed to cross behind the raised trestle. I saw no sign of any remediation...

We did this drive on 12/29/24 starting at sunset and OH MY LAWD is it terrifying. Amazing views until the sun went down. Definitely would've been a nail-biter of a ride if I could've unclenched my knuckles to take my hands off the steering wheel. Given the steep climbs and drops, it's probably a good thing I was frozen in fear to the wheel.

I am no thrill seeker, am completely terrified of heights, and my heart was beating so fast on a couple of parts I thought I might need to pull over for a mental (and physical) break, but we made it through and I 100% recommend.

Don't speed. Seriously. Crazy twists in this road that justify driving at and often below the speed limit (especially at night!). Looking at you, scary drivers who want to speed on this maze.

Oh, we also came across a moose. We had just rounded a corner and there he was. Another reason to take it slow!

Don't miss out on this beautiful part...