Red Mountain Pass, Mountain pass in San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
Red Mountain Pass is a mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, located at 11,018 feet on U.S. Highway 550 connecting Ouray and Silverton. The route crosses through steep terrain with significant elevation changes across its length.
Silver mining activity boomed in the Red Mountain Mining District between 1882 and 1893, with major operations at the Yankee Girl and National Belle mines. The pass was developed later to create a road connection between these remote mining camps and the surrounding settlements.
The road here was built to connect mining towns and remains a symbol of the ambitions that drove early settlers to tackle this difficult mountain terrain. The route still carries the stories of communities that depended on these high-altitude connections for their survival and prosperity.
Winter driving here demands extra caution because of the steep grade combined with frequent avalanche risks and missing guardrails in many sections. Check road conditions before traveling and adjust your driving to match the terrain, especially during snow or rain.
The pass sits between three red-colored peaks whose exposed iron oxide formations create striking geological patterns visible from the road. These natural red colorations remain visible year-round and are the source of the location's distinctive name.
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