Coal Bank Pass, Road mountain pass in San Juan County, US

Coal Bank Pass is a mountain road in Colorado that connects the northern region to the southern part of the San Juan Mountains. The route runs through high alpine landscape with steep sections, particularly on the southern side where the gradient increases significantly.

Coal Bank Pass lies in San Juan County, in the southwestern part of Colorado, within San Juan National Forest. The pass sits between Tacoma in La Plata County and Molas Pass, and it is crossed by the Million Dollar Highway, part of U.S. Highway 550. The sources record no date for when the road reached the pass.

The pass is part of the San Juan Skyway, a route where visitors drive through mountains during all seasons. Along the way, travelers see old mining towns and follow a path used by both locals and tourists.

Drivers should check weather conditions before traveling, especially during winter months when snow and ice can make the route unsafe. The vehicle should be in good mechanical condition, particularly the brakes, as the steep slopes create high stress.

The pass has a special truck runaway ramp on its southern side that can catch vehicles experiencing brake failure. This safety feature was built to reduce the danger of out-of-control vehicles on the steep descent.