The Top 12 Mountain Passes in San Juan County
Whether it be for the views, for the climbs or for the downhill descents, browse our list of the best mountain passes in San Juan County and make your next adventure one to remember. Contributed by the community, for the community, each mountain pass Highlight is a personal recommendation you know you can trust, so simply find your favorite and go.
Last updated: October 1, 2025
This section of the Colorado Trail is called Blackhawk Pass and it leads up to 12,000 feet. When you ride up those switchbacks, you definitely feel the elevation.
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Cinnamon Pass is part of the iconic Alpine Loop. From here, you will enjoy a stunning view over the San Juan Mountains, especially Handies Peak, one of the Colorado 14ers. …
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Coal Bank Pass sits at an elevation of 10,610 feet and serves as a link between the towns of Silverton and Durango. Situated along the renowned Million Dollar Highway, it offers travelers spectacular vistas of rugged peaks and stunning landscapes.
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Red Mountain Pass from the north, starting in Ouray, is an iconic and incredibly scenic road bike climb on US Highway 550, often called the "Million Dollar Highway." Over about …
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The views of the San Juan range here are an all time high, and the descent on the backside of Molas pass is incredibly beautiful.
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Red Mountain Pass is nestled within the San Juan Mountains and reaches an elevation of 11,018 feet. It is surrounded with dramatic landscapes decked with red and yellow hues, showcasing …
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The climb out of the American Basin up to American Pass is steep and strenuous. Your reward is a great view over Turkey Thief Lake and the surrounding San Juan Mountains including Handies Peak, one of the 14,000ers.
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A rugged climb that takes you deep into the high country east of Silverton. The trail follows old mining routes before breaking into open tundra, where wildflowers and wide horizons …
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This section between Grouse Gulch and Handies Peak is part of the Hardrock 100 Route, a challenging mountain race that leads into some of the most stunning mountain areas in …
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Coal Bank Pass sits at an elevation of 10,610 feet and serves as a link between the towns of Silverton and Durango. Situated along the renowned Million Dollar Highway, it offers travelers spectacular vistas of rugged peaks and stunning landscapes.
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See even more epic mountain passes by checking out these guides in San Juan County:
Front RangePike And San Isabel National ForestsWhite River National ForestGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National ForestsSummit CountySawatch RangeSan Juan MountainsChaffee CountyPark CountySan Juan National ForestGunnison CountyClear Creek CountyArapaho And Roosevelt National ForestsRio Grande National ForestSaguache CountyLake CountyHinsdale CountyPitkin CountyGrand CountyMineral CountyLarimer CountyLa Plata County
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