Grab your 4x4, pray to your god and buckle up! Heres a list of Some Dangerous Colorado Mountain Passes.
We all love our mountains, but sometimes getting up to see the sights is more treacherous than hiking them! Just kidding, but these Colorado mountain passes are definitely extremely dangerous!
Mount Evans Byway Elevation: 14,160 - Asphalt Noted as the highest paved road in North America, the views from this spectacular drive are unprecedented. Drive from 8,700 ft. at Idaho Springs past three life zones and high above tree line. When it’s 90 degrees in Denver, it can be 40 at the top of Mount Evans. With limited guardrails there is a section around the last 10 or so miles of the pass where you see straight down into the rocks and life below - it’s pretty heart stopping to be honest. The last 5 miles have grades of 2-5%. Take the adventure down and see for yourself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi3wI1gwUCw Video via tgosob Argentine Pass Elevation: 13,207 - Gravel Grab your lifted jeep and head up Argentine Pass. Definitely not for the inexperienced offroader, this tree lined pass is beautiful, yet very dangerous. Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. The road over the pass is a tough 4x4 trail, rocky at the beginning and narrow at the top. Snow can block the pass well into the summer months. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP3AiHl59Po Video via Steven L. Judson Million Dollar Highway Elevation: 11,018 - Asphalt Part of the San Juan Skyway, this is notably one of the most dangerous Colorado mountain passes. If you’ve been to western Colorado you understand the extremity of the jagged and beautiful San Juan’s - now imagine sticking a road on one of those mountain sides! The highway has some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine, stretching about 25 miles. If you’re driving you’ll want to keep your eyes on the road, though. The pass has no guardrails, minimal shoulders, and twists and turns like any other pass. If you’re worried about your own safety check out this video of the pass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v68B0-vdZFE Video Via: Alan Stark Black Bear Road Elevation: 11,018 ft - Gravel Black Bear Road is an extremely dangerous dirt track, considered on the of highest mountain passes in Colorado. As the pass ends the road becomes a collection of infamous switchbacks leading into Telluride. The road passes Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s highest waterfall, which makes for an amazing view. The road is only open a few months a year due to conditions, from late summer to early fall. Obviously, do not attempt this pass during severe weather conditions. Avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides can occur at any time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTT9qy-qFnY Video Via: Jeep Peep Our beautiful mountains are definitely something to experience. BUT extremely important to realize some of these passes, especially the non-paved ones, take a considerable amount of skill and confidence to navigate so please be careful if you're interested in exploring any of these passes!