Guides/Off-road trails/Colorado
Off-road trail27 midifficulty: difficult

Stony Pass

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Stony Pass — off-road trail near Silverton, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Robert Thigpen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
27mi
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD with off-road tires. The narrow sections and rocky climbs are unforgiving of stock vehicles.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the route
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Stony Pass is a 27-mile 4WD route in southwestern Colorado's San Juan Mountains, climbing to a 12,492-foot pass on the Continental Divide between Silverton and the Rio Grande Reservoir near Creede. The pass crosses one of Colorado's most-photographed views of the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Originally opened in 1872 to connect Silverton's mining operations with the Front Range, the pass became less important after the railroad reached Silverton in 1882. The Forest Service acquired the road in the 1950s and maintains it for recreational use.

The Continental Divide Trail crosses the pass, drawing both 4WD enthusiasts and through-hikers. High-clearance 4WD is required for the rocky climbs and narrow sections. The pass typically opens in May or June and closes again with fall snow in October.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Snow closure. October through June most years.
  • High elevation. Summit at 12,492 feet. Acute mountain sickness possible.
  • Lightning. Continental Divide ridge attracts thunderstorms.
  • Tire damage. Rocky surface punctures sidewalls.
  • No cell coverage.
  • Wilderness boundaries. Stay on the road; the Weminuche borders the eastern descent.
  • Mining hazards. Open shafts and unstable structures.

Location

27 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 37.838, -107.532

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSilverton, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
ClosedOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location37.838, -107.532

Getting there

Directions

Western access (Silverton). From Silverton on US-550, drive east on Greene Street, which becomes County Road 2 (Cunningham Gulch Road). The road climbs east toward Stony Pass.

Eastern access (Creede). From Creede on State Route 149, drive west on Forest Service Road 520 along the Rio Grande Reservoir. The pass road branches west.

Approximate pass summit coordinates: 37.838° N, -107.532° W.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The pass crosses San Juan and Hinsdale counties on the Continental Divide. Silverton anchors the western access; the Rio Grande Reservoir near Creede anchors the eastern. The pass connects the Animas River drainage (Pacific watershed) to the Rio Grande drainage (Atlantic via the Gulf of Mexico). The eastern descent passes through the Weminuche Wilderness boundary area, with several wilderness trailheads accessible from the road.

Trail Overview

From Silverton, drive east on County Road 2 toward Cunningham Gulch. The road climbs steadily through old mining country, with the Pride of the West Mine and other ruins visible from the route. Past timberline, the road steepens and narrows for the climb to the 12,492-foot summit. The summit itself sits in a wide saddle with panoramic views of the Continental Divide and the Rio Grande headwaters.

The eastern descent drops through alpine meadows past the Lost Trail Creek drainage, exiting at the Rio Grande Reservoir on Forest Service Road 520. From there County Road 18 runs east to Creede.

Driving the full pass takes 4 to 6 hours one-way. Most travelers spend a night camping along the route or in Creede before returning.

Points of Interest

  • The summit. 12,492 feet, on the Continental Divide.
  • Headwaters of the Rio Grande. Visible from the eastern descent.
  • Continental Divide Trail crossing. Hikers cross the road at the summit.
  • Pride of the West Mine. Historic mining operation visible from the route.
  • Cunningham Gulch. Mining-era settlement and active reclamation site.
  • Rio Grande Reservoir. Eastern terminus area with developed camping.
  • Weminuche Wilderness boundary. Adjacent to the eastern descent. Foot and horse access only.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed along the route on Forest Service land with the standard 14-day stay limit. The Rio Grande Reservoir has multiple developed Forest Service campgrounds with fees. South Mineral Campground near Silverton offers another developed option.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Travel July through September. Snow closes the route most of the year.
  • Carry recovery gear, a full-size spare, and a plug kit.
  • Cell coverage is absent.
  • Lightning hits the summit regularly. Plan to be off the alpine ridge by afternoon.
  • Yield to uphill traffic on narrow sections.
  • Watch for Continental Divide Trail through-hikers at the summit.
  • Stay on the road. Off-road driving in the alpine is illegal.
  • Acclimate to altitude before driving.
  • Lake Creede has a few small businesses and limited fuel; major resupply is in Creede or Silverton.
  • Contact the San Juan National Forest at 970-884-2512 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Stony Pass?
Stony Pass is rated difficult. The route runs 27 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Stony Pass?
High-clearance 4WD with off-road tires. The narrow sections and rocky climbs are unforgiving of stock vehicles.
When is the best time to visit Stony Pass?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Stony Pass?
None on the route