- Created: August 5, 2023 8:39 pm
- Updated: November 11, 2023 9:09 pm
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 36 miles
- Time 49 min
- Speed 45 mph
- Min altitude 8698 ft
- Peak 11562 ft
- Climb 4137 ft
- Descent 3878 ft
Slumgullion Pass is a fantastic section of CO 149 that runs from Lake City through several passes and ends up down in Creede, CO. The reason CO 149 has been broken into two sections is the section leading to Lake City from Route 50 is relatively easy, the section which goes over Slumgullion Pass is more technical and should be reserved for Intermediate riders and up. It is fantastic fun with great pavement, boasting all types of linked turns in various sequences. Sweepers, hairpins, chicanes and more make this a great ride.
As you start getting into lower elevations towards Creede things to get a little more tame, but nonetheless still a great ride. There are countless dirt roads to pull off on during this ride, as well as good scenic overlooks. While not your typical high mountain pass with the massive mountains right in your view it still boasts some great picture worthy spots!
1. Slumgullion Pass
Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,530 ft (3,514 m)) is a mountain pass in southwestern Colorado traversed by State Highway 149 east of Lake City. The north side has the steepest grade of any continuously paved road in Colorado (9%), but the pass does not close often in winter because snowplows clear the route regularly during this season. It has a few switchbacks and tight spots, but other than that, most travelers will find it an easy, scenic route.
Technically speaking, the current highway does not traverse the true Slumgullion Pass, which lies just off the highway on the ridge between Cebolla Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, at an elevation of about 11,300 ft (3,400 m). As a result of a realignment several decades ago (evident by comparing USGS topographic maps of different vintages), the road now takes a shorter but somewhat higher route as it travels east and south from this spot toward Spring Creek Pass. The road sign at the high point refers to Slumgullion Summit rather than Slumgullion Pass in order to reflect this. This is analogous to the usage of the terms Donner Summit and Cajon Summit in California. However, in all three cases, the more familiar but slightly inaccurate name is routinely used.
Source: Wikipedia
Slumgullion Pass is a fantastic section of CO 149 that runs from Lake City through several passes and ends up down in Creede, CO. The reason CO 149 has been broken into two sections is the section leading to Lake City from Route 50 is relatively easy, the section which goes over Slumgullion Pass is more technical and should be reserved for Intermediate riders and up. It is fantastic fun with great pavement, boasting all types of linked turns in various sequences. Sweepers, hairpins, chicanes and more make this a great ride.
As you start getting into lower elevations towards Creede things to get a little more tame, but nonetheless still a great ride. There are countless dirt roads to pull off on during this ride, as well as good scenic overlooks. While not your typical high mountain pass with the massive mountains right in your view it still boasts some great picture worthy spots!
