Slumgullion Pass

Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,530 ft (3,510 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%),[2] 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.

Slumgullion Pass
The summit of Slumgullion Pass, looking west.
Elevation11,530 ft (3,514 m)[1]
Traversed by SH 149
LocationHinsdale County, Colorado
RangeSan Juan Mountains
Coordinates37°59′08″N 107°13′20″W[1]
Topo mapUSGS Slumgullion Pass
Colorado

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).[3] 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.

Slumgullion Slide

Slumgullion Pass is named for the nearby Slumgullion Earthflow, a gigantic landslide whose yellowish soil reminded early settlers and miners of slumgullion stew.

The Slumgullion Slide began about 700 years ago when weak volcanic tuff and breccia on the southern flank of Mesa Seco slumped several miles down the steep mountainside. Approximately 300 years ago, a second earthflow started from the top of the mountain and is still active, moving as much as twenty feet (six meters) per year. Trees growing on the newer slide are tipped at odd angles.

The first flow was so large and cataclysmic that it blocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and created Lake San Cristobal, Colorado's second largest natural lake.

See also
  • Colorado mountain passes

References
  1. "Slumgullion Pass". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  2. McKee, Spencer (2017-04-21). "The 10 Steepest Mountain Passes in Colorado". OutThere Colorado. 1. Slumgullion Pass – 9.4% grade at 11,361 feet.
  3. "Slumgullion Pass, Colorado, USGS 7.5 minute topographic map via TopoQuest". USGS. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
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