The Wild Road to Blowout Pass in Colorado

Blowout Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,590 m (11,779 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit is brutally steep, hitting about 12% in gradient.

Blowout Pass

Where is Blowout Pass?

The pass is located in the south-central part of Colorado, within the Rio Grande National Forest. The summit lies just above the timberline, between Sheep Mountain and Marble Mountain.

How Long is Blowout Pass?

The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s a fairly easy drive, with only a few rough spots. Starting from Jasper, the road to the summit is 6.6 km (4.10 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 782 m, and the average gradient is 11.84%.

Is the Road to Blowout Pass Open in Winter?

Set high in the eastern San Juan Mountains, the road is usually impassable in the winter. The drive provides beautiful views of the surrounding scenery. It is a quiet drive with little traffic.

 

 

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