Slumgullion Pass to Spring Creek Pass — San Juan Skyway High Country Connector
Two passes, one living landslide, zero crowds.
Highway 149 is paved, but the old wagon track that parallels and crosses it between Slumgullion Pass and Spring Creek Pass is anything but. This connector climbs out of the Lake Fork Valley just south of Lake San Cristobal — itself formed by the ancient Slumgullion earthflow, one of the largest active landslides in North America — and stitches together a series of open-meadow bench roads and aspen corridors before cresting into the tundra at Spring Creek Pass, elevation 10,901 feet. The views west into the Rio Grande headwaters are unobstructed for miles. Ruts from seasonal elk hunters and early prospectors are still etched into the hillsides.
This route is accessible to most stock 4WDs with high clearance; it’s not technical in the hard-rock sense but the two-track shelf sections above treeline get slick and soft after afternoon thunderstorms, which roll through almost daily in July and August. Best season is late June through September. No permits. Fuel and provisions in Lake City, 12 miles north. Dispersed camping is wide open throughout the Rio Grande National Forest sections. For the mileage and elevation, it punches well above its weight — this is what Colorado backcountry driving was before the crowds found it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | Half day-1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10901 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended) |
| Nearest town | Lake City, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Rio Grande National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without any mods?
Yes. A stock mid-size truck or SUV with high clearance and 4WD handles this route fine under normal summer conditions. The surface is graded dirt and gravel — no rock crawling, no serious obstacles — but 4WD helps on loose sections and if afternoon storms roll through and soften the road.
When does this route actually open after winter, and is it passable in late spring?
June through September is the reliable window. Snow can linger on the high sections into early June, and US-149 over Slumgullion Pass itself can see closures or icy conditions outside that range. Don't bet on May access without checking current road conditions with Rio Grande National Forest.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive this route?
No permit required and no fee to drive the route. It runs through Rio Grande National Forest on public land. If you camp dispersed along the way, follow Leave No Trace and standard National Forest rules — no developed campground fee unless you use one.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
Nothing on this route is technically brutal, but the gravel shelf roads with exposure near the passes deserve respect — especially westbound where drop-offs are on your driver's side. The real hazard is weather: afternoon thunderstorms at 10,000+ feet can turn graded gravel greasy fast and visibility drops hard. Don't push it if storms are building.
Is there any water or gas between Lake City and Spring Creek Pass, and how far is the nearest fuel?
There is zero cell service on this entire route, no services, and no gas between the two passes. Tank up in Lake City before you leave — it's the last reliable fuel stop. Water crossings exist on trail but treat anything you pull from them; carry your own supply for the day.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.