Ouray/Silverton, CO – While staying in Ouray, we hiked a section of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail (they overlap) from Stony Pass. Stony Pass is closest to the town of Silverton, Colorado. The trailhead includes a steep, rough 4-Wheel-Drive road up to Stony Pass. The CT/CDT trails cross Stony Pass Road (CR 4) about 300 yards past the actual pass, there are trail signs. For information about the Colorado Trail we use The Colorado Trail Databook Pack Guide (there is also a Guide Book) from the Colorado Trail Foundation and the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map book for the Colorado Trail South #1201 (Durango to Monarch) and the Colorado Trail North #1202 (Monarch to Denver).
View along the CR 4 to Stony Pass, a 4WD route
Stony Pass Road is rough, rocky, narrow and has very steep sections
Descending from Stony Pass
Another view along Stony Pass Road
From the CT/CDT crossing at Stony Pass, we opted to hike west/south, meaning when arriving from Silverton, hang a right onto the trail. This is Section 24 of the Colorado Trail. Dropping down from the road, we crossed a short snowfield and then viewed some mine remains. The trail is moderate over the next several miles, climbing and descending slowly. From the start at Stony Pass, the mountains of the Weminuche Wilderness dominate the southern view.
The CT and CDT can both be accessed at Stony Pass
Looking South into the Weminuche Wilderness
Mike crosses a short snowfield at the beginning of our hike
As you climb, there are small stream crossings which reflect the amount of snow melt. They were easily rock-hopped. When we hiked in late June, there was still snow visible in all directions, even though it was a lower snow pack year. The trail passes some talus areas where pikas scurried for cover and chirped to warn each other of our “threat”. Wildflowers were beginning to bloom and compete for attention.
wildflowers along the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail
More wildflowers
Alpine sunflowers were abundant
A Pika watches me after alerting the others of my presence
Further along the trail, views to the north and east open up. Mountains dominate the scenery. As you skirt around mounds, the views continue to open up even more and soon you can see the scenic valley of Cunningham Gulch. At about 1.9 miles there is a junction with a trail to Cunningham Gulch/Highland Mary Lakes Loop and at 3.3 miles is another junction with Highland Mary Lakes Loop/Whitehead Trail. Hike as far as you want…the Colorado Trail continues to Durango, Colorado and the Continental Divide Trail continues to Mexico. We headed back as threatening afternoon clouds began to roll in. If we were hiking further we could’ve hung out in the valley until the weather moved through. This was a great high alpine hike with top of the world views that were definitely worth the trip to Stony Pass.
Alpine lake near Stony Pass with Stony Pass Road and mountains in the background
Looking back at our start just below Stony Pass
Along the CT/CDT from Stony Pass
Mountain views and Cunningham Gulch from the trail
More mountain views
Mountains of the Weminuche Wilderness
Another view from the trail
Mountain vista
Along the CT/CDT near Stony Pass
To reach Stony Pass from Ouray, head south to Silverton. Turn left onto CO Highway 110 and follow it through Silverton. After about 1 mile, head east (turn right) on San Juan County Road 2, which is paved for the first 2 miles. After the road becomes gravel, continue another 2.1 miles and turn right (south) onto San Juan CR 4 toward Stony Pass at a signed junction. At the first fork, keep right to stay on CR 4. At the next junction follow the sign to Stony Pass which has you head left up a steep, rough, rocky 4-Wheel-Drive road to the pass, a little over 5 miles from the CR2/CR4 junction. There is parking for numerous vehicles in the pass area, but no other amenities. Information for the Stony Pass & Kite Lake route can be found in Charles A. Wells and Matt Peterson’s “Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel -Drive Trails”. While we were staying in Creede, Colorrado, we drove to Stony Pass via the Rio Grande Reservoir Road with a side trip to Kite Lake.
The route to Stony Pass is well signed
Our Jeep at Stony Pass – elevation 12,650 feet
During this trip to Ouray we traveled on 4WD roads in our Jeep including: Last Dollar Road, Porphyry Gulch, Ophir Pass Road, Alta Lakes Road, Corkscrew Gulch/Hurricane Pass/California Gulch, and Placer & Picayune Gulches. We also hiked the Ouray Perimeter Loop, Wetterhorn Basin Trail in the Uncompahgre Wilderness, Blue Lakes Trail in Mount Sneffels Wilderness, and the Highland Mary Lakes Loop in the Weminuche Wilderness. We stayed at the Ouray KOA but there are some other RV camping options in the region. During earlier trips we have driven Engineer, Cinnamon, and Imogene Passes.
During this trip to SW Colorado, we also hiked on the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail at:
- Molas Pass on the Colorado Trail from Durango
- Snow Mesa on the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail from Creede
- Spring Creek Pass west to Jarosa Mesa on Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail from Creede
- Elwood Pass on the Continental Divide Trail from Pagosa Springs
- Wolf Creek Pass on the Continental Divide Trail from Pagosa Springs
