Top 5 Mountain Passes in La Plata County

Within La Plata County, Kennebec Pass is a premier destination, offering panoramic views and access to the Colorado Trail. Easily accessible from La Plata County, Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass (though technically in adjacent San Juan County) are also highly popular, known for their scenic drives along the Million Dollar Highway and extensive trail systems.

The mountain passes in and around La Plata County offer diverse outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives. For example, Kennebec Pass is a popular access point for the Colorado Trail. Coal Bank Pass features an extensive trail system for hiking and mountain biking, with some trails leading to picturesque spots like Crater Lake. Molas Pass is excellent for high-country trail access, fishing, and camping. For more detailed routes, explore the hiking and cycling guides for La Plata County.

Yes, there are options suitable for families. The View of the La Plata Mountains from CR 250 is a family-friendly viewpoint. Additionally, areas around Kennebec Pass offer camping opportunities, and the easy to moderate 1.5-mile round trip trail to Taylor Lake is great for families, especially during wildflower season. Molas Pass also has nearby lakes like Little Molas Lake and Big Molas Lake, which provide campsites and recreational activities.

The best time to visit depends on your desired activities. For hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives, the warmer months from late spring to early fall (June to September) are ideal. The wildflower bloom in June and July around Kennebec Pass is particularly stunning. In winter, passes like Kennebec and Molas become impassable by car but are popular for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and snowmobiling.

You can expect breathtaking natural features and panoramic viewpoints. Kennebec Pass offers expansive views of the La Plata Mountains and La Plata Canyon, with rugged mountains, snowmelt waterfalls, and verdant canyons. Coal Bank Pass provides sweeping views of the Animas Valley, Purgatory Resort, and Engineer Mountain. Molas Pass offers scenic overlooks of surrounding mountains and valleys, including Little Molas Lake and Big Molas Lake.

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, Diorite Peak, one of the most central mountains in the La Platas, offers a steep, mainly class 1 trail with incredible views of the entire range. While not a pass, Cumberland Mountain Summit is another challenging peak with remote trailheads, offering solitude and views through the heart of La Plata Canyon. For off-roading, the last 2.1 miles to the summit of Kennebec Pass are rugged and require a 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance.

The region around these passes has a rich mining history. The route to Kennebec Pass via La Plata Canyon takes visitors past old mining camps like La Plata City, where remnants of mining equipment are still visible. The Million Dollar Highway, which includes Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass, is renowned for its historical significance in connecting mining towns like Silverton.

Accessibility varies by pass. Kennebec Pass is accessible via County Road 124 from Hesperus; the first 4.6 miles are paved, but the road transitions to gravel and then a rugged dirt and rock road, with the last 2.1 miles requiring a 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass are part of US Highway 550 (the Million Dollar Highway), which is a paved, albeit challenging, scenic drive.

Yes, camping is available. La Plata Canyon, near Kennebec Pass, offers several campgrounds, including Kroeger Campground and La Plata City Campground, with dispersed camping also permitted in public areas. Molas Pass also has established campsites near Little Molas Lake and Big Molas Lake, providing excellent options for overnight stays.

Near Kennebec Pass, a popular easy to moderate 1.5-mile round trip trail leads to Taylor Lake. More challenging trails, like Sharkstooth Pass, can also be accessed from Taylor Lake. Coal Bank Pass is part of a complex trail system, with the Engineer Mountain Trailhead easily accessible from the summit. Molas Pass offers high-country trail access, and the Colorado Trail crosses Highway 550 near its summit. You can find more hiking options in the Hiking in La Plata County guide.

The mountain passes in and around La Plata County are at high elevations. Kennebec Pass is at 11,683 feet. Molas Pass reaches 10,910 feet, and Coal Bank Pass sits at 10,610 feet. These high elevations contribute to the spectacular views and challenging terrain.

Absolutely. Mountain biking is a popular activity. Kennebec Pass is a popular access point for mountain biking on the Colorado Trail. Coal Bank Pass is part of an extensive trail system with many options suitable for mountain biking. Molas Pass also offers high-country trail access for mountain bikers. For more routes, check out the Cycling in La Plata County guide.