At a Glance
- Location: Red Mountain Pass area
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Red Mountain colors, mine ruins
- Connects To: California and Hurricane Passes
- From Ouray: ~20 min south on US 550
- Season: July – September
The Red Mountains
The Red Mountains immediately south of Ouray on US 550 are among the most visually striking geological features in Colorado — peaks oxidized to vivid shades of rust, orange, and ochre from iron sulfides in the rock. Corkscrew Gulch Road climbs into this terrain from Red Mountain Pass, spiraling up through the stained geology to connect with the network of roads crossing California and Hurricane Passes.
The color palette in this area is unlike anywhere else in the San Juans — or in Colorado. Against the standard grey granite and green aspen of most Colorado mountains, the Red Mountains look genuinely alien. The effect is amplified when late-afternoon light catches the oxidized faces.
Mining History in the Red Mountains
The Red Mountains were among the most productive mining areas in the San Juans. The area around Ironton Park and the upper Corkscrew terrain is scattered with the ruins of mines, mills, and boarding houses from the 1880s and 1890s silver era. Exploring these ruins — accessible by vehicle and on foot — adds a historical dimension to a drive that's already visually extraordinary.
From The Lumberyard, the Red Mountain Pass area is about 20 minutes south on US 550. The Million Dollar Highway's passage through this area is itself spectacular — the roadway carved into cliff faces above deep canyon drops with views of the red peaks on all sides.