Colorado's Dallas Divide: A Gateway To Majestic Peaks And Plateau

Colorado's Western Slope is home to the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains. These scenic peaks can be seen from as far away as Grand Junction, but to reach them you will need to bridge the gap between the Colorado Plateau and the San Juans known as the Dallas Divide.

Keep reading to check out ten cool facts you may not have known about the "Dallas Divide," and a trip to Telluride, CO via the historic "Last Dollar" road in San Miguel County.

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Where is Colorado's 'Dallas Divide'?

Colorado's Dallas Divide separates San Miguel and Ouray Counties while acting as the saddle connecting Colorado's Uncompahgre Plateau to the San Juan Mountains. The divide is found around 10 miles to the North of prominent San Juan peaks such as Mount Sneffels and Dallas Peak. The divide can be reached by taking Colorado 62 West from Ridgway.

The Roads To Telluride, Colorado

Coloradans have been enjoying the Dallas Divide since the 1980s with the creation of the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway. The portion of the San Juan Skyway byway that showcases the Dallas Divide begins in Ridgway, running about 23 miles to the top of the divide at 8,983 feet of elevation near Placerville, Colorado. The San Juan Skyway isn't the only way to cross the divide. You can still follow the old supply trail known as the "Last Dollar" road.

How Challenging is Colorado's 'Last Dollar' Road?

Colorado's Dallas Divide is a mountain pass you can cross via the San Juan Skyway or by driving the "Last Dollar" road to the top of the divide near the Telluride Airport. While Last Dollar Road is nearly impassible after heavy rains, it is otherwise rated as a beginner to intermediate off-road mountain pass. It's a beautiful route to see spring wildflowers, summer wildlife, and beautiful fall colors. We'll share a map of Last Dollar Road in the gallery below.

The road passed through private land back in the day, meaning miners seeking a fortune in the San Juans often had to give up their last dollar to pay the toll to reach the mining community of Telluride.

10 Facts You May Not Know About Colorado's Dallas Divide

Learn more about the epic saddle between the Colorado Plateau and the San Juan Mountains known as the Dallas Divide. This mountain pass is home to Colorado's "Last Dollar Road," an awesome adventure between Ridgway and Telluride with incredible views.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

LOOK: 12 Facts You May Not Know About Colorado’s San Miguel River

Colorado's San Miguel River is one of the best places to enjoy floating, fishing, and hiking on the Western Slope from July to September. Beginning high in the San Juan Mountains south of Telluride, the San Miguel River travels along the Uncompaghre Plateau into Montrose County, where it joins with the Dolores River.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

MORE: Thirteen Cool Facts About Colorado’s Uncompahgre River

Western Colorado is home to the Colorado River, the Gunnison River, and the Uncompahgre River. As the smallest of the three, most people aren't as familiar with this important waterway serving Ridgway, Montrose, and Delta. Keep going to learn thirteen cool facts about the Uncompahgre River in western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams