Trail Overview
Stony Pass is an exceptional high-mountain route for moderate offroaders seeking to traverse the spectacular San Juan Mountains from Silverton to Highway 149 near the Rio Grande Reservoir. Spanning over 38 miles and climbing to a maximum elevation of 12,592 feet, this four-wheel-drive trail offers breathtaking alpine scenery, including vibrant, late-season wildflowers and historic mining remnants. The trek begins with a steady climb from Silverton up the western slopes, where travelers can spot the surviving towers and buckets of the historic Buffalo Boy aerial tramway. This section requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or capable SxSs to navigate loose rocks, ruts, and short, steep grades, with a technical rating of 4 due to potential obstacles up to 18 inches. Reaching the summit at the Continental Divide provides expansive vistas before descending the eastern side, where the headwaters of the Rio Grande River originate as small streams trickling alongside the trail.
Beyond the pass, the route winds through high-country grazing lands where sheep frequently roam during the summer months. The descent towards Kite Lake and onward to the Rio Grande Reservoir spans about 10 miles of more challenging and engaging terrain, featuring uneven dirt surfaces, occasional mud holes, and water crossings that can reach up to a foot deep. Side trips like the spur to Kite Lake or the Buffalo Boy trail offer excellent opportunities to explore deeper into the alpine basin and inspect the upper tramway terminal. As the trail approaches the reservoir, the path transitions into a well-graded road leading to Highway 149, making it accessible for a wide variety of rigs on the eastern terminus. Planning this trip for late summer ensures the route is free of snow pack while maximizing the spectacular floral displays unique to this high-altitude corridor.
Difficulty
This is an uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks, sand, erosion, and washes. Potential water crossings are up to a foot deep, and there are mud holes and obstacles up to 18 inches, including ledges and short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass.
History
The trail features remnants of the Buffalo Boy aerial tramway, complete with surviving towers and several tram buckets still hanging on the cables.
Access Description
A high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or SxS is required to navigate the trail's loose rocks, ruts, and water crossings up to 12 inches deep. The high-altitude route reaches 12,592 feet and is typically impassable due to snow until late summer.
