- Imogene Pass
Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Imogene Pass
Photo = none
Caption = none
Elevation = 3997 m./13,114 ft.
Location =Colorado , USA
Range =San Juan Mountains
Coordinates = coord|37|55|56|N|107|44|10|W|type:pass
Topographic
Traversed by = Unpaved roadImogene Pass (el. 3997 m./13,114 ft.) is a high
mountain pass in theSan Juan Mountains in the southwest part of the US state ofColorado .It crosses a ridge connecting
Ouray, Colorado withTelluride, Colorado , and is the highest mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains, and the second highest vehicular mountain crossing inColorado . The road is only accessible byfour wheel drive vehicles, and is not for the novice driver. Do not attempt Imogene Pass with a passenger car; it will get stuck on rocks and/or stream crossings.From Ouray, the road turns off the road to
Yankee Boy Basin above theCamp Bird Mine near theghost town of Sneffels southwest of Ouray, and climbs through Imogene Basin to the summit.From Telluride, the road takes off north of downtown and climbs passed the
ghost town of Tomboy through Savage Basin to the summit.The first long distance
alternating current power line was constructed over Imogene Pass to carry power from the Telluride area to theCamp Bird Mine ."
Fort Peabody " was constructed in 1904 by a local unit of theColorado National Guard on top of the pass to prevent union miners from crossing during a labor strike.An annual foot race is held over the pass between Ouray and Telluride on the first Saturday following
Labor Day . This gruelling race starts at around 7800 ft (2377 m), is 17 miles (27.3 km) in length, and crests on the pass at 13,114 ft (3997 m), a change in elevation of just over a mile.External links
* [http://www.martres.com/isj_imogene.jpgA photo of the pass]
* [http://www.treknow.com/colorado/backroads/southwest/imogene_pass.htm A map of the area]
* [http://www.topozone.com/viewmaps.asp?method=place&placename=Imogene+Pass&statefips=8 USGS TopoZone listing]
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