Lizard Head Pass
The sign at the top of the pass
Elevation10,222 ft (3,116 m)[1]
Traversed byState Highway 145
LocationDolores / San Miguel counties, Colorado, United States
RangeSan Juan Mountains
Coordinates37°48.7′N 107°54.5′W / 37.8117°N 107.9083°W / 37.8117; -107.9083
Topo mapOphir

Lizard Head Pass, elevation 10,222 feet (3,116 m), is a mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, on the border between Dolores and San Miguel counties.

It is also on the divide between the watersheds of the Dolores River and San Miguel River. The pass lies in the saddle between Lizard Head and Sheep Mountain.

History

The pass is named for a prominent nearby peak that is said to look like the head of a lizard, the 12,995 ft (3,961 m) spire of Lizard Head. The pass is currently traversed by State Highway 145, about 12 miles south of the Telluride turnoff.

It was also used by the historic Rio Grande Southern Railroad until 1952. Although the grades on both sides of the pass are mild for automobile traffic, this was a significant obstacle for the railroad, and this was a factor leading to the use of the Galloping Goose railcars.

Climate

Climate data for Lizard Head Pass, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals: 10200ft (3109m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 33.9
(1.1)
35.2
(1.8)
41.6
(5.3)
46.3
(7.9)
54.4
(12.4)
64.5
(18.1)
68.6
(20.3)
66.1
(18.9)
60.6
(15.9)
51.1
(10.6)
41.0
(5.0)
33.3
(0.7)
49.7
(9.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 20.4
(−6.4)
21.3
(−5.9)
27.2
(−2.7)
32.8
(0.4)
40.7
(4.8)
49.0
(9.4)
54.1
(12.3)
52.3
(11.3)
46.6
(8.1)
37.6
(3.1)
27.7
(−2.4)
20.1
(−6.6)
35.8
(2.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 6.9
(−13.9)
7.4
(−13.7)
12.7
(−10.7)
19.3
(−7.1)
26.9
(−2.8)
33.4
(0.8)
39.6
(4.2)
38.5
(3.6)
32.6
(0.3)
24.3
(−4.3)
14.3
(−9.8)
6.9
(−13.9)
21.9
(−5.6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.62
(67)
2.40
(61)
2.50
(64)
2.57
(65)
2.28
(58)
0.93
(24)
2.81
(71)
2.87
(73)
2.58
(66)
2.43
(62)
2.41
(61)
2.53
(64)
28.93
(736)
Source 1: XMACIS2[2]
Source 2: NOAA (Precipitation)[3]

See also

  • Mountain passes of Colorado
  • San Juan Mountains (Colorado)

References

  1. "Lizard Head Pass". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  3. "Lizard Head Pass, Colorado 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved November 3, 2023.

37°48.7′N 107°54.5′W / 37.8117°N 107.9083°W / 37.8117; -107.9083


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