STONEY PASS (FOREST SERVICE ROAD 520) got it's name because of its steep rocky terrain. it is a scenic 4-wheel drive trail in the san juan mountains that starts at howardsville, 9,200' and reaches 12,588' at the pass. The road is steep and narrow as it climbs above cunningham gulch. as the route approaches the summit, it levels into an alpine valley with beautiful wildflowers in the summer. This route was initially built as a wagon road in 1872 and was used as a stage route and major supply line for the working mines in the area. The road was classified as a state highway in the early 1900's, was then abandoned and then reopened in the 1950's by the forest service as a 4-wheel drive recreational route.
