The three unpaved passes identified herein are not widely known, at least not as passes. Buzzard-Muddy Divide is commonly referred to as "The Muddy" or some variation of "muddy" but with no mention of a pass or divide. Last Dollar Pass is simply referred to as "Last Dollar Road." I believe Lone Cone Pass is called the "Lone Cone Road," with no mention of a pass. Maps I've seen that show these roads do not mention a pass or divide. Nevertheless, they can be found in comprehensive lists of Colorado passes. I've ridden these roads often and it's time I counted them among the good 2WD unpaved passes I list for Western Colorado. Unfortunately, since these were rather routine rides for me I have few pictures. At least I can describe more or less where they are. I travel them often without a map but my memory is too faulty for me to describe the route accurately enough for someone to find if they have never been there. If you travel one of these roads for the first time, you will need a map that shows the road.

Buzzard-Muddy Divide, elevation 9,031 feet. This road crosses the uneven terrain of the northeast end of 40 mile-long Grand Mesa, largest plateau in the world. From the north, the road starts from roughly midway on what I've always known as the "Silt Cutoff" between Silt and Collbran. One leaves that road for a short way to a road marked "Buzzard Divide" or "Buzzard-Muddy Divide." I believe it also indicates you can get to CO133. This road climbs slowly from sage and scrub oak through open meadows and valleys to pines and aspens, mostly cattle country. After the summit, you soon have a picturesque view of high mountains to the west before descending down into a valley with ranches and a few homes. The road ends at the western base of McClure Pass on CO133. Despite the "muddy" name, most of this road is now well-graveled. The road though the valley on the southeast end, as of fall, 2007, seems to be surfaced with something resembling asphault. Most of the unpaved road is about 1 1/2 lanes wide. Motorcyclists should expect oncoming traffic in blind corners to be in the middle of the road or even on the wrong side. The entire route is suitable to passenger cars when dry. I remember the road as about 35 miles in length but I wouldn't swear to it. I think it's very pretty which is why I've ridden or driven it several times.

Last Dollar Pass, elevation 10,633 feet. This is probably the best known of these roads but as "Last Dollar Road" rather than a pass. From the north end, marked by a sign just west of the summit of Dallas Divide on CO62, a graveled road crosses the mountains to Sawpit. A few miles in on this road—I'm thinking 5 miles but I could be way off—Last Dollar Road is marked with a sign but easily missed because you leave the good gravel road for a lesser road. If you follow this lesser road you will cross the mountains and come out at the Telluride airport. This is probably the roughest of the 15 easy passes I list. It's narrow, dirt in part, steep, loose rocks in a couple places. I've ridden it on a DL650 V-Strom but coming up from the Telluride side could require experience and confidence, depending on condition. Like most such roads, I assume the condition can vary considerably due to recent storms. The 2WD cars you see on this road are mostly rental cars if that tells you anything. It's pretty, an interesting way to get to Telluride. Seems like it would be higher than 10,633 feet.

Lone Cone Pass, elevation 11,029 feet. Named after the most prominent peak nearby, this road is well known to people who travel routinely between Norwood and Dolores when the snow is off. Assuming a Norwood beginning, one goes east on CO145 a couple miles to a paved road south. It's marked and I believe the sign says "Lone Cone Road" but perhaps I imagined that. It's all good 2wd road to the town of Dolores, about 60 miles. After a few miles the pavement gives way to gravel for 35 miles or so, then is paved on to Dolores. Lone Cone Pass is on the unpaved portion. About midway, you pass Groundhog Reservoir. There are many sideroads on this route but I had no trouble following the main road without a map first time through. A couple side roads of note in the graveled section: one marked side road takes you past Dunton, a private resort town. Initially, it's a lesser road but I've ridden it on a DL650 V-Strom. Another marked side road, a good gravel road, takes you westward to Disapointment Valley. As you near the south end of Lone Cone Road, you are in a National Forest, the San Juan National Forest I presume. There are a couple turns onto other paved roads but as I recall the way to Dolores is well marked. Finally, you angle down the canyon wall, coming out on 10th or 11th street as I recall and interesecting CO145. The road is easy to find in Dolores as you can see it from CO145 as it climbs up out of the canyon on the west side. There is a rumor the Lone Cone Road will all be paved soon.