Entry No. 31 — the Durango file — filed under: ruins

Fort Peabody Ruins (Imogene Pass)

At 13,365 feet on the Ouray–San Miguel county line, a cluster of low stone walls is all that remains of Fort Peabody — a Colorado National Guard sentry post erected in early 1904 to keep union miners from crossing into Telluride during one of the bloodiest labor conflicts in American history. Governor James Peabody had declared martial law, and two or three guardsmen manned this windswept outpost from February through June 1904, connected to town only by a telephone wire. A stone flag mount once cradled a rapid-fire Colt machine gun. The National Register of Historic Places calls it "probably the only remaining structure exclusively representative of Colorado's labor troubles in 1903–04." Partially stabilized in 2010, the ruins sit just southeast of the pass summit with sweeping views of the San Juan peaks in every direction.

The move: Drive the high-clearance Tomboy Road from Telluride together, stop at the ghost ruins of Tomboy Mine en route, then stand inside the stone walls of Fort Peabody at 13,365 feet and talk about which side of the 1904 strike you would have been on.

📍 Before you go The pass is typically open mid-July through early October — snow closes it the rest of the year. A true high-clearance 4WD with low-range gearing is required; the Telluride side via Tomboy Road is steep and rocky. The road passes through the privately-owned Tomboy Townsite — stay on the main track. Durango to Telluride is roughly 1.5 hours each way, so budget a full day. Cell service is nonexistent near the summit. No fees or reservations required.

• 📍 Durango
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Imogene Pass summit ridge, Uncompahgre National Forest — accessed via Tomboy Road (Oak St) from Telluride (approx. 6.9 miles one-way) or from Ouray via the northern approach; GPS near 37.9771° N, 107.6902° W

Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-11