Chalk Creek Drive: a beautiful road to St. Elmo ghost town
Usa, north-america
25.42 km
3,053 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, so you wanna hit up St. Elmo's Ghost Town, huh? You gotta cruise down County Road 162, also known as Chalk Creek Drive in Colorado's Chaffee County. This stunner runs right through the heart of the Sawatch Range.
Think of it: you're heading east-west from Highway 285 near Nathrop. It's about 15.8 miles (25.42 km) of mostly smooth sailing on pavement, then it turns to dirt as you climb higher towards Alpine. Good news: it's plowed year-round, so no excuses!
You'll be topping out at 10,016 feet (3.053m), so expect some serious mountain vibes. It's a pretty steep climb from Highway 285 — we're talking about a 2,280-foot (695m) elevation gain over those 15.8 miles. Not crazy steep, but you'll feel it!
But the real reason to go? St. Elmo itself! Originally called Forrest City, this place is like stepping back in time. Seriously, it's one of the best-preserved ghost towns around. Bring your camera because you'll find 43 original buildings standing: a saloon, courthouse/jail, general store, and old homes. The general store is open in summer, where you can rent ATVs to explore the area! St. Elmo is also rumored to be the most haunted ghost town in Colorado, so keep an eye out for spirits!
Plan on making a bunch of stops along the way, because the views are unreal!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 25.42 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,053 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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