Is the road to Tomichi Pass unpaved?
Usa, north-america
1.6 km
3,657 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Tomichi Pass! This beast of a mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 11,998 feet in Chaffee County, Colorado. Get ready for an *unpaved* adventure on Forest Road 888, stretching from Brittle Silver Basin to the old mining town of Whitepine.
Heads up, this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking steep, narrow shelf roads that'll test your nerves (especially if you're afraid of heights!). You'll want a high-clearance SUV with low-range gearing. Built way back in the 1870s, this historic route through the Gunnison National Forest is typically snowed in from late October to late June/early July.
The climb is real. From Forest Service Road 839, it's just under a mile with a seriously steep 9.68% average gradient. The trickiest part? The *narrowness* of the trail. Passing other vehicles is a nightmare on the north side, and you might be doing some serious reversing. Keep an eye out for the dodgy bridge – it’s definitely seen better days! The southern approach is your standard forest road, but beware of rockslides.
And the views? Totally worth it! You’ll be treated to incredible vistas of Hancock Pass and Middle Quartz Creek. The summit is super close to another fork in the road, so if you want to tack on a short side trip, you totally can. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 1.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,657 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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