
Road trip guide: Conquering Crown Point Road in CO
Usa, north-america
29.29 km
3,243 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're looking for an epic Colorado adventure? Let me tell you about Crown Point Road up in Larimer County! Tucked away in the Comanche Peak Wilderness within the Roosevelt National Forest, this mountain drive is seriously stunning.
Now, fair warning, this isn't a paved paradise. Expect mostly dirt and some gravel stretches along the way. The good news is, it's generally wide. Keep your eyes peeled, because nearby, you can even find remnants of a WWII B-17 crash from way back in '43!
You'll climb all the way up to 10,639 feet, so be ready for those breathtaking views. The whole 18.2-mile stretch from Pingree Park Road (County Road 63E) takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to drive without stops, and it ends at a parking lot that kicks off the Zimmerman Trail. Heads up though, this road is usually snowed in from late October until late June or early July, so plan your trip accordingly!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 29.29 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,243 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Cascade Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Cascade Lake in Wyoming! This alpine beauty sits way up high in Carbon County, nestled within the Medicine Bow National Forest, not too far from Laramie and the Colorado border. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. The road? Let's just say it's "unimproved." Think bumpy, gravelly, and definitely not for your low-rider. You'll want a high-clearance, narrow, four-wheel drive beast to tackle this one. But trust me, the views are worth it! The road snakes its way through breathtaking meadows and opens up access to a ton of awesome hiking and camping spots in the area. Just be prepared for about of slow-and-steady driving. Heads up: this road is typically impassable during the winter months. Even in the warmer seasons, Wyoming weather can be totally unpredictable, so keep an eye on the forecast before you go. If you're looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, Cascade Lake is calling your name!
moderateConquering Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass (Squaw Pass) in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass in Colorado (formerly Squaw Pass)! This stunner sits way up high at almost 9,800 feet in the Rockies, right in the Arapaho National Forest between Evergreen and Idaho Springs. The road, also called Mestaa’Ėhehe Road or Highway 103, winds for about 31 miles and is paved the whole way. Just a heads up, it gets seriously steep in places, hitting an 8% grade – so get ready for some climbing! The road was first built in 1923 and paved in 1956. The pass was renamed in 2021 after Mestaa’ėhehe, or Owl Woman, a Cheyenne translator from the 1800s. Because it’s so high up, expect some potential closures in the winter due to snow. But if you catch it right, the views are absolutely incredible! And it's super close to Denver, making it an easy escape from the city.
easyWhere is Baker Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Baker Lake Road (aka FS Road 11) up in Washington's Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest! This beauty winds along the western edge of the stunning Baker Lake, a sub-alpine gem teeming with wildlife like black bears, deer, and eagles – keep your eyes peeled! You'll find the turnoff from State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway), west of Concrete. From there, it's about 26 miles to the lake. The good news is that most of the way is paved (20 miles), but the last 6 miles are gravel, so be ready for a little bumpiness. Heads up, this road is usually a no-go during the heart of winter – those North Cascades winters are serious business! But when it's open, the views are absolutely worth it. Get ready for some serious Pacific Northwest scenery!
hardAn epic enthralling road to Bolan Peak in OR
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just discovered this incredible spot in Oregon's Josephine County called Bolan Peak. We're talking Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest vibes, reaching a lofty 6,240 feet! The road up, Forest Road 535, is a total off-road experience - unpaved all the way, baby! You could probably make it in a regular car, but I'd definitely recommend something with higher clearance to be safe. Fair warning: there's a gate near the top. The views from up there are insane! Think panoramic vistas of the Red Buttes and Siskiyou Wilderness, plus glimpses of Preston Peak and the shimmering Bolan Lake. Heads up, though: snow usually shuts the road down from late October until sometime between late June and early July. Mother Nature calls the shots on when it's open, so check conditions before you head out. Sadly, the old lookout tower that stood tall since 1953 is gone, a casualty of the 2020 Slater Fire. Still, the view is worth the trek!