Shrine Pass in Colorado - A Comprehensive Guide for Off-Road Enthusiasts

Shrine Pass in Colorado - A Comprehensive Guide for Off-Road Enthusiasts

Usa, north-america

Length

19.15 km

Elevation

3,410 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Shrine Pass in Colorado. We're talking about a high-altitude dirt road, sitting pretty at 11,187 feet! It’s smack-dab on the Eagle and Summit County line, nestled in the White River National Forest.

This isn't your average highway. It’s a narrow, unpaved dirt track (aka Shrine Pass Road or Forest Road 709) that used to be *the* way to get between Denver and Glenwood Springs back in the day. Now it's more of a scenic adventure.

The road's generally in good shape, but heads up – it can get narrow and rocky. A sturdy 2WD vehicle, SUV, or 4WD is your best bet but sometimes you can even make it in a high-clearance 2WD. There’s usually plenty of room to pass, plus a few pull-offs to snag some epic photos.

You can only hit this beauty from June to September (weather permitting, of course). Trust me, it’s worth the wait. The views are insane, especially in summer and fall with wildflower meadows, pine forests, and glimpses of Mount of the Holy Cross. It’s an awesome sightseeing route, especially when the leaves start changing, and thankfully, it's never too crowded.

The whole shebang is about 11.9 miles, connecting I-70 near Vail Pass to US-24 near Red Cliff. Get ready for an unforgettable Colorado drive!

Where is it?

Shrine Pass in Colorado - A Comprehensive Guide for Off-Road Enthusiasts is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.3348, -94.9742

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
19.15 km
Max Elevation
3,410 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
38.3348, -94.9742

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Barlow Pass?hard

Where is Barlow Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Hey fellow adventurers! Let me tell you about Barlow Pass in northwestern Washington, nestled in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This place is a gem! You can park right at the top (elevation 2,355ft), making it super accessible. Heads up though – bring your own water, as the local stuff has some not-so-friendly heavy metals. You'll cruise up the Mountain Loop Highway to get there. Picture this: towering mountains in every direction – seriously stunning. The road’s paved on both ends, but there's a 14-mile (21 km) stretch around the pass that’s a single-lane gravel road. Keep an eye on conditions, as floods sometimes cause closures. The whole shebang is about 52.5 miles long, winding through some unforgettable scenery. Barlow Pass is also the trailhead for Monte Cristo, a cool old mining ghost town. The road there is blocked off – and for good reason! It's super rough and not for cars, but the trail itself is pretty manageable, though those past floods did leave their mark. Happy trails!

Where is Summit Camp?hard

Where is Summit Camp?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for an adventure on Forest Road 140 in northern New Mexico! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a 2.48-mile climb to Summit Camp in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Get ready for some seriously steep grades that'll test your mettle (and probably your brakes!). We're talking serious elevation here, topping out at 10,282 feet! While you won't be able to drive all the way to the summit, as it's closed to private vehicles, a chairlift awaits to whisk you to the very top. Keep in mind this road is no joke and becomes impassable during winter. But when it's open, expect stunning views and an unforgettable, high-altitude experience in Carson National Forest!

Driving the scenic North Carolina Highway 12 with sand and watermoderate

Driving the scenic North Carolina Highway 12 with sand and water

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: North Carolina Highway 12, a dreamy coastal route stretching 147 miles along the Outer Banks! It's basically a ribbon of asphalt clinging to the sand, linking all those cool peninsulas and islands up north. We're talking two lanes for most of it, squeezed between the sound and the sea. Now, fair warning, this road is a bit of a drama queen. Coastal storms LOVE to mess with it, so be prepared for potential flooding, sand invasions, and ferry shutdowns when the weather gets wild. Seriously, hurricanes can really do a number on NC 12. But hey, that also means awesome sand dunes and kite-flying opportunities when the wind's up! And the scenery? Stunning! You’ll find so much to keep you entertained as you bop along the islands of the Outer Banks. Plus, you've GOT to check out the historic lighthouses at Bodie Island, Hatteras, and Ocracoke. Hatteras and Ocracoke are real gems. Get ready for an unforgettable road trip!

Where is Gates Lake?moderate

Where is Gates Lake?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Gates Lake, nestled high in Utah's Fishlake National Forest (Sevier County, to be exact), is calling your name. This pristine mountain lake sits at a seriously impressive elevation, about 29 miles southeast of Salina. Think postcard-perfect scenery and total serenity. Now, getting there is half the fun, but it's not for the faint of heart. The road to the lake? Totally unpaved! We're talking a roughly 5.6-mile dirt track heading south-north from the main paved road. Leave the trailer at home, trust me. And honestly, low-clearance cars need not apply – this is strictly 4x4 territory. You'll likely have the whole place to yourself, though. Usually open from [insert season]. So, if you're craving a real off-the-grid experience, Gates Lake might just be your spot!