Ultimate 4wd destination: Clear Lake in San Juan NF
Usa, north-america
7.08 km
3,653 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Clear Lake! Picture this: an alpine turquoise dream shimmering at almost 12,000 feet high, nestled in Colorado's San Juan County. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks.
You'll find this gem tucked away in the San Juan National Forest, just west of the cool little town of Silverton, south of South Lookout Peak.
The road to the lake? Forget pavement! It's a wild, rocky ride known as Forest Road 815 (Clear Lake Road). From Forest Road 585, near South Mineral Campground, it's a relatively short 4.4 miles, but don't let the distance fool you.
You'll absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle, and 4x4 is highly recommended. Think narrow, steep, and hairpin turns that'll test your skills. Oh, and did I mention the seriously steep drop-offs? Beginners beware! Plenty of designated parking at the top though, so don't even think about parking on the grass.
Open seasonally, from late spring to late fall, this high-altitude road is a stunner. You'll pass old mining relics along the way, but the real draw is the incredible scenery, wildflowers, and waterfalls. It's a bit of a white-knuckle climb to that magical lake above, but trust me, the views are worth every sweaty palm and craned neck.
And yeah, that road gets steep! We're talking gradients up to 16% in sections. You'll climb over 2,000 feet from Forest Road 585, with an average gradient of over 9%.
Where is it?
Ultimate 4wd destination: Clear Lake in San Juan NF is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.7621, -100.0341
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.08 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,653 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 38.7621, -100.0341
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