Ultimate 4wd destination: Cronin Peak in Colorado

Ultimate 4wd destination: Cronin Peak in Colorado

Usa, north-america

Length

15.1 km

Elevation

3,914 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Nestled way up high in Colorado's Chaffee County, Cronin Peak is calling your name. We're talking serious altitude here - this old mining trail climbs to a whopping 12,841 feet!

You'll find it hidden in the southern Sawatch Range, deep within the San Isabel National Forest. The road, Forest Road 278, is a rugged, unpaved beast left over from the good old mining days. Forget your sedan – you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to conquer this one.

The road stretches for about 9.4 miles between Alpine and Browns Lake, snaking its way north-south. Be warned: it's STEEP, with some sections hitting a crazy 21% gradient. But hey, the views are insane! Expect breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding high peaks. Just a heads up, this route is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly.

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
15.1 km
Max Elevation
3,914 m
Difficulty
hard

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