
A marvelous scenic back country road to Zenobia Peak in CO
Usa, north-america
22.69 km
2,745 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the Northwest corner of Colorado, inside Dinosaur National Monument, lies Zenobia Peak. Trust me, it's worth the trek.
We're talking about a summit sitting pretty at 9,006 feet! You'll be tackling Douglas Mountain Boulevard (aka County Road 60), and let me tell you, it's strictly a 4x4 affair. This unpaved track is rough, rocky, and definitely not for your average sedan. Forget about it in winter, it's not maintained!
Starting from County Road 10, it’s a 14.1-mile climb with a hefty 2,230-foot elevation gain. Expect some seriously steep sections topping out at an 18% gradient! The road winds right to the top, though you might find a gate near the very end. Once you arrive you'll find a fire lookout tower built in 1964 and the views? Epic. You'll see the Uinta Mountains laid out before you, stretching as far as the eye can see. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 22.69 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,745 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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