A rough 4x4 road to Taylor Pass in Colorado

Okay, buckle up for Taylor Pass, one of Colorado's highest roads at a whopping 11,948 feet! You'll find this beauty straddling Gunnison and Pitkin counties, west of Denver, deep in the heart of Colorado.

Word has it that the pass is named after some old mining dude, Jim Taylor, who was chasing gold dreams way back in the 1860s.

Now, heads up: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking a full-on unpaved adventure on Express Creek Road (Forest Service Road 15C). From the paved Castle Creek Road, it's a 4.7-mile climb, and trust me, you'll want a serious 4x4 with high clearance. Regular cars need not apply.

Seriously, this road is not for the faint of heart! It's rough and rocky, with at least one creek crossing that'll test your skills. Take it slow through the creek – there can be some tricky holes. And getting out with wet tires can be a challenge, so scout your line first! If you're scared of heights, parts of the north side might make you sweat. Gold Hill and Difficult Pass are accessed from the north side, too.

Keep in mind, this area is usually snowed in from October to July. Prime time is late summer, but watch out for early snows in October. But the payoff is HUGE! We're talking killer alpine scenery in the Elk Range.

This is a true 4x4 experience, super scenic. Plan on about 2 hours to make the drive. It's a real climb, but the views from the top are unreal – think Elk and Collegiate Peaks Ranges stretching out forever. Hit it in summer (June, July, August) and the alpine wildflowers are insane. Or go in early fall for aspen trees exploding with color in the hillsides and Castle Creek Valley.

Located in the Gunnison National Forest, expect some seriously steep sections up to a 20% gradient. You'll climb 2,490 feet from Castle Creek Road, averaging about a 10% grade. Get ready for an adventure!