A truly epic road to Kennebec Pass in Colorado

A truly epic road to Kennebec Pass in Colorado

Usa, north-america

Length

22.69 km

Elevation

3,561 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Kennebec Pass in southwest Colorado's La Plata County is a MUST for your bucket list. We're talking serious altitude here – 11,683 feet! You'll find it chilling northwest of Durango, beckoning you towards Snowstorm Peak.

County Road 124, a totally unpaved path forged way back in the 1800s by prospectors, is your route to the top. Expect a wild 14.1-mile ride that begins near Hesperus, off US-160. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks.

The climb gets intense, with gradients hitting a whopping 15% in spots. You'll probably only need 4WD for the last couple of miles. And heads up: the drop-offs near the summit are HUGE. You’ll definitely want to be comfortable navigating these heights. Plus, traffic is super light, so come prepared with tools and repair kits, just in case.

Nestled in the San Juan National Forest, within the La Plata Range, Kennebec Pass flaunts panoramic mountain views that will blow your mind. Keep an eye out for relics of the past – abandoned mining equipment and structures scattered along the route. There’s a convenient parking spot about a mile from the top. The Rocky Mountain scenery from the summit is simply unforgettable. Word to the wise: This road is typically snowed in from late spring to late fall, so plan accordingly!

Where is it?

A truly epic road to Kennebec Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 45.3836, -97.3507

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
22.69 km
Max Elevation
3,561 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
45.3836, -97.3507

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