
Alta Lakes
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,484 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: You're in San Miguel County, Colorado, and you're itching for an adventure. I've got just the spot: Alta Lakes! We're talking three stunning alpine lakes perched way up high at 11,430 feet.
Now, getting there isn't exactly a Sunday drive. Road 649 is a bit of a beast, all gravel and rocks, so definitely leave the low-rider at home. You're gonna want a 4x4 for this one. And forget about it in winter; it's a no-go. You'll find that a lot of people use this trail, but don't let that scare you away.
Yeah, it's bumpy, but trust me, the views are insane. Once you reach the lakes, all that bouncing around will be a distant memory. This short trip is totally worth it for the scenery alone!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,484 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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