
Bartlett Mountain
Usa, north-america
N/A
4,016 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Bartlett Mountain in Colorado's Summit County is calling your name, boasting a whopping 13,175ft elevation. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a gnarly, rocky, and uneven gravel road that winds its way up into the Rockies.
Heads up: this beast is usually snowed in from September to July. When it’s open, it's a playground for serious off-roaders. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, maybe skip this one. You'll definitely need a 4WD vehicle and some serious driving skills. Oh, and did I mention the steep climbs? And mud can make things extra dicey when wet. But if you're brave enough, the views are totally worth it. Fun fact: this mountain used to be a massive source of molybdenum, and the road you're on? Carved right through the old mining operation! Get ready for an epic ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,016 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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