Can you drive to Clohesy Lake in Colorado?

Can you drive to Clohesy Lake in Colorado?

Usa, north-america

Length

5.3 km

Elevation

3,356 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Clohesy Lake Road (FS 381) in Chaffee County, Colorado! Nestled in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness near Crested Butte, this isn't your average Sunday drive. This unpaved beauty kicks off near Rockdale and stretches for about 3.3 miles into the Sawatch Range.

Now, here's the deal: you can't take your sedan on this trip. We're talking about water crossings, seriously rocky patches, and a steep climb that maxes out at a 14% gradient! A 4WD vehicle with high clearance is a MUST. The road gains 340 meters in elevation, averaging around 6.41% gradient, ending way up at 3,356m (11,010ft). Fair warning: the final 0.75 miles are hike-only.

But the views? Totally worth it. Think classic Colorado: pine forests giving way to stunning alpine scenery, with aspens adding splashes of color. Just be prepared for a challenging but unforgettable drive! And remember, this road's a no-go in winter.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
5.3 km
Max Elevation
3,356 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

The road to Ben Harrison Peak in OR isn’t an easy onehard

The road to Ben Harrison Peak in OR isn’t an easy one

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're headed to Ben Harrison Peak in Oregon's Grant County. This beast tops out at 7,703 feet within the Umatilla National Forest's Greenhorn Mountains. Forget pavement, you'll be tackling NF-148, a rugged dirt track that's pure 4x4 territory. Think ruts, rocks, and steep climbs – some sections hit a 13% grade! You'll be grinding for about 1.6 miles, starting from Vincent Creek Road (Forest Service Road 2010) . Plan your trip between mid-June and October when the road is usually clear. Keep an eye out for old mining sites scattered around the range. The views from the top are totally worth the bumpy ride!

Is High Park Road in Colorado Paved?easy

Is High Park Road in Colorado Paved?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, buckle up for High Park Road, aka County Road 11, snaking through the gorgeous Fremont and Teller counties in southern Colorado! This beauty is totally paved and part of the historic Gold Belt Scenic Byway. It used to be a simple trail connecting ranches and farms to Cañon City, but now it's a smooth ride through some amazing scenery. Perched high in the Rockies, High Park Road summits at a cool 8,366 feet above sea level. Good news: it’s usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter, as those mountain conditions can cause temporary closures. This 18.5-mile stretch runs north-south from CO-9 to County Road 112. Budget about 30 minutes for the drive if you're not stopping to soak in the views (but trust me, you’ll WANT to!). Get ready for an unforgettable journey.

Cow Mountainmoderate

Cow Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trip fans, listen up! Have you heard of Cow Mountain in New Mexico's Lincoln County? This beauty tops out at a whopping 9,399 feet! You'll find the route to the summit—Indian Service Rte 21— nestled within the Mescalero Reservation. The road is mostly paved, but don't get too comfy. The last three miles are gravel, so a 4x4 is a must! Heads up: winter makes this road totally impassable. And if unpaved mountain roads aren't your cup of tea, you might want to sit this one out. But for those who dare, the views are supposed to be epic!

Driving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax Countyhard

Driving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you’re in Colfax County, New Mexico, and craving a seriously epic drive, you NEED to check out Baldy Mountain (also called Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy by the locals). At a whopping 12,185 feet, this peak delivers views that’ll make your jaw drop. This isn't your average Sunday drive though; this 7.95-mile unpaved road used to be an old mining route, so keep an eye out for relics of the past! Starting near Elizabethtown, off NM-38, you'll climb over 3,500 feet. That means an average grade of over 8%, and hold on tight, because there are 17 hairpin turns to conquer! A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST for this trek. Speaking of treks, don’t even THINK about attempting this during the winter – the snow is no joke, and the road often stays closed well into July. Summer brings its own challenges, too. Monsoon season can unleash some serious rain, hail, and lightning. But if you brave it, the views are absolutely worth it!