
Carnero Pass
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,100 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, let's talk about Carnero Pass! Nestled way up in Saguache County, Colorado, this bad boy tops out at a cool 10,171 feet. You'll find it chilling within the Rio Grande National Forest.
Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a gravel 4WD track (County Road 41 G, if you're mapping it). Seriously, watch the weather! This road isn't messing around. Avalanches, serious snow, and landslides are real possibilities, plus icy patches love to pop up. Expect some rocky and muddy bits along the way. But hey, if you're up for it, the views are totally worth the white-knuckle ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,100 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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