Driving the challenging road to Mount Princeton in Colorado's Rocky Mountains

Driving the challenging road to Mount Princeton in Colorado's Rocky Mountains

Usa, north-america

Length

9.97 km

Elevation

3,699 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a killer off-road experience for you in the heart of Colorado's Chaffee County: Mount Princeton Road (Forest Service Road 322A). This bad boy climbs to a whopping 12,137 feet, earning its stripes as one of Colorado's highest roads.

You'll find it nestled within the San Isabel National Forest. The road is a 6.2-mile unpaved climb from County Road 321.

The first section is a breeze. But don't get too comfy! The last half-mile is where things get spicy, demanding a 4x4 beast. Most stock SUVs with some clearance should handle it, but leave your low-riders at the Young Life Camp and hike the rest.

Prepare for a serious workout—we're talking an elevation gain of 3,520 feet! The average grade is a leg-burning 10.76%, with ramps hitting a max of 14%.

Keep an eye on the calendar! Winter owns this place, so aim for a summer adventure. Snow typically shuts it down from November to June, and even in summer, the summit might be snow-covered.

But trust me, the views are worth it. You'll be rewarded with jaw-dropping scenery, plenty of parking at the top, and a cool old weather station plus the Bristlecone Park Chalet to explore. Get ready for some serious bragging rights.

Where is it?

Driving the challenging road to Mount Princeton in Colorado's Rocky Mountains is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.2422, -98.4331

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
9.97 km
Max Elevation
3,699 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
36.2422, -98.4331

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