
Driving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County
Usa, north-america
12.8 km
3,714 m
hard
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
Driving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.5320, -104.8605
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,714 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.5320, -104.8605
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