Eldorado Mountain, a private road to the summit

Eldorado Mountain, a private road to the summit

Usa, north-america

Length

9.49 km

Elevation

2,535 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, let's talk Eldorado Mountain in Colorado โ€“ right on the edge of Boulder, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties. We're talking serious altitude here, a peak sitting pretty at 8,316 feet!

Now, the road to the top isn't your typical paved paradise. It's a rugged, private dirt track that winds its way up to a summit dotted with antennas and a couple of buildings. Think of it as a climb with a technological twist!

The adventure kicks off from Coal Creek Canyon Road, and from there, it's about 5.9 miles of upward journey. Get ready for a climb of 1,824 vertical feet, so your vehicle will be earning its keep. The average slope is around 5.85%, so nothing too crazy, but definitely engaging.

And the reward for your efforts? Oh man, the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking. Seriously, pack a camera because you're gonna want to capture this one!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
9.49 km
Max Elevation
2,535 m
Difficulty
moderate

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Eldorado Mountain, a private road to the summit - Usa - RoadScout