Holy Cross City Jeep Road in Colorado is only for the most experienced drivers
Usa, north-america
6.1 km
3,618 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're looking for a REAL challenge, Holy Cross City Jeep Road in Eagle County, Colorado is calling your name. This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking hardcore, expert-level terrain only. Seriously, leave your stock vehicle at home.
This 3.8-mile (one-way) beast climbs relentlessly to a whopping 11,870 feet above sea level near Holy Cross City and Cleveland Lake, making it one of the highest roads in the state. Nestled in the central Colorado Rockies, the unpaved and rocky path to the top is unforgiving.
Expect some serious pinstriping – a sign warns of potential vehicle damage right at the trailhead. You'll start off Homestake Road #703 and battle your way to the historic Holy Cross City site. Weekends here are always crowded with other thrill-seekers, so be prepared to share the trail.
Keep in mind, this is the high country! The upper reaches of the road are usually snowed-in from late November to mid-July. And pro tip: NEVER tackle this trail solo.
Beyond the adrenaline rush, you'll be cruising through living history. The road, built in 1883, winds past remnants of Colorado's mining boom and offers insane views of the Mount of the Holy Cross. The destination is the old Holy Cross City mining town, a ghost town with building ruins and rusting equipment. Once a bustling hub with 300 residents, stamp mills, boarding houses, and more, it’s now a relic of a bygone era.
But before you get all starry-eyed, understand that this road demands respect. You NEED the right training and equipment. Know your 4-wheel-drive system inside and out, and ALWAYS travel with a buddy in another vehicle. Winching WILL be necessary, and you might even have to do some trail building! The two notorious obstacles are French Creek and Cleveland Rock. French Creek involves a long stream crossing, followed by navigating huge boulders with wet tires. And Cleveland Rock? A massive boulder with two incredibly challenging lines. Translation: Bring emergency supplies and extra parts, and KNOW YOUR ROUTE! A winch, 33"+ tires, locking differentials, and full recovery gear are non-negotiable.
Where is it?
Holy Cross City Jeep Road in Colorado is only for the most experienced drivers is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 37.1288, -99.2542
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 6.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,618 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.1288, -99.2542
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Chase Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a killer trek for you in southern Oregon, near the California border. We're talking about Chase Mountain, a real gem with views for days from its summit. Back in the day, it even had a staffed fire lookout (built in '51!), keeping watch over the forests. Now, the lookout's quiet, but the views are still screaming for your attention. So, how do you get there? You'll cruise along Hamacker Mountain Road. It's mostly a decent gravel track, which is perfect for a bit of off road adventure. Just be aware that the last mile gets a tad bumpy, so nothing too low! And heads up - this route's a no-go zone in winter. From Green Springs Highway, it's just under 10 miles to the top, climbing almost 2,700 feet! That gives you an average gradient of around 5%, so nothing too strenuous for your trusty steed. Get ready for some serious elevation gain!
moderateNorth Fork Clear Creek Trail
🇺🇸 Usa
North Fork Clear Creek Trail (Forest Road 390A) is a very scenic journey located in the heart of Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. This is a winding high mountain road climbing up to 3.289m (10,790ft) above the sea level. Located in the Gunnison National Forest, the trail goes up a beautiful wide open alpine valley with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. It’s narrow and likely to have some potholes. Because of heavy use, this road is often washboarded badly. 4x4 vehicle with good clearance is recommended. The road is blocked by the snow from October to June. How to drive the Sterling Highway in Alaska? Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardBertha Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! We're heading to Bertha Peak, a killer spot in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains. This peak sits pretty high at 8,211 feet, so be ready for some serious views! The road, known as 2N09C, is a gravelly, bumpy ride up to the communications station at the top. Think rocky, steep terrain and potentially loose gravel. You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this one, trust me. After it rains, this road gets even trickier! But the reward? Oh, the reward! You're talking panoramic views of Big Bear Lake and a 360-degree vista of the entire San Bernardino range. Just a heads up: because of its altitude, this area gets snow, so the road might be closed during the winter. Named after Bertha Ekelund back in 1914, it is an old local treasure. But if you go prepared, this summit is absolutely worth the trek.
extremeInfrastructure and Environmental Risk Factors
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're heading up to Bear Lake in Colorado. It's all paved, so no off-roading needed, but the views? Absolutely stunning. Or, how about tackling the Carlsbad Caverns switchbacks in New Mexico? This one's a bit more intense—we're talking a seriously steep 20-degree grade! Hold on tight, it's a wild ride. Want more? Come check out some spectacular roads across the globe!