How to get to Crystal Lake in Colorado by car?
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,570 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Crystal Lake in central Colorado is calling your name, but this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a high-altitude adventure in Summit County, reaching a staggering 11,712 feet above sea level!
You'll find this gem tucked away in the Mosquito Range of the Rockies. Co Road 2, a gravel and rocky path off Colorado State Highway 9, is your route. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must for this trek!
Fair warning: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Expect the road to be closed from October to June due to snow. And even in summer, altitude sickness and crazy weather can be real issues. The road tops out at nearly 12,000 feet. If you've got respiratory or heart problems, this one's best admired from afar. But if you're prepared, the views from the top are absolutely unreal.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,570 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateHints for reading Spanish road signs
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Andes on the Carretera Central in Peru. This bad boy stretches for about 220 km (137 miles), linking Lima to La Oroya. We're talking serious elevation changes, climbing from almost sea level in Lima to over 4800 meters (nearly 16,000 feet!) at Ticlio Pass – so get ready for some potential altitude sickness. The views? Absolutely epic. Think snow-capped peaks, dramatic valleys, and tiny villages clinging to the mountainsides. But hold on tight – this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect hairpin turns that'll make your stomach flip, narrow lanes barely wider than your rental car, and the occasional truck barreling towards you. Oh, and landslides and rockfalls are a real possibility, especially during the rainy season. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you! This road is truly an unforgettable experience.
hardWhere is Boy Scout Lane?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so there's this super creepy road in central Wisconsin called Boy Scout Lane, near Plover. It's a total backwoods experience. The whole legend revolves around a Boy Scout troop who met a seriously tragic end, and now, supposedly, their spirits roam the area. It's a short little stretch, only about half a mile, completely unpaved, and winds through the dense woods. Don't expect any scenic overlooks or anything – the atmosphere is the main attraction (if you're into that sort of thing!). The land around the road is private property now, so you can't go wandering off. But even just driving down it, you might feel a chill... or maybe that's just the Wisconsin air! Whether you believe the ghost stories or not, Boy Scout Lane is definitely a memorable, if unsettling, little detour.
extremeHow long is the road to Mount Evans?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for the Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Colorado! This epic route clocks in at 14.4 miles, kicking off from the paved Mestaa’Ėhehe Road (aka Colorado State Highway 103) and winding its way to a staggering 14,130 feet. Yep, that's the highest paved road in North America! Budget about 45 minutes to conquer this paved toll road, but trust me, you'll want to stop. Located just an hour west of Denver, the views are insane. Picture this: You're cruising through five different life zones, from lush forests to windswept alpine tundra. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and those adorable marmots. The road ends at a parking lot by the ruins of the Crest House. Timing is everything. Summer is prime time, but here's a local's secret: try to hit the summit when thunderstorms are brewing around Denver. Watching the storm unfold from above, under a sunny sky, is seriously mind-blowing. The views are killer. We're talking alpine lakes, massive granite formations, and ancient, twisted bristlecone pine trees. The road itself? A masterpiece of engineering with smooth curves. There are a ton of pull-offs, so you can soak in the scenery. Plus, the road delivers a killer aerial view of the Denver metro area. Heads up: this isn't a drive for the faint of heart. The road has switchbacks and some serious drop-offs. Large vehicles (over 30 feet) should probably skip this one. When descending, drop it into a low gear to save your brakes. Also, remember to hydrate! The altitude can hit you hard, so take it easy on that final climb to the very top. The road is usually open from Memorial Day through Labor Day (check conditions before you go), when the snowplows have cleared a path. They may keep the first part of the road open later. Starting at Squaw Pass Road, you'll gain over 3,450 feet in elevation. Translation: It's steep! But oh-so-worth it.
easyWhere is the Red Rock Scenic Byway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Arizona, about 110 miles north of Phoenix, and you stumble upon the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Seriously, this isn't just a drive; it's like rolling through a living, breathing museum. This 14.3-mile stretch of Arizona Highway 179, linking Sedona to Interstate 17, is pure magic. Think red sandstone formations, the kind that make you want to pull over every five minutes to snap a photo. The road itself? Paved, but keep your eyes peeled because it gets twisty in spots. Good news, it’s usually open year-round! Though, heads up, Arizona does get snow, especially from November to March, so keep an eye on the forecast. You *could* zip through it in about 30 minutes, but trust me, you won’t want to. Weekends, especially late mornings and afternoons, get busy, so plan accordingly. There are tons of viewpoints begging for a stop. Is it worth it? Absolutely! It's a gateway to Sedona's famous Red Rock Country. The main chunk, about 7 miles between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, is where the red rock formations seriously pop against the high desert backdrop. You'll even find yourself driving through pine forests within the Coconino National Forest. Prepare to be wowed by the colors and the feeling of being totally immersed in nature. Basically, non-stop scenic views!