Is Lime Creek Road in Colorado unpaved?
Usa, north-america
17.86 km
2,996 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Lime Creek Road in Colorado's San Juan County is not for the faint of heart, but oh-so-worth-it for the views!
This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Forget pavement – we're talking 11.1 miles of unadulterated, rocky, and bumpy dirt, winding its way through the San Juan National Forest south of Silverton. Seriously, you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 for this one.
Fair warning: this road gets narrow, REALLY narrow. Think driving on the edge with some serious drop-offs. Not great if heights make you queasy. And forget about easily passing other cars; it's mostly a single-lane affair. Steer clear after rain or snow, as flash floods are a real possibility.
But here's the kicker: this route was the original highway between Silverton and Durango back in the mid-1800s! Plus, Lime Creek Road runs parallel to the iconic Million Dollar Highway.
High up in the San Juan Mountains, you'll climb to a breathless 9,829 feet above sea level. Keep in mind, this road is usually snowed-in during the winter months. Give yourself about two hours to tackle this beauty.
The reward? Views for days, a sense of freedom you can't find anywhere else, and the sweet, sweet air of the Colorado Rockies. Plus, you'll end up at Potato Lake (aka Spud Lake) – a perfect spot to soak it all in!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 17.86 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,996 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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