Is the road to North Twin Cone Peak unpaved?

Is the road to North Twin Cone Peak unpaved?

Usa, north-america

Length

11.38 km

Elevation

3,759 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk North Twin Cone Peak in Colorado's Park County! This bad boy tops out at a whopping 12,332 feet, making it one of the highest drives in the state.

Forget pavement – you're tackling Forest Service Road 126, a completely unpaved track through the Platte River Mountain Range. It's a solid challenge all the way to the top, perfect for larger 4x4s. The trail's well-marked and easy to follow, but be prepared for some rocky terrain. We're talking proper obstacles that might test your clearance!

Heads up: this route's a no-go in winter. Snow lingers well into summer, so aim for a late June or July opening. Keep an eye out for the weather station at the summit, too.

From the start, you're looking at about 7 miles to the top, but with a serious climb of over 2,300 vertical feet. That's an average grade of around 6%, with some sections getting seriously steep. Buckle up for stunning views and a proper off-road experience!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.38 km
Max Elevation
3,759 m
Difficulty
hard

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