
Missouri Hill
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,684 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: you're in Chaffee County, Colorado, itching for an adventure. Buckle up and head toward Missouri Hill! This baby tops out at a whopping 12,086 feet, making it one of Colorado's highest drives.
You'll be cruising on Taylor Mountain Trail (that's County Road 228), a rugged gravel and rocky path that used to be a mining road. Word to the wise: this road's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. If unpaved mountain roads give you the jitters, or heights aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out. Seriously, a 4x4 is a MUST.
Get ready for some seriously steep switchbacks as you climb. Keep your eyes peeled for places to pull over, because you might run into someone coming the other way in a tight spot. As you make your way up, you'll be passing by tons of old mining relics, a cool peek into Colorado's history. And oh yeah, the views? Totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,684 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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