Mount Antero in Colorado is one of the highest roads of North America

# Mount Antero: Colorado's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure

Ready for one of the most thrilling drives in America? Mount Antero, nestled in Colorado's stunning Sawatch Range between Buena Vista and Salida, offers an unforgettable journey to one of the USA's highest drivable peaks at 13,743 feet.

The adventure starts at Chalk Creek Drive via Baldwin Gulch Road (County Road 277)—a wild, rocky 6.89-mile climb that'll test your nerves and your vehicle. This isn't your typical scenic byway. You're looking at serious elevation gain (4,300 feet!) over a brutally steep 11.83% average grade, with a road that demands respect.

The real deal here? Expect white-knuckle moments. Narrow shelf roads with dramatic switchbacks and serious drop-offs dominate the upper sections. Your vehicle needs to be rugged—four-wheel drive and high clearance aren't optional. The terrain shifts between loose rock and dirt, and passing another car? Pretty much impossible once you're committed. The road itself is solid though, which is your saving grace on those narrow sections.

**Timing is everything.** Heavy snow blocks access until June (sometimes July), so plan accordingly and always check conditions before heading out. Lightning storms can roll in fast at elevation, so know when to turn back or stay put.

History buffs will dig the mining remnants scattered along the route—this area was a 1950s beryl mining hotspot. Today, the mountain's known for some of the country's richest aquamarine deposits, making it a rock hound's paradise.

Fair warning: summer brings crowds. But reach that summit, and you'll be rewarded with a jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama of the entire Sawatch Range. Absolutely worth the adrenaline rush.