
Mount Owen
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,542 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Colorado, heart of the Rockies, Gunnison County to be exact. You're itching for an adventure, right? Well, point your rig towards Mount Owen in the Ruby Range. This peak sits at a cool 11,620 feet, and getting there? It's a *trip*.
The road's a real old mining track, so expect gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bump and tippy action. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 for this one. If you're not comfortable on unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this. But if you're an experienced wheeler looking for a challenge, this is your jam.
Heads up though, this road is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. But when it's open? The views are insane. You'll be smack-dab in the Gunnison National Forest, surrounded by some of the most epic scenery Colorado has to offer. Trust me, the climb is worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,542 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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