Pearl Pass is one of the last roads to open in Colorado

Pearl Pass: Colorado's High-Altitude Adventure!

Located high in the heart of Colorado, this pass hits an elevation of 12,723 feet (3,878m), making it one of the state's highest roads. You'll find it straddling Pitkin and Gunnison counties, deep in eastern Colorado.

Pearl Pass Road (#102) isn't paved – it's a 16.9-mile (27.19km) stretch of rugged, unadulterated off-road heaven. Once an old mining route linking Crested Butte and Aspen, it's now a thrilling 4x4 trail.

This isn't a drive for the faint of heart. You'll need a serious 4x4 to tackle the boulder fields, steep climbs, water crossings, and narrow shelf roads. Expect some seriously rough patches, including a half-mile stretch with a grade of over 25%! Buckle up tight for those rocky, rollercoaster sections. Once you're over the pass, the route mellows out, save for a marshy area. It's got fewer obstacles than some CO trails, but the rocks, rock slides, and scenery are epic.

Speaking of scenery, the Rocky Mountain views are unbeatable, with diverse landscapes around every bend. The pass crosses the Continental Divide.

Be warned: snow often lingers into late July, and sometimes the pass doesn't fully open at all. It’s usually only passable for a few weeks in late summer, and heavy snow years can block the summit completely. Snow and ice are common at higher elevations well into summer.

Give yourself 5-6 hours to soak it all in. Tucked within Gunnison National Forest between Aspen and Crested Butte, Pearl Pass is a truly unforgettable Colorado adventure.