
Ptarmigan Peak: Ultimate 4wd destination
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,681 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Ptarmigan Hill in central Colorado's Eagle County is calling your name! This beast sits at a whopping 12,076 feet, making it one of Colorado's highest drivable peaks.
Tucked away in the Rockies at the north end of the Sawatch Range, the road to the top is all rugged, unpaved goodness. Seriously, you're gonna need a 4x4 to conquer this one.
You'll find this gem inside the White River National Forest. The climb is short but intense – we're talking 1,934 feet in less than half a mile, with a total elevation gain of 1,079 feet! Sadly, this route is totally snowed in during the winter.
But the payoff? Epic! From the summit, prepare to be blown away by panoramic views of the Gore and Tenmile Mountain Ranges. You'll even catch glimpses of the iconic Mount of the Holy Cross and a sliver of I-70. Trust me; it's worth every bump and grind.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,681 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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