The wild road to Monarch Ridge South in CO

The wild road to Monarch Ridge South in CO

Usa, north-america

Length

2.36 km

Elevation

3,634 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Monarch Ridge South in Colorado's Chaffee County is calling your name! Nestled high in the Rockies, this gravel road tops out at a whopping 11,922 feet. You can hop on it right off Highway 50 where there's a handy parking lot.

Heads up: This road is no joke – it's pretty steep, with an average gradient of 7.45%! The climb from Monarch Pass is just under 1.5 miles, gaining 577 feet in elevation. Expect strong winds and be prepared for crazy-fast weather changes, it can get very cold. Oh, and keep an eye out for bears.

The views? Totally worth it. Just remember, with those incredible heights comes serious weather. Thunderstorms are common, and the area sees a ton of snow, so closures are possible in winter. Once you make it to the top, you'll see some antennas. Passenger cars can usually handle it in the summer and early fall, so get ready for an unforgettable ride!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
2.36 km
Max Elevation
3,634 m
Difficulty
hard

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