Travel guide to Corkscrew Pass in Colorado
Usa, north-america
8 km
3,732 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright adventure-seekers, buckle up for Corkscrew Pass! This wild ride is perched way up high in Colorado's San Juan County, clocking in at a breathtaking 12,244 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude!
You'll find this gem tucked within the Uncompahgre National Forest in southwestern Colorado. This route began as a rough-and-tumble trail back in the 1880s, designed to connect Silverton with the bustling mining towns around Red Mountain.
The 5-mile Corkscrew Gulch Trail (aka County Road 20A and 11) is a proper off-road experience. Expect steep climbs, unpaved surfaces, and hairpin switchbacks that'll test your nerve. When it's dry, it's a fun challenge, but watch out when it's wet! The clay soil turns super slippery. While most of the road is wide and well-graded, those upper switchbacks can be a bit tight. And heads up: a wrong move could send you tumbling down a 500-foot cliff! Trust me, you'll want a short-wheelbase 4x4 with high clearance for this one.
Keep in mind, this beauty is usually snowed in from November to June.
Running west-southeast from the Million Dollar Highway to County Road 10, this trail carves right through the heart of historic mining country. The awesome thing about Corkscrew is that you can usually see the road ahead, which is great for anticipating oncoming traffic. Watch out for logging trucks at the lower end of the trail.
The views from the top are absolutely unreal! You get an incredible bird's-eye view of Como Lake. This route is known for its amazing scenery and photo ops, plus you'll see tons of flora and fauna. Definitely bring a camera and extra batteries because you will want to document EVERYTHING. Fall is particularly gorgeous, overlooking the aspen trees in the Ironton valley. It's a popular spot, so expect to share the road with other adventurers!
Where is it?
Travel guide to Corkscrew Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.0919, -95.4937
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,732 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.0919, -95.4937
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