
Travel guide to the top of Griffith Mountain in CO
Usa, north-america
3.54 km
3,522 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a wild, unpaved climb in the heart of Colorado? Then point your rig towards Griffith Mountain, just east of the super-charming Georgetown.
This isn't your average Sunday drive. Griffin Mountain Road is a 2.2-mile dirt track starting from Forest Service Road 710.1 that'll take you all the way up to a whopping 11,555 feet! Nestled deep within the Arapaho National Forest, this peak—named after some old-timey miner bros—offers killer views.
Word to the wise: this route is a no-go in winter. And even in summer, be ready for some serious altitude. But if you’re prepped for a rugged climb and breathtaking scenery, Griffith Mountain is calling your name!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.54 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,522 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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