Travel guide to the top of Tincup Pass in Colorado
Usa, north-america
20.43 km
3,710 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Tincup Pass in Colorado! This stunner of a road sits at a whopping 12,171 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest drives in the state. You'll find it chilling west of the ghost town of Saint Elmo, right on the line between Chaffee and Gunnison counties.
Heads up: this is a 12.7-mile unpaved adventure on County Road 267, linking the town of Tincup to the eerie St. Elmo. The season's short – typically mid-June to early autumn, snow permitting. Because, yeah, even early July can see snow up here!
You'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 with low-range gearing for this one – it's easier going from the east. The road's generally decent, but expect eroded sections with rocks, especially on the west side. There are a few steep spots and narrow areas, and near the top, it gets seriously tight with cliff edges. Rocky at the summit, and that shelf road at 12,000 feet can hold snow well into summer. Usually, you'll have enough room to pass other vehicles (mostly ATVs).
This old wagon road (built back in 1881) cuts through the Gunnison and San Isabel National Forests and puts you right on the Continental Divide. The pass gets its name from a prospector who toted his gold home in a tin cup back in the day!
But the real reason to come? The views! High alpine scenery galore. Plan on a 2-3 hour trip with photo stops. You'll cruise through aspen forests at lower elevations and get insane views of the Rockies. Keep an eye out for marmots and other wildlife, and don't miss Mirror Lake. Trust me, it's a four-wheeling paradise.
Where is it?
Travel guide to the top of Tincup Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.2117, -96.6892
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 20.43 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,710 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.2117, -96.6892
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