Where is County Road 36 in Colorado?

Where is County Road 36 in Colorado?

Usa, north-america

Length

7.88 km

Elevation

3,772 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! County Road 36 in southwest Colorado is calling your name. South of Lake City, nestled near the legendary Million Dollar Highway, you'll find this gem. We're talking epic mountain views and abandoned mine ruins galore!

It's about 5 miles of pure, unadulterated, unpaved road. But hold on—this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're climbing to a breathtaking 12,375 feet above sea level! You'll hit the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway and find yourself right smack dab on the Continental Divide. The road dead ends at the remnants of the ghost town of Carson.

Now, for the nitty-gritty: this road is NARROW. Think hairpin turns (at least four blind ones!), water crossings, and a whole lotta rocks and trees trying to get in your way. Seriously, bring your A-game and your 4x4 with high clearance. Those steep sections? Yeah, they can hit a 22% gradient. Passing spots are scarce, but the good news is you probably won't see many other vehicles. Watch out for ATVs, motorcycles, hikers, and bikers, too! Oh, and did I mention the steep drop-offs? Definitely not for the faint of heart.

Word to the wise: this road is CLOSED from about October to June. Snow drifts high in the Rockies! So, if you're planning a summer adventure, County Road 36 might just be the thrill you're looking for!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
7.88 km
Max Elevation
3,772 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

How long is the Going-to-the-Sun Road?extreme

How long is the Going-to-the-Sun Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Going-to-the-Sun Road is THE highlight of Glacier National Park, Montana. Seriously, this 50-mile stretch nestled way up in the Rockies is an engineering masterpiece and arguably one of the most scenic drives on the planet. Starting in West Glacier and winding all the way to St. Mary, this "crown jewel of scenic drives" is entirely paved, but don't let that fool you – it's narrow! Think two lanes, hairpin turns, and seriously stunning views paired with twisty sections and cliff edges. Heads up: oversized vehicles aren't allowed in certain sections. Anything wider than 8 feet is a no-go between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun picnic area. Also, taller vehicles (over 10 feet) might scrape the rocks heading west from Logan Pass. Construction started way back in 1921, and it finally opened in 1933. This is the only road that crosses the entire park, so it's a must-do! Budget at least 2 hours without stops, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. You'll cruise through incredible landscapes, from glacial lakes and forests in the valleys to alpine tundra up at the pass. The views change dramatically depending on which way you're driving. The road's usually open from mid-June to mid-October, but snow can shut things down early. They get up to 80 feet of snow at Logan Pass! Speaking of Logan Pass, that's the highest point at 6,646 feet. One major heads up: During peak summer (usually late May to early September), you NEED a timed entry reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road. You'll have to snag a permit in advance through the National Park Service. No permit, no entry during restricted times. Always check the park's official website for the latest details.

Grand Loop Road is a scenic drive in Yellowstone NPmoderate

Grand Loop Road is a scenic drive in Yellowstone NP

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for the ultimate Yellowstone adventure on the Grand Loop Road! This paved beauty winds 140 miles through the heart of the park, hitting all the major highlights in a figure-eight design. You'll be cruising on sections of US 20, 89, 191, and 287 without even realizing it. The road can be twisty and turny, but also straight and flat in sections. Keep your eyes peeled and take those curves seriously, sticking to the 45 mph speed limit. You'll want to soak in the incredible scenery – this drive is the best way to see Yellowstone's iconic attractions. Just a heads-up: summer can get crazy busy, so factor in extra time. The local wildlife (bison, bears, the whole gang) have the right of way, and traffic often grinds to a halt when they're around. Expect anything from 4 to 7 hours to complete the loop, depending on the crowds. Originally built way back in 1915 and paved in the 40s, this route was dreamt up by Captain Hiram M. Chittenden, a total legend from the US Army Corps of Engineers. This is a high-altitude road, hitting elevations of 8,262 feet at Craig Pass, 7,119 feet at Kingman Pass, and a whopping 8,917 feet at Dunraven Pass. Be aware that some sections close entirely during winter, so plan accordingly.

Williams Peakmoderate

Williams Peak

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: Williams Peak, a killer mountain pass tucked away in Colorado's Grand County. We're talking serious elevation here, like 11,233 feet! The road's not exactly a walk in the park—think gravel and rocks, which means you'll need a decent SUV with some clearance. Winter? Forget about it. This road's a no-go when the snow flies. While it's not crazy technical, it's definitely not for the faint of heart, especially if heights make you queasy. Watch out for the trees too, they can get a little close and personal with your paint job! But, trust me, the views? Totally worth it. Absolutely spectacular. You'll be bragging about this one for sure.

A delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in COmoderate

A delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in CO

🇺🇸 Usa

Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.890m (9,481ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road is usually crowded during peak tourist season. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO paved? Set high in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road to the summit is and navigable by all passenger vehicles. It’s called Bear Lake Road. Starting at US-36, the drive is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. It's a dazzling little drive, with a few hairpin turns. The road was constructed in 1928. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO open? Access to the lake is typically , with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. At 2.890m (9,481ft), Bear Lake freezes in the winter. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO worth it? The drive is very scenic. It’s said to be one of the most famous roads in Rocky Mountain National Park . It has an estimated 2 million visitors each year. Traffic can be heavy especially in summer and on fall weekends and the Bear Lake parking lot often fills up by noon on busy summer days. It can be congested. Is the road to Bear Lake steep? The road to the summit is steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at US-36, the ascent is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 385 meters. The average gradient is 2.54%. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.