
Where is Crescent Lake?
Usa, north-america
17 km
3,287 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Crescent Lake! It's a stunning alpine lake way up in Garfield County, Colorado, chilling at a cool 10,784 feet. You'll find it tucked south of, well, you know, somewhere in northwest Colorado, nestled on the southeast side of the Flat Tops Wilderness.
Now, getting there is half the fun – and I mean *fun* with an asterisk. Forest Road 613 is the name of the game, and it's unpaved, with some seriously rocky bits thrown in to keep you on your toes. Think a wild mix of trail riding, rock crawling, maybe a little mud wrestling, plus creek crossings! Basically, it’s moderately challenging and you should drive only as far as you feel comfortable. Translation? You're gonna need a high-clearance 4x4 with low-range capabilities. Trust me on this one.
The adventure kicks off from County Road 39 (aka the Derby Mesa Loop), and it's about 11 miles to the lake. Keep in mind, being up in the Colorado Flattops, this road can stay snowed in until late June or even July! So, plan your trip accordingly for some prime summer vibes.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,287 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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