Where is Fairview Peak?
Usa, north-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you're up for an adventure? Check out Fairview Peak in Gunnison County, Colorado! This spot is north of Pitkin, deep in the Gunnison National Forest.
You'll be tackling Terrible Mountain Road, and let me tell you, the name fits! This is a totally unpaved, rough, and narrow track with some serious drop-offs. It's an old mining road, so definitely high-clearance 4WD territory. Passenger cars should probably sit this one out.
From Pitkin, it's about 10 miles to the top, with a hefty 3,700-foot climb. That's an average gradient of 7%, so get ready for a workout! Of course, being in the Sawatch Range, this road is completely snowed in during winter.
What's the reward? The summit has the ruins of an abandoned fire lookout built way back in 1912. They say it was the highest fire lookout around, but it wasn't staffed for long. You can actually go inside! Just be aware that lightning strikes are frequent, so skip it if there's a storm brewing. The views are supposed to be spectacular.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- hard
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