Where is Kennebec Pass?
Usa, north-america
22.69 km
3,561 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so Kennebec Pass in Colorado? Get ready for a wild ride! Located northwest of Durango, up in La Plata County, this baby tops out at a whopping 11,683 feet! The road, County Road 124, is an unpaved beast, a relic from the 1800s when prospectors carved it into the mountains.
The adventure kicks off near Hesperus on US-160, and the full journey stretches for about 14.1 miles. Expect some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 15% in places. You'll probably want a 4WD for the last couple of miles; near the top, there are some major drop-offs. Take it slow, and keep your eyes on the road.
This isn’t a crowded route, so pack accordingly, especially if you are on a bike!
When can you go? It's nestled high in the San Juan National Forest, so snow usually shuts it down from late spring to late fall.
But the payoff? Oh man, the views! Think mind-blowing panoramas of the Rocky Mountains. You'll find an obvious parking area about a mile before the pass. Keep an eye out for cool relics like old mining gear and abandoned buildings along the way. Trust me, reaching the summit is like stepping into a postcard – pure, breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 22.69 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,561 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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