Where is Mount Bross?

Where is Mount Bross?

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,071 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so picture this: you're in central Colorado, west of Denver, cruising through Pike National Forest, right? You're heading up this insane old mining road, County Road 787 (aka Windy Ridge Road), towards Mount Bross. This isn’t your average Sunday drive—we’re talking about one of the highest roads in the USA, topping out at a crazy 13,356 feet!

The road’s totally unpaved, a rugged dirt track that winds its way up into the Mosquito Range of the Rockies. Most of the way it's pretty chill, but as you get closer to the top, it gets narrow and rocky. Seriously, full-size rigs might wanna think twice about going all the way.

Word of warning: the actual summit is private property, so respect the signs. Plus, this area is packed with old mines, remnants of Colorado's mining boom, which makes it super interesting to explore.

Heads up, this road is usually only open in the summer. And trust me, you wanna get an early start. Thunderstorms roll in almost every afternoon, so aim to be off the peak by noon to avoid any lightning drama.

But, the views? Totally worth it! This is one of those Colorado trails that has it all: challenging terrain, stunning scenery, a dose of history, and killer hiking and fishing spots nearby. From the top, you can scope out a bunch of other 14ers. And the old mines scattered along the way? So cool to see!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
4,071 m
Difficulty
moderate

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