
Where is Mount Champion?
Usa, north-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Mount Champion! This beast of a peak sits high up in the Colorado Rockies, way up in Lake County. You'll find it northeast of the iconic Independence Pass, smack-dab in the heart of the San Isabel National Forest.
Now, the road to the top? It's an unpaved, old mining road that leads up to Champion Mill, a place that used to churn out gold, silver, and more back in the day. Think rugged, raw Colorado! You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle to tackle this one. Keep an eye out for an old cabin and the remains of a collapsed tunnel at the very end.
Starting from Champion Mill, it's a climb of roughly 3.7 miles. In that short distance, you'll gain about 2,100 feet, making for a pretty steep average grade! And be warned: there are some seriously tight switchbacks along the way.
Oh, and one more thing: winter is a no-go. This road, nestled in the central Sawatch Range, becomes totally impassable when the snow flies. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck up there!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- hard
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