Where is Quail Mountain?
Usa, north-america
3.8 km
4,006 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a seriously epic Colorado climb? Head west of Granite, into Chaffee County, and set your sights on Quail Mountain.
We're talking a proper 4x4-only kind of trail here. Forest Service Road 398, aka Lost Canyon Road, will test your skills and your vehicle's suspension. The first half? Manageable. The second half? Buckle up, buttercup, because you're heading above the treeline into some seriously rugged terrain.
This isn't a Sunday drive; we're talking a 3.8 km (2.36 mile) ascent with gradients hitting a wild 20% in places. You'll climb almost 400 meters, averaging a 10% grade, so make sure your rig is ready.
But the views? Totally worth it. At the summit, you'll find relics from the mining days – a couple of old cabins – and overlooks that will blow your mind. Lost Canyon sprawls below you to the northeast, the glistening Clear Creek Reservoir to the east, and a panorama of mountains in every direction.
Keep in mind that being high up in the Sawatch Range means snow closes this road down for a good chunk of the year. Plan your trip for the warmer months!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,006 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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