Where is Shrine Pass?
Usa, north-america
19.15 km
3,410 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so Shrine Pass in Colorado is seriously stunning, a dirt road adventure hitting a lung-busting 11,187 feet! You'll find it smack-dab in the White River National Forest, straddling Eagle and Summit counties. They call it Shrine Pass because you get an amazing view of the Mount of the Holy Cross from up there.
The road itself, Shrine Pass Road (Forest Road 709), is unpaved and narrow. Back in the day, it was the main drag between Denver and Glenwood Springs, before the I-70 came along. It’s generally in good shape, but can get rocky in spots. While you might see some sturdy 2WD vehicles braving it, a SUV or 4WD is a safer bet. There's usually room to pass, and a few spots to pull over for those postcard-worthy pics.
Keep in mind, this beauty is only accessible from June to September, depending on the snow. Trust me, it's worth the trip for the views of wildflowers and pine forests in the summer, or the awesome fall colors. It’s a popular spot, but never feels too crowded. The whole pass stretches for about 11.9 miles, linking I-70 to US-24 near Red Cliff.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 19.15 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,410 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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