This 22 mile byway connects Georgetown to Grant and climbs to 11,669 feet. Driving the byway is not recommended for vehicles with more than a 17’ wheelbase due to tight turns on the switchbacks. The road has been improved and paved from Georgetown to the summit. After the summit the pavement is deteriorated in spots and the last 3.6 miles are dirt. A trail at the summit leads to one of Colorado’s fourteeners making it a very popular destination for hikers. The parking lots fill on the weekends with many people parking along the side of the road.
A very short trail at the second parking lot near the summit is accessible with help. The worse part is at the beginning where large loose gravel makes pushing very difficult. The gravel also makes it hard to access the vault toilets.
Several small campgrounds are located along the pass. There are also many opportunities for dispersed camping although most are suitable for tents only. The north side of the pass has something that we’ve never encountered. Small paved pullouts are provided for tent campers to park their cars then carry their equipment to flat, shaded areas under the trees. The south side of the pass also has dispersed camping along the road but the sites are drive in and very rough. We found a beautiful spot just off of a dirt spur road. All camping spots fill on the weekends. Byway
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I believe I visited this part of Colorado a long while back near the mid 90s. It was definitely pretty from what I remember and your shots!
ReplyDeleteKenny
Stoltzfus-Rec
It is a beautiful area as most of Colorado.
ReplyDeleteWill be there next year.
Have fun
Colorado has to be the most scenic state in the country. We've enjoyed every road that we've traveled along. You two will love it. I'm looking forward to your hikes and waterfall views!
ReplyDeleteGotta get you a chair with some big fat tread pneumatic tires so that you can get over the gravel easier :).
ReplyDeleteHi Matt! Planning any trips for this fall? How's the Redneck Express holding up?
ReplyDeleteThe express is doing well, hasn't moved since the big adventure last year. She will be getting loaded up here fairly soon so I can start moving out of my current site, with the new 5th wheel being delivered soon :), but nothing planned other than a small trip up to visit friends in Moses Lake (visited them the previous fall when they still lived in Helena, MT).
ReplyDeleteOther than that, she's lined up to spend the winter inside a barn instead of out in the elements, which will give me time to do some work on her that's been needing doing for some time.
Congratulations on your new home! Post some pictures on your blog. :-)
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