Skyline Drive in CO: you're literally on a little strip of roadway on top of mountain
Skyline Drive is one of the Colorado’s hidden gems. It’s a one-way, narrow road, with precipices at all times on one side, or the other, or both.
How long is Skyline Drive in CO?
Located in Fremont County, in the US state of Colorado, Skyline Drive is one-way and totally paved. It's 4.1km (2.6 miles) long and runs west-east from U.S. 50 to Floral Avenue, in a residential neighborhood of Cañon City. The Skyline Drive is free.
When was the Skyline Drive in Colorado built?
This single-lane road atop a knife-edge hilltop above Cañon City was built in 1905 by inmates from the nearby prison to give residents and visitors alike unparalleled views of the city. 60 inmates of the Territorial Prison began work on the road under the direction of Warden John Cleghorn. For every month the convicts worked on the road, they were awarded 10 days off of their sentence. Funding for the project was provided by the project’s committee, which raised more than $2,000 for the effort.
Is the Skyline Drive in Colorado dangerous?
The road is pretty demanding. Be aware that this drive is not for timid drivers or those afraid of heights. The drive is not for those who have never experienced a high road with cliff edges. Along the way you'll drive on a road that ascends and follows the top of a ridge. This road is quite narrow and the drop offs (450 ft) are a bit intimidating on each side, so it should not be attempted by anything large, like a motorhome. This a very steep drive with only enough room for one car to go up. There is no turning around if you change you mind. There are no guard rails and at some points it slopes down on both sides. You are literally on a little strip of roadway on top of mountain. It may be closed for bad weather or ice. Vehicles over 20 feet are not allowed.
How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive in Canon City?
It’s a short scenic drive across a razorback ridge in Cañon City. To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 12 and 15 minutes. Its panoramic views of Cañon City and the Arkansas River Valley are awesome, so allow about one hour to explore Skyline Drive with stops. There are many places to stop off and take in the incredible scenery as well as photographs. Dinosaur footprints were discovered along it in 2001. You can see a series of Cretaceous Ankylosaur tracks made by a group of dinosaurs walking side-by-side through mud.