How to drive the unpaved road to Casco Peak in Colorado?
Casco Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.925m (12,877ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Where is Casco Peak?
The peak is located in the central part of Colorado, within the White River National Forest, near the boundary with San Isabel National Forest. Near the summit there are remnants of several abandoned old mining buildings. High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude.
Is the road to Casco Peak unpaved?
The road to the summit is totally unpaved, with narrow parts and very steep sections. It’s an old mining road. It is called Forest Road 110J. The road can be driven in many stock SUVs equipped with 4x4 & higher clearance. However, the road is continuously rocky and does present some degree of clearance challenges for stock SUVs.
How long is the road to Casco Peak?
Starting from Halfmoon Road (Forest Road 110), the road to the summit is 7.24km (4.5 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 761m (2,497 ft) and the average gradient is 10.51%.
Is the road to Casco Peak open year-round?
Set high in the Sawatch Range, the road is not plowed in winters. It’s usually impassable from October through June. Keep an eye on the weather for thunderstorms and lightning. Avoid dangerous afternoon storms. If you see dark puffy clouds building, turn around and get off the mountain.
How to drive the unpaved road to Mount Elbert?
On the way to the summit, the road climbs up to Mount Elbert, a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.504m (11,496ft) above sea level.
Pic: Scott Bram