Whale Peak, an old mine road to the summit
Whale Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.940m (12,926ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Summit and Jefferson counties, in the United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, on the boundary of Arapaho National Forest and Pike National Forest, the bumpy road to the summit is unpaved. It’s an old mine road called Montezuma road. The road can be muddy, rocky, and difficult to traverse. Only OHV or SUVs with significant clearance should attempt to summit the pass. Starting from Georgia Pass, the ascent is 6.92km (4.3 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 405 meters. The average gradient is 5.85%.
Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season. The trail may be impassable in the spring because of one wet area on the upper north side. The scenery is beautiful but make sure your equipment is in good shape and you know what you are getting into. Gibson Lake, nestled under Whale Peak during the summer is very popular destination. The road is very rough. A road that heads west from the pass goes to high point at top of Glacier Peak.
Pic: Jessi Pooh