Show menu

Drive to 13,000 ft! #colorado #overlanding #offroading

Thanks! Share it with your friends!

You disliked this video. Thanks for the feedback!


Added by
13 Views
Driving my Jeep Gladiator to the top of Hermit Pass near Westcliffe, Colorado, one of the few roads in the state where you can drive above 13,000 feet. I also stopped to hike to Hermit Lake along the way.

The road started as a mining exploration route and a connection between the Wet Mountain Valley and the San Luis Valley. On the way up you pass the remains of the old Conquistador Ski Area, which opened in 1978, shut down in 1988, got one more failed season in 1992, and had its lifts sold off in 1996.

Trip info if you want to go:
Getting there: From Westcliffe, head south on Highway 69 for about 0.3 miles past the 69/96 intersection and turn west on Hermit Road (CR 160). Pavement ends around 3 miles in.
The road: It's about 9 miles to the pass. It gets rocky and slow, so you want a high-clearance 4x4. Some spots are one lane wide.
Hermit Lake: The trail to the lake leaves the road around 11,400 feet.

The top: You break out of the trees around 11,900 feet and the pass sits right around 13,000 feet. Past it, the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is closed to motors, so the drivable road ends at the pass.

Season: It's typically open from about June 20 to October 31, but snow can block the top, especially this late in the year. Call the San Carlos Ranger District at (719) 269-8500 for current conditions before you go.

Dispersed camping spots are scattered along the lower part of the road if you want to make a weekend of it.

Have you driven Hermit Pass? Do you know how Hermit Lake got its name? I couldn't find a solid answer, so drop it in the comments. #jeep #jeepgladiator #overlanding #colorado #offroading
Category
ICELAND
Commenting disabled.

Up Next