Owl Mountain: this drive is not for timid drivers

Owl Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.335m (10,941ft) above the sea level, located in Jackson County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Recommended to bring tree removal supplies.

Owl Mountain

Set high within Routt National Forest, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Service Road 791. The road is suitable for Stock SUVs. Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season. The area is famously known for its moose population. While traveling along in the area, keep an eye out for the giant creature. The drive offers great views of the Michigan River Valley.
At the summit there’s a weather station and a lookout was removed a few years ago. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 10% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Pines Campground on County Road 21, the ascent is 9.01km (5.6 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 532 meters. The average gradient is 5.90%

 

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