A memorable road trip to Mount Champion in Colorado

Mount Champion is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,930m (12,893ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Mount Champion

Where is Mount Champion?

The peak is located northeast of the legendary Independence Pass, in the central part of Colorado, within the San Isabel National Forest. The road ends near Champion Mill, established in the 1890s as a consistent supplier of gold, silver, galena, and pyrite.

Is the road to Mount Champion unpaved?

The road to the summit is an unpaved old mining road called Champion Mine Road. A 4x4 vehicle is required. At the end of the road, there is an old cabin and a collapsed tunnel.

How long is the road to Mount Champion?

Starting at Champion Mill, at the end of Halfmoon Creek Trail, the road is 3.4 km (2.11 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 401m, with an average gradient of 11.79%. The drive features a 17% maximum gradient on some of the ramps.

Is the road to Mount Champion open in winter?

Set high in the central Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, the road is totally impassable in winter due to heavy snow.
Pic&video: Meeker Extreme

 

 

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