Trail Overview
Apex Road is a scenic, historic route perfect for beginners and intermediate offroaders looking to explore Colorado's rich mining heritage while enjoying beautiful mountain vistas. Starting from Central City and heading north to Tolland, this trail transitions from a smooth, graded gravel road in the south to a progressively rougher, unpaved track as it winds through the pine forests. The route is highly accessible for stock, high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, SUVs, and SxSs during dry conditions, offering a scenic drive that showcases the rugged beauty of the Front Range. As the trail advances north and joins Elk Park Road, the terrain becomes bumpier with minor erosion, shallow ruts, and loose rock, requiring careful line selection to avoid bottoming out on the uneven surface.
The northern descent introduces mud puddles beneath the forest canopy and steeper hillsides that can become slick and challenging after rain or snowmelt. Along the route, travelers will discover several dispersed camping opportunities, making it an excellent multi-day hub for hunters, hikers, and campers seeking deep forest immersion. This trail serves as a gateway to other legendary offroad trails in the area, such as Mammoth Gulch and Kingston Peak, allowing drivers to customize their journey through the historic Gilpin County mining district. Standard four-wheel-drive is highly recommended, especially on the northern end, to safely navigate the rocky, undulating sections and any potential muddy patches.
Difficulty
While there are no major obstacles, the hills do have loose rocks and ruts on them, with puddles in the trees as you descend on the northern end of the trail. This trail has the potential to be challenging during or after a moisture event.
History
Apex Road passes near the historic ghost town of Apex, which was established in 1891 during Colorado's gold rush. At its height, the town had a population of approximately 1,000 residents and featured amenities such as hotels, a dance hall, and its own newspaper. Remnants of this historic mining settlement remain visible along the route, which also provides access to neighboring historical tracks such as Mammoth Gulch and Kingston Peak.
