Trail Overview
Mt. Shavano is a scenic 6.3-mile point-to-point trail near Poncha Springs, Colorado, that is ideal for beginners, high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, and SxSs looking for scenic access to high-altitude trailheads. Climbing from an elevation of 7,976 feet to 9,749 feet, this route starts on County Road 250, winding through Bureau of Land Management (BLM) territory with sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley to the south. About halfway through, as the route enters San Isabel National Forest, it forks, and drivers should stay left onto County Road 252 to continue ascending toward the Mt. Shavano and Tabeguache Peak trailhead.
The trail features an unpaved surface that is bumpy, rocky, and rutted throughout, with notable whoops appearing along the second half of the drive. Despite these features, the road remains wide enough (typically one to two vehicles wide) to allow oncoming traffic to pass comfortably, making it a highly accessible option for stock sport utility vehicles. Multiple dispersed campsites are scattered along the route, providing excellent opportunities for overlanding, while also offering direct access to Segment 14 of the Colorado Trail.
