Rugged Adventures Episode 11: Gold, Grit, and Granite Route
With Colt Builds It
Catch a Rocky Mountain High as you pass through Colorado mining towns that blend dirt roads with mining history and terrain that features waterfalls, caves, high mountains, desert, and cattle ranges. Overlanders and off-roaders tackle everything from high-clearance, two-track roads to must-have-4WD rock crawling, all while exploring some of Colorado’s best backcountry routes.
New onX Offroad Route:
Gold, Grit, and Granite Route
This features a wide range of conditions and terrain, so you’ll want your rig and yourself well-prepared. Here are a few tips for planning and exploring the Gold, Grit, and Granite Route:
- Longest Distance Without Fuel: Fuel in Westcliffe on Day 2 is important as there are no fuel stops in Medano Pass or Blanca Peak. If you are short on range, you can pay a premium in Sand Dunes National Park (if they are open!) or drive into the towns of Alamosa or Fort Garland for fuel.
- Permits & Licensing: No special permits are needed for this route except there is a very small fee for entering Sand Dunes National Park. Since the route travels through Medano Pass into the Sand Dunes, you pay the fee on your way out. If you want to bypass the small fee, you can travel through Medanos Back Door trail as an alternate route to Zapata Falls and Blanca Peak Trailhead.
- Camping: Both developed campgrounds and primitive dispersed camping options are available throughout the entire region. Campfires are typically allowed, but check with local restrictions at the time of your travel for any fire bans.
- Best Time to Visit: Late summer, as many parts of this route run above tree line and snow can still be a factor late into July some years. Early fall can bring some pretty colors, but you can also experience flurries of snow as early as September.
- Blanca peak should not be done without a winch and one form of locking device on one or both axles.
Save The Folder; Explore The Route
Download Gold, Grit, and Granite Route trip Folder to save it right to your onX Offroad App and share it with friends.
