Mountain roads are fun to ride and many provide breath-taking vistas. Colorado is full of roads with amazing views, exhilarating curves and high altitude passes making it one of my favorite states to ride in and US 6 south from I-75 to CO 9 south to Alma, Co is one such 44 mile ride.
Starting at the intersection of I75 and US 6, near the Loveland Ski Area, US 6 has an elevation of 10,600, but rises as the road twists and turns up the mountain for 4 miles to Loveland Pass at 11,990.
A convenient pullout at the pass allows individuals to take in the scenic vistas. On both sides of the road a short walking ascent puts you above 12,000 feet and provides awesome panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.
Continuing south from the pass the elevation drops quickly via switchbacks. In 3.5 miles the elevations drops almost 1,000 feet where a long sweeper takes you past Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. At an elevation of 11,000 at the base and a summit of 13,000+ the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is the highest skiable terrain in North America (Arapahoebasin.com).
The next 6 miles descends with gentle curves into the town of Keystone. At the western end of Keystone US 6 intersects with CO 1 south towards Breckenridge. The road runs besides Dillon Reservoir and intersects CO 9 about 6 miles north of Breckenridge. US 9 is pretty straight going into Breckenridge, but the surroundings mountains are beautiful.
This stretch of road is well worth riding. The views are indescribable and the road is a blast! Any rider would enjoy the road, the views and the towns along the way.
For some great photos and another riders take on Loveland Pass check out Redleg's blog post - LINK.
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| US 6 north of Loveland Pass |
Video heading up to Loveland Pass from I-70
(turn your speakers down, wind noise is bad)
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| West view from Loveland Pass |
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| US 6 south of Loveland Pass |
Continuing south from the pass the elevation drops quickly via switchbacks. In 3.5 miles the elevations drops almost 1,000 feet where a long sweeper takes you past Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. At an elevation of 11,000 at the base and a summit of 13,000+ the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is the highest skiable terrain in North America (Arapahoebasin.com).
The next 6 miles descends with gentle curves into the town of Keystone. At the western end of Keystone US 6 intersects with CO 1 south towards Breckenridge. The road runs besides Dillon Reservoir and intersects CO 9 about 6 miles north of Breckenridge. US 9 is pretty straight going into Breckenridge, but the surroundings mountains are beautiful.
Riding pass Dillon Reservoir
Heading south out of Breckenridge (9,600 ft) US 9 rises for the next 9.5 miles to Hoosier Pass (11,542 ft) with some nice switchbacks prior to the pass. At the summit of the pass is a nice turnout area to park and enjoy the scenery.
Coming off Hoosier Pass on US 9 south
Leaving the summit there is a 5.7 miles leisurely descent into Alma, the highest incorporated municipality in the US with permanent residents (10,578 ft). From Alma the road descends for 6 miles to Fairplay (9,953 ft) and intersect with US 285.This stretch of road is well worth riding. The views are indescribable and the road is a blast! Any rider would enjoy the road, the views and the towns along the way.
For some great photos and another riders take on Loveland Pass check out Redleg's blog post - LINK.
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Thomas are you in Colorado?
ReplyDeleteNo sir, I live in Texas.
DeleteI should have been clearer, your posting made it sound like you were riding in Colorado recently.
DeleteI spent a week in SW Colorado in June and then a week riding around between Colorado Springs and Estes Park in July. Just now writing about some of the roads and places.
ReplyDeleteSure look like fun roads with beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was an awesome trip with spectacular views.
ReplyDeleteWe have some spectacular rides out in western Colorado too! Unaweep Canyon, Million Dollar Highway, Colorado Nat'l Monument are a few.
ReplyDeleteB.D., you are correct. I love the Million Dollar Hwy. Click on the Colorado label/tag at the bottom of the post and you can see previous posts about roads, restaurants... in Colorado.
ReplyDelete