Click on photo to turn around and look back down the road.
This is the end of the road, 11.3 miles up from Lake Granby on
County Road 4 and Road 123.
Here are your detailed directions.
You can drive almost to the "trailhead" with a 2-wheel drive vehicle.
Your journey begins when you turn west onto County Road 4, where
it makes a "T" with Hwy 34 near the north end of Lake Granby.
The intersection is by Dillie Docks and the Hwy 34 Storage Center.
A sign says, "National Forest Access". Set your trip odometer to zero.
2.1 miles up Road 4 you cross a cattle guard into the Arapaho National
Forest. You'll drive past some beautiful aspen groves along your right.
At the 3 mile point you'll meet a major fork in the road. Take the left
westward fork. You'll cross a large parking area and saddle that is used
in the winter by people who trailer their snowmobiles to this staging area.
You are on what the National Forest maps call Road 123.
You'll descend into a valley and at 4.4 miles cross Stillwater Creek.
There are pleasant camping areas here and excellent views of the
Indian Peaks. The road now begins to climb; at the 6.2 mile point
you have dramatic views of Lake Granby (try photographing this view
late in the afternoon or at sunset). 6.8 miles up from Hwy. 34 you'll
see the close-up view of Gravel Mountain shown in this series.
At 8.5 miles there is a major fork in the road. Take the right fork to Stillwater
Pass. Continue for 2.3 miles. You now arrive at a crucial fork. It is time to leave
Road 123 and take the left fork called "Gravel Mountain 4x4 Route".
With care, you can drive a regular vehicle up this road to a convenient turnaround
area 4/10th of a mile up the road. For 4x4 vehicles, there are large rocks in the road
further ahead. Go slowly and you'll take care of your passengers and your car.
About 1/2 mile up the 4x4 road you take the left fork that climbs up and follows
the main route. You might see blue ribbons marking the correct way. One mile up
the 4x4 road, STOP. You'll be where the road narrows as shown in the photo
at top. There is a small turnaround area and some ribbons marking this terminus.
Gravel Mountain is now just a 2 mile walk away. If you check a contour map,
you'll see that there is a long high ridge that runs SE from Gravel Mountain.
Follow the northern edge of this ridge. There are some blue ribbons and
stone cairns to help guide you. You get to start at almost 11,000 feet high.
Take your time and enjoy. Send us a postcard of your memories!
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