Clear Creek Canyon Road
Old railroad grade to silver mining ruins
Clear Creek Canyon Road follows the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad grade from Georgetown up toward Grays and Torreys Peaks, past the ruins of Silver Plume’s glory days. The road starts easy but gets progressively nastier as you climb, with loose rock, off-camber sections, and a few spots where the original railroad cuts leave you hugging cliffsides with barely room for a full-size truck. Stevens Gulch junction marks where things get serious — beyond here it’s loose shale and exposure that’ll pucker your shorts.
Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle the first half, but the upper reaches demand 4WD and confidence on narrow shelf roads. Summer’s your window — snow closes this one hard from October through May. No permits, but Georgetown’s your last chance for fuel and supplies. The payoff is massive: ruins of old mining camps, killer views of the Continental Divide, and access to some of Colorado’s easiest 14ers if you want to stretch your legs.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12400 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Georgetown, Colorado |
| Land manager | Arapaho National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run Clear Creek Canyon Road without modifications?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle handles this trail fine. You'll want low-range for the steeper rocky sections, but no lift or armor is required.
When does Clear Creek Canyon Road open after winter, and can you run it in late spring?
The trail is typically accessible June through October. Snow lingers at elevation near the 12,400-ft max well into late spring — attempting it before June risks getting stuck on ice or in deep snowpack with no easy turnaround.
Do you need a permit to drive Clear Creek Canyon Road?
No permit required. The trail runs through Arapaho National Forest and is free to access. Standard forest rules apply — pack out your trash and don't cut new tracks off the established road.
What's the hardest section, and what makes it technical?
The upper portion near treeline throws loose rock and eroded shelf road at you with a meaningful drop-off on one side. It's not extreme, but the combination of altitude, narrow track width, and exposed ledges will get your attention if you're not used to Colorado mountain roads.
Are there reliable water sources on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route, so a water filter is useful if you're camping dispersed overnight — don't count on those crossings being potable without treatment. Georgetown is the nearest town for gas, sitting right at the eastern trailhead, so fuel up there before you climb.
Trail track
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