Halfmoon Road to Mount Elbert Trailhead — Sawatch Range Subalpine Approach
Base camp for Colorado's highest ground.
The road leaves US-24 south of Leadville and immediately starts climbing through lodgepole pine alongside Halfmoon Creek. By the time you reach the upper trailhead parking for Mount Elbert — the highest point in the Rockies at 14,440 feet — you’ve already earned the views. The road itself tops out around 10,080 feet at the upper Halfmoon Campground, passing several dispersed sites and the fork toward Mount Massive trailhead. The surface is mostly maintained gravel with rocky embedded sections in the upper mile that’ll test your skid plate clearance. What makes this route worth doing as an overland objective is the full loop potential — push past the trailhead spur down to Twin Lakes for a camp with the Sawatch Range as your backdrop.
Most stock 4WD trucks handle this without drama in dry conditions. The upper section can hold snow through late June and gets slick on early-season melt. Best window is late June through mid-October. No permit required for the road or dispersed camping, but the trailhead fills by 5am on summer weekends — camp back in the trees and beat the hiking crowds. Leadville is 12 miles north and has fuel, food, and a legitimate dive bar worth stopping in.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10080 ft |
| Best season | Late June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Leadville, Colorado |
| Land manager | San Isabel National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run Halfmoon Road without modifications?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance rig handles this fine under normal conditions. The road is rocky in sections with some ruts, but nothing that demands a lift or lockers — just engage 4-Low on the rougher pitches and watch your skid plates.
When does Halfmoon Road actually open after winter, and is snow a real concern?
Late June is the realistic open window, though snow can linger into early July at this elevation. Check with San Isabel National Forest before heading up — roads near 10,000 ft in the Sawatch can close without much warning after late-season storms even in September.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive or camp on Halfmoon Road?
No permit is required to drive the road. The Halfmoon Campground at the trailhead is fee-based, but dispersed camping along the corridor in San Isabel National Forest is free — just follow standard 14-day stay limits and 200-ft setback rules from water.
What's the hardest section of the road and what should I actually be ready for?
The roughest stretch is the upper portion approaching the Mount Elbert and Mount Massive trailheads — rocky, eroded, and narrower with minimal passing room. It's not a white-knuckle trail, but soft-roaders and long-wheelbase rigs should take it slow and watch for sharp embedded rock that'll find your sidewalls.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there reliable water along the route?
Leadville is your last gas stop, roughly 15-20 miles from the trailhead — fill up before you head in. Halfmoon Creek runs alongside much of the road and is a solid water source, but filter everything; cattle and heavy trail traffic upstream make treating non-negotiable.
Trail track
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