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Colorado is known for high-elevation roads with stunning views. Trails like Black Bear Pass and Red Cone are obviously on that list. And Saxon Mountain deserves to be right there with them. With an exciting ascent, historical significance, and picturesque mountain scenery, Saxon Mountain is a must-visit for experienced wheelers. The trail features a continuous 4x4 climb with 20 steep switchbacks and a 4,500-foot elevation gain, culminating at an 11,500-foot summit. Along the route, you'll encounter rocky and exposed shelf roads that are both thrilling and challenging, even for the most seasoned drivers. The views are magnificent but don't take your eyes off the trail.
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Start a 7-day Free TrialSaxon Mountain Road is a 6.6-mile straight-through route beginning in Georgetown and running to the top of the mountain overlooking the town. The rocky trail climbs over 3000 feet and has 20 switchbacks to negotiate. It has three sections considered obstacles and plenty of tight shelf roads.
Full exposure on shelf roads for a large portions of the trail.
This road is prone to rockslides and conditions can change quickly in bad weather.
Continue past this intersection with a few private drives and the Old Saxon Mountain Road that leads to more private properties and dead ends.
Follow this switchback up and past this small parking lot. This small parking area is mainly for locals and hikers parking at the bottom.
While Saxon Mountain is not a seasonal trail. Gates are here in case the trail needs to be closed for safety purposes.
This short spur leads to a small campsite best suited for a single-family.
This old mining spur dead-ends after a few hundred feet.
This is one of the shelf areas that can feel a little sketchy. This old rockslide is well-worn but causes you to get very off-camber.
Old mining cars and piping used in mining operations are scattered on both sides of the trail. Take only pictures if you stop to look around.
This is the spur road for the Anglo-Saxon Mine ruins. They are not accessible, though, and are blocked by a rock slide.
Stay straight past these old cabin ruins. A large campsite behind these buildings can accommodate a small group of 3-4 vehicles and a couple of families/tents.
Most people are talking about this obstacle when referring to this trail's danger level. This old rock slide has a few breathtaking moments of driving up and over (or coming down with the town below your rig's nose), and every driver should pay attention and go slow when going through this. The rock is not typically loose, and as long as the trail is dry, there should be no issues climbing up and over or coming down this obstacle.
The site can fit a family and a vehicle or two on this small spur.
Stay straight past Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch). This trail leads back to Idaho Springs.
This gate marks the technical end of the Forest Service Road. You can turn around by turning left here and quickly looping around the summit.
From the summit, you'll marvel at the splendid panoramas of various mountain ranges within the Southern Rocky Mountains from two vantage points - north and west. Gazing west and south, the Front Range, including Saxon Mountain, unfolds before you. Further west, the Tenmile Range boasts prominent peaks like Quandary Peak and the Breckenridge Ski Resort. The Mosquito Range has several majestic 14,000-foot peaks, such as Mount Lincoln, Mount Democrat, and Mount Bross. Further southwest, the Sawatch Range is home to Colorado's tallest mountains, including Mount Elbert and Mount Massive.
Turning your gaze to the north, you'll see the Indian Peaks Wilderness, a subrange of the Front Range. This area is celebrated for its magnificent peaks, such as Apache Peak, Navajo Peak, and North and South Arapaho Peaks. Moreover, you may also spot Longs Peak, the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park, situated farther north in the Front Range. Remember that weather conditions, like clouds or haze, can affect the visibility of these ranges and their peaks.
From here, you can pick up the trail where you came and either head back down Saxon Mountain or continue to Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch) by turning right at Waypoint 14.
Camping is allowed along this road under Ordinance 4 in Clear Creek County. Those with a party of 12 or more must get a permit from the Historic Public Lands Commission. Many of the established sites are noted as waypoints. The largest is at Waypoint 10, with views into Georgetown. Additional primitive camping is available on the connecting Lamartine Road (AKA South Spring Gulch) and that trail network.
The adjacent Historic Waldorf Wagon Road, AKA McClellan Mountain, and Argentine Pass have several dispersed primitive campsites along their banks. These trails also have the Tundra Hut, a privately owned cabin that can house a large group at 11,000 feet.
Geneva Park Campground is located near Upper Geneva and offers 26 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. The campground is open from late May to early September, providing tent and RV camping and hiking and fishing opportunities.
Burning Bear Campground is located on Guanella Pass just south of the mountain and offers 18 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. The campground is open from late May to early September, providing tent and RV camping and hiking and fishing opportunities.
Guanella Pass Campground is a popular campground located about 7 miles from Georgetown. It has 18 sites and is open from May through September.
If you prefer more traditional lodging, several hotel options are available in Georgetown and Idaho Springs. Several options are the Hotel Chateau Chamonix, Georgetown Mountain Inn, and Microtel. The hotels offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurants, and pools.
Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain (Formerly Old Squaw Pass), located just outside of Idaho Springs, offers a unique opportunity to stay at one of the few remaining fire lookouts in the United States. This lookout is available to rent from the Forest Service and offers breathtaking views from its floor-to-ceiling windows. A mile hike from the trail, you can spend the night with up to four people at 11,500' elevation. Follow this link for details and reservations.
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