If you are headed up Webster Pass Road for an afternoon of off-roading south of Montezuma, you may want to consider a trip over Red Cone Pass. Of course, this is with the understanding that you are an experienced off-road driver with nerves of steel.
Red Cone Pass is a towering 12,801 foot summit that can only be accessed via a steep gravel road. Along the mountain ridge towards Red Cone Pass, the one way road becomes narrow with tremendous vertical drops on both sides. Once traversed, vehicles will travel down a series of switchbacks to the ghost town of Webster.
Red Cone Pass Accessibility
Red Cone Pass is one of the most intimidating off-road trails in Colorado and is reserved for those with a large amount of alpine driving experience. The route to reach Red Cone Pass is full of potholes, loose rock, and staggering cliffs that have injured and killed visitors. At the summit, there is room for about 15 vehicles to park and enjoy the scenery.
Seasonality – Red Cone Pass is best used between May and October for OHV. In the winter, the pass is not maintained, but access is still available via snowshoe.
Vehicle Restrictions – Only 4×4 vehicles with significant clearances should attempt to traverse Red Cone Pass. As the route is very rocky, it is strongly recommended to be prepared for a flat tire.
Activities near Red Cone Pass
As you will notice along the way, there are a significant number of dispersed campsites along Webster Pass Rd en route to Red Cone Pass. Alternatively, there is paid camping available nearby at the Hall Valley Campground and Handcart Campground managed by the US Forest Service.
Red Cone Pass lies within Pike National Forest, where there are many more options for off-roading and enjoying the outdoors.
Details
Address: Handcart Gulch Rd, after Webster Pass on Webster Pass Rd, Grant to Montezuma, CO (near Keystone)
Season: Summer (snowed over until usually late July)
Elevation: 12,801 ft / 3,902 m
County: Park County
Mountain Range: Front Range
Coordinates: 39.5267° N, 105.8225° W
Access: Steep, Gravel Webster Pass / Handcart Gulch Rd.
