You may have the heart-pounding adventure you were looking for on the treacherous Phantom Canyon Road. It is a gravel road in Colorado, United States. It curves around two enormous, 300 meters (980 ft) mountain faces. Two rock-blasted tunnels were constructed to construct this route.
Where is Phantom Canyon road located?
Phantom Canyon Road is located in Colorado, USA. It is a scenic drive that starts near Canon City and passes through the Wet Mountain Valley and the Wet Mountain Range, leading to the top of Phantom Canyon. The road offers stunning views of the mountains and is a popular destination for tourists and adventure seekers.
You can locate this road on the map below:
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Information about the Phantom Canyon road :
A popular destination for thrill seekers and those seeking a distinctive driving experience, the road is about 56 kilometers (35 miles) long and features steep grades, sharp turns, and narrow sections. With its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, meadows, and streams, the road winds through the mountains.
In order to connect the nearby mining towns, the route was initially constructed as a toll road in the late 1800s. Today, it is a well-liked tourist destination and a wonderful way to take in the splendor of the Colorado mountains. All vehicles can travel on the road, but it is only advised for experienced drivers and those who are accustomed to driving on sloping, narrow roads.
Preview of the route:
Phantom Canyon Road, a scenic route through the Wet Mountain Valley and the Wet Mountain Range in Colorado, United States, provides breathtaking mountain views. Visitors can enjoy an exciting and difficult drive along the route that begins close to Canon City and ascends to the top of Phantom Canyon.
You can obviously have a preview of that drive. Here is a YouTube video that shows a part of the road:
How to get to Phantom Canyon road?
If you are coming from the north, for example from Denver, take road 67 to Victor. If you are coming from the south, drive to Penrose or Canyon City, then turn on the road.
This lovely picturesque byway provides several photo opportunities. One of Colorado’s most beautiful and interesting drives is this one.
Not so far from this road, you can also drive the Monarch Pass or the Loveland Pass.
You can visualize how to get there on this approximative map of the drive:
Is Phantom Canyon road open?
Since it may be impacted by a variety of factors, including weather conditions, maintenance, and other unforeseen events, the route is generally not open all year long. In general, snow and ice during the winter months make it more likely for roads in mountainous regions to close. Before attempting to drive on this route, it is best to check with local authorities or conduct online research on the most recent weather conditions.
This road is fantastic for those that love a little adventure. You will experience the exhilaration and the chance to explore the breathtaking surroundings as you go down the winding narrow dirt road that passes through the lovely canyon. That the Phantom Canyon Road is a part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway is not surprising.
Picture credit: Scott Sanford on flickr.com / Jeffrey Beall – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19208991
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