Mount Alto
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| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Gold Hill |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 2 |
FR456 |
1.40 |
8,560 to 8,720 ft. |
None |
1/2 hour |
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| County: |
Boulder |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder Ranger District |
2140 Yarmouth, Boulder, CO 80301 |
(303)541-2500 |
| Summary: |
Mount Alto is a network of roads between the Switzerland Trail and the Gold Hill road. |
| Attractions: |
|
Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - Closed by heavy snows. |
| Best Time: |
June - May be open unless heavy snows
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Best |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
|
| Camping: |
There are some dispersed camp sites in the trees at the top. |
| Base Camp: |
Good area to base camp with access to other 4WD roads. |
| Fall Colors: |
Good - There are some groves of aspen trees. |
| Navigation: |
From Nederland, CO head north on N Bridge Street toward W 1st Street for 423 ft. At the traffic circle, take the 4th exit onto W 2nd Street and go 0.3 miles. Continue to follow CO-72 W for 8.0 miles. Turn right onto Gold Hill Rd and go 4.5 miles. Turn right onto FR 456, the Mount Alto road.
To access from the south, from Nederland, CO head north on N Bridge Street toward W 1st Street for 423 ft. At the traffic circle, take the 4th exit onto W 2nd Street and go 0.3 miles. Continue to follow CO-72 W for 8.0 miles. Turn right onto Gold Hill Rd and go 4.1 miles. Turn right onto Switzerland Trail and go 0.5 miles. Turn left onto FR 456, the Mount Alto road.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
The Mount Alto road network is a group of roads that form loops and connections between the Switzerland Trail 4WD road and County Rd 52, the Gold Hill road. From the Switzerland Trail side there are two access points. One is up a steep hill at a shallow curve. The other is from the north side of the old railroad cut up a hill.
The steep hill has some erosion areas that you will have to navigate through them. If you make the climb up you will be on top of a wide ridge. From here the road network loops in and out of the trees. There are some small prospect holes in the area, but for the most part loops get used for camping access.
If you continue on the main road you will come to an intersection. Both roads will go to County Rd 52, which is a graded road. To the right is Gold Hill, to the left the County road will head to Colorado Hwy 72, the Peak to Peak Highway.
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Data updated - June 12, 2016
4WD Road driven - June 24, 2010
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