Cooper Loop  |
| Maps: |
|
| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Leadville North |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy 1 |
FR 101.C |
2.61 |
10,560 to 10,800 ft. |
NA |
30-45 min |
|
| County: |
Lake |
| Adopted by: |
|
|
|
| Managed by: |
San Isabel National Forest,
Leadville Ranger District |
810 Front Street
Leadville, CO 80461 |
719-486-0749 |
| Summary: |
Cooper Loop 4WD road connects the Ski Cooper parking lot off of Tennessee Pass to the East Tennessee, FR102, 4WD road. |
| Attractions: |
|
Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - Closed by heavy snows |
| Best Time: |
June - May still be closed by snow
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Early snows may block the road |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail - Hike (at Tennessee Pass) |
| Camping: |
There are no dispersed campsites along the road. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads around Leadville. |
| Fall Colors: |
Poor - Mainly pine forest. |
| Navigation: |
From Leadville, CO head north on Harrison Ave toward W 6th Street for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto E 9th Street and go 0.1 miles. Turn left and go 1.0 mile. Turn left onto US-24 West and go 8.7 miles. Turn right onto Tennesee Pass Road and go 0.3 miles. Curve to the right in the large parking area and go 0.3 miles. Turn right on to a single lane road instead of going to the equipment shed. This is the start of the Cooper Loop road.
From Red Cliff head south on US-24 E and go 12.4 miles. Turn left onto Tennesee Pass Road and go 0.3 miles. Curve to the right in the large parking area and go 0.3 miles. Turn right on to a single lane road instead of going to the equipment shed. This is the start of the Cooper Loop road.
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| History: |
|
| Description: |
Starting from Ski Cooper parking lot, the Cooper Loop road heads along an open area on the west side of the large equipment shed for the ski area. The easy two track road will head into the heavey pines on the south side of Cooper Hill.
 |
West end near Ski Cooper
photo by:
Adam M |
After a while the road will come out into an open area to the east of Thayer Gulch.
 |
Meadow at west end
photo by:
Adam M |
The road will pass through a few more open areas before coming to a spur road on the right that goes to one of the ski resort yurts. Past this spur you will cross a longer open area and then enter back into the forest. Shortly there will be half a dozen yurts along the right side of the road.
 |
Yurt along the road
photo by:
Adam M |
Past the yurts the road will head down the side of Cooper Hill to the head of East Tennessee Creek and connect with the East Tennessee, FR102, 4WD road.
 |
East end of the road
photo by:
Adam M |
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Data updated - December 29, 2020
4WD Road driven - September 6, 2020
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