We lived in Canon City, where this rustic road to Cripple Creek originates, and have frequently gone this as an alternate route. It is scenic beyond belief, and takes you back to the Old West. Not for the fainthearted, as it is narrow, one lane dirt/gravel, with sheer cliffs on part of the route. One time, as we brought visitors... More

In 1956, my Dad took a short cut from Canyon City to Cripple Creek. I have been talking about it ever since. It was late in the day and darkness was not far away. My Mother was scared all the way. As a 10 year-old kid, I was hanging out the window and looking down the cliff to the river... More

Rustic drive, sometimes narrow, but it's worth going slow. It's on the Gold Belt Scenic Byways Tour. Get a self-directed tour from one of the local Visitors Centers - it's worth it.

I have traveled this particular road quite a bit, It is always an enjoyable drive, just a bit long at times when some "tourists" are not familiar with the road and may be a little "scared".

Spent the hour.5 to travel but were well rewarded with beautiful scenery and some wild life. Loved it.

The last time we took it, there was a herd of bighorn sheep mulling on the road. Great drive, does not need 4 wheel drive, but don't drive it if raining.

We started out and thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the drive. So beautiful but the road is narrow gravel and no shoulder whatsoever. We were doing good until we hit the area where the road obviously gets its name. I could not stand the thought of how isolated and dangerous this section was (and with 17 more miles to... More

It had been @ 19 years since I'd taken the Shelf Road but we were exploring this August and the wife wanted to take it. We just gotten off the Phantom Canyon Road and went to the DQ in Canon City. I was going to take the High Park Road back to Cripple Creek but the wife said well lets... More

SOOO enjoyed the ride. Mostly one lane so be prepared to move over and let others by. Gravel and dirt road, Watch the curves some people fly around them. No facuilities for stopping, but several pull off areas for walking by the creek or photo shoots. Great for bikers but is about a 20 mile drive , maybe more. Short... More