Red Cone

The most common starting point for Red Cone is accessed via Park County Road 60 (CR-60), also known as Hall Valley Road or Handcart Gulch Road. From US Highway 285:

• If coming from Fairplay (to the west): Drive east on US-285 for approximately 25 miles. Turn left (north) onto CR-60.
• If coming from Bailey (to the east): Drive west on US-285 for about 14.3 miles. Turn right (north) onto CR-60 at the historic site of Webster. Once on CR-60, continue for about 5 miles. You'll reach an area near Handcart Gulch. The Red Cone trail (often marked as Forest Road 565) typically starts uphill from here. Look for signage for Red Cone or FR 565. The trailhead is in the vicinity of GPS coordinates 39.484200, -105.802760. Staging is often done at or near the Handcart Gulch Campground.

This trail is considered difficult and is for experienced off-road drivers only. You'll encounter steep climbs and descents, with the final descent from Red Cone peak being particularly challenging – it's very steep, narrow, and covered in loose rock, with significant drop-offs on the sides. Errors here can have serious consequences. Expect rocky sections throughout the trail, some tight switchbacks, and potentially muddy spots. Your vehicle needs good ground clearance and 4WD with low-range gearing. Some drivers may find lockers helpful for certain climbs. Be prepared for narrow passages along exposed ridges where the trail drops off sharply.