shelf road

I am big on Jeeping the 4-wheel trails and roads in Colorado. I like to see just how much trouble I can get in and still live to get back home. I want to see scenes that the public does not get to see because it is too hard or dangerous to get there. This is the best road I have ever found that is not dangerous. It is magnificent specially if you take it from Cripple Creek south. The perfect day is to take the Phantom Canyon road up to Cripple Creek and the Shelf Road down. The road has the best vistas of any all weather dirt road in Colorado. It is not one that I would take my Porsche down, but you don't need 4-wheel drive, or even a suv. I have seen many small cars on this road and they do just fine. Now to the warnings. If you are going down the hill, you will be on the opposite side of the road from the "shelf" It is named that for a reason. I would not want to fall off. trust me it would ruin your whole day. I have done this road many times in a pickup and several times on a motorcycle. "Enduro" I would not do it on my Harley, because it is washboarded most of the year and sometimes really rough. Take your time and stop along the way to take pictures. If you find a place to stop around the creek, be sure to keep your camera with you. I have seen more bears on this road than anywhere in the area. There is also a window rock that is fantastic. The only down side to this road is that some prehensile tailed vandal had built a house above the road that you have to look at if you are traveling north. Some people have no sense of beauty, I hope if you travel this road you do.

This road is best traveled heading south on it. That way if you meet any vehicles you are on the inside of the shelf. Higher clearance vehicle is better for peace of mind but four wheel drive was not needed. Not scary just not your typical wide paved road. Gorgeous views!

Some of the best limestone rock climbing in the country. Beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristobalite range, camping and fishing available.

Just outside of Cripple Creek is this dirt road that follows a creek and gives way to spectacular views of rock formations. If it has been raining a lot recently, you might consider asking about the conditions of the road, but if it is dry, you can confidently drive this route.The road is narrow, but there is always room to pass traffic coming the other way, even if one of you has to drive to the side and motion the other one on.Give yourself plenty of time to drive this one for three reasons: the path can be like a washboard in sections, there may be oncoming cars around the hairpin turns and you'll want to enjoy the majesty.As some have said, you can stop of on some spots along the route. Some of the spots are okay for overnight camping or at least for a lunch along the creek.If you drive at a slow to moderate pace, this is not a white knuckle ride. Don't be scared by the "not for the faint of heart" comments.

The shelf road is a narrow, gravelly dirt road that leaves Cripple Creek and winds down to Canon City Colorado. The trip takes about an hour on a dry day when there hasnt been rain. It is a 4 WHEEL ROAD! Usually the raod is rough with rivulets where the rain has eroded the road. There is a section of the road midway that is very narrow-1 vehicle only. There is no guard rail any where so the faint of heart stay home! The drop off on one side is steep and far. But overall if you like few cars, beauty, adventure and you know road etiquette for driving this type of road, you will love it. Then return to Victor Colorado via Phantom Canyon Road!

This is an interesting drive with some breathtaking views. We have traveled quite a bit in our Jeep, and I feel this isn't a particularly challenging road. It is worth the time to see the scenery.

This was the best 'shortcut' of our trip through Colorado. Take a picnic basket and enjoy this fabulous thrilling drive with rewarding views. 4-wheel drive is NOT needed when it's dry.

I found this road while hiking around Cripple Creek. I wish I had found it earlier as time only allowed for me to hike around 2.5 miles in and back. The scenery is very nice. I saw a fox and many chipmunks and birds during the hike. The road was all dirt and gravel, with minimal auto traffic.

I drive this road everyday to and from work no matter what the weather is. I love this scenic drive. Most people that drive Shelf Road have a death grip on the steering wheel or the OS bar. That road also has lots of wildlife to see as well as scenery. Take your time and enjoy this beautiful landscape.

We would have had a difficult time finding this scenic drive if we had not read another reviewer's directions. This is a remote and beautiful drive and the name Shelf Drive is appropriate because it is literally a one lane shelf on the side of a sometimes very deep canyon. The views are quite spectacular and the reward is that you end up in Cripple Creek where there is the best ice cream store or free popcorn and coffee at one of the many casinos.

If you want a shortcut to Cripple Creek this is definitely a shortcut, but if you mean time then don't go here at night. in the fog. Late night we GPS this road not knowing what we were up against and once you start you can't go back. The fear factor of the unknown becomes evident the first turn. It took me and my wife 4 and a half hours to make it to Cripple Creek in a Chrysler 300 thank goodness for front wheel drive and our ipad. Made it to motel told the manager how we got here and he said he had never heard of anyone going this route at night. If I had to do it over again I would have spent the night on the road until daybreak and gone ahead. winterstorm came in that night and snowed 10 inches. glad I decided to go on. Don't do it at night. You will miss the scenery.

I ended up on this road unintentionally (thanks Verizon!) and was initially somewhat freaked out, but this is actually a beautiful and memorable drive. Apparently constructed in the late 1800's, Shelf Road remains a relic - single narrow lane with some outcroppings for passing - although I would not want any part of having to deal with navigating around an oncoming car. If you have a choice, I would take this drive south from Cripple Creek rather than North into Cripple Creek. That way you can stay on the inside of road in the event of an oncoming car, and you don't have to flirt with the end of your life on the outside path. This road is a must for the thrill seeker.

My gps took me on this 15 mile single lane gravel road. You cannot turn back once you start as it is at least 500 foot sheer drop, no guard rails. I was looking for a short cut from Canon city to Cripple Creek. Not for the faint of heart!

If you are on the fence about taking the Shelf Road to Canon CIty... Get off and go for a wonderful drive through the back country. I read reviews of people saying that you needed a 4 wheel drive vehicle to take the road, and while I can see that if there was snow or something like that, but this road was more maintained then some others that we traveled on our trip. We took the rd. in a Bonneville which is far from a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle and never had a problem anywhere along this route. It took us about 2 hours to make the 14 mi journey, but we stopped along the way several times to take pictures and soak in the scenery. We will be back for this one.....

The road was single lane with areas that you can pull over to allow oncoming traffic to pass. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view and hike or just walk around. the average speed is 15 to 20 mph, so figure a couple of hours in the car. The scenery was incredible. We only saw 3 other vehicles on the road the entire time. My 3 tween and teen boys loved it. Signs recommended a 4 wheel drive, but it was no problem with our SUV, 2wd. A car could be an issue, but we did see one on the shelf drive. Beware, it is a small road with a drop off on one side. Take it slow and you'll be fine.