4WD High Clearance to Shrine Mountain Inn from Red Cliff via FS Road 709 (Shrine Pass Road)

Total Mileage

9.3

Trailhead Elevation

8,809'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,599'

Route

Download .GPX File

Route Description

Summer Driving Directions: 4-Wheel Drive/High Clearance Recommended

Drive I-70 5 miles west from Vail or 55 miles east from Glenwood Springs to the Minturn exit (Exit 171). Travel south on Highway 24 approximately 10 miles to a left turn-off that leads a short distance down into a canyon and into Red Cliff.

FS Road 709 leaves from the northeast corner of Red Cliff. It starts out as Turkey Creek Road, which you will follow for the first 2.5 miles. Turkey Creek Road will then slightly turn left and become Shrine Pass Road. Continue on Shrine Pass Road for about 4.1 miles. Next, turn left to stay on Shrine Pass Road and continue for about 2.3 miles. You will arrive at the top of Shrine Pass where there is an outhouse and the Shrine Mountain Trailhead parking area on the right. Just after the entrance to the trailhead parking, turn right on to the Shrine Mountain Inn “driveway” and past the property’s gate (if closed it will not be locked, just enter and close the gate behind you). Continue on the driveway for approximately 1/3 mile. Jay’s Cabin is the first cabin on the right, followed by Chuck’s, and to get to Walter’s keep going – the road veers slightly left and dead-ends at the parking spots for Walter’s Cabin.

Parking

There are signs marking where guests should park for each cabin. From the parking at Walter’s it is a very short walk to the cabin, a gear cart is provided (please return after use unless your group has booked Walter’s Up and Down exclusively). There are no gear carts at Jay’s or Chuck’s.

Transportation