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

Total Mileage

2.7

Trailhead Elevation

10,580'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

615'

Route

Download .GPX File

Route Description

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

Drive 1-70 14.3 miles east from Vail or 5.4 miles west from Copper Mountain Resort. Take Exit 190. From the rest area side of the highway, continue straight through the 4-way intersection and get on to FS Road 709 (Shrine Pass Road), drive for approximately 2.5 miles. You will arrive at the top of the pass where there is an outhouse and the Shrine Ridge Trailhead parking area on the left. Just before the entrance to the trailhead parking, turn left 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