As the name suggests, this was once an old highway over the mountains, climbing to over 4,000 vertical feet, up a semi-maintained gravel and dirt road into Uncompahgre National Forest. Before connecting with Divide Road at the summit, you will wind through colorful canyons with a notable change in vegetation as you twist up the switchbacks. The trail can have deep corrugation washboard bumps, and sections may be rutted after being graded for the season. There are numerous primitive campsites along the route, with the most and best being at higher elevations. Use caution around corners as this road is commonly used by large trucks pulling campers.