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A guided 4x4 half‑day that climbs La Plata Canyon to about 12,000 feet, this tour combines geology, mining history, and sweeping San Juan views. Perfect for travelers who want high‑country scenery without a long hike.
A guided 4x4 half‑day that climbs La Plata Canyon to about 12,000 feet, this tour combines geology, mining history, and sweeping San Juan views. Perfect for travelers who want high‑country scenery without a long hike.
At 8 a.m. the convoy rides out where County Road 124 sheds asphalt for dust, engines murmuring beneath ponderosa and aspen.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company LLC · Durango, Colorado
At 8 a.m. the convoy rides out where County Road 124 sheds asphalt for dust, engines murmuring beneath ponderosa and aspen.
Over the next four hours a local guide steers passengers up into the La Plata Mountains, climbing to roughly 12,000 feet at Kennebec Pass and delivering broad San Juan views that demand a second look.
This half‑day 4x4 tour moves through San Juan National Forest, tracing routes once used by Ute people and later prospected by 19th‑century miners. Geology here is unapologetically visible: tilted volcanic and sedimentary beds, glacially scoured bowls, and talus fields that mark the high alpine transition. The guide illuminates flora and fauna—stunted krummholz, aspen groves, marmots—and points out rusting foundations that recall an extractive past.
Culturally the area sits at the intersection of mountain recreation and mining heritage; the Colorado Trail clips the high country near Kennebec Pass, offering hikers a tougher continuation of the scenery seen from the truck.
For visitors the logistics are simple: plan for a 4‑hour window, free parking at the CR 124 lot, and a relatively low‑impact ride suitable for most ages. Expect thin air above 10,000 feet—move slowly, sip water, and layer up for sharp temperature swings. Footwear should be sturdy for short stops, cameras ready for abrupt panoramas, and sunscreen applied early. If weather deteriorates the road can turn soft or snowy; flexible timing and respect for fragile alpine vegetation will keep the day both safe and memorable.
easy.
4 hours.
Suitable for most ages and basic fitness levels; mostly seated travel with short, optional stops for walking.
Yes; the route is driven in a 4x4 vehicle with minimal physical demands—short, optional walks at viewpoints are the only physical activity.
The route reaches about 12,000 feet; mild altitude symptoms are possible—move slowly, hydrate, and avoid heavy exertion before the tour.
Facilities are limited; plan accordingly—there may be a portable restroom at the trailhead but none at high alpine stops.
Winter conditions can close or make dirt roads impassable; operators may cancel or reroute depending on snow and safety.
The La Plata high country was seasonally used by Ute people and later attracted 19th‑century miners; faint foundations and tailings still dot side drainages.
Alpine vegetation is fragile—stay on roads and designated stop areas, pack out waste, and follow guide instructions to minimize impact.
Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company LLC operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
At 8 a.m. the convoy rides out where County Road 124 sheds asphalt for dust, engines murmuring beneath ponderosa and aspen.
At 8 a.m. the convoy rides out where County Road 124 sheds asphalt for dust, engines murmuring beneath ponderosa and aspen.
Over the next four hours a local guide steers passengers up into the La Plata Mountains, climbing to roughly 12,000 feet at Kennebec Pass and delivering broad San Juan views that demand a second look.
This half‑day 4x4 tour moves through San Juan National Forest, tracing routes once used by Ute people and later prospected by 19th‑century miners. Geology here is unapologetically visible: tilted volcanic and sedimentary beds, glacially scoured bowls, and talus fields that mark the high alpine transition. The guide illuminates flora and fauna—stunted krummholz, aspen groves, marmots—and points out rusting foundations that recall an extractive past.
Culturally the area sits at the intersection of mountain recreation and mining heritage; the Colorado Trail clips the high country near Kennebec Pass, offering hikers a tougher continuation of the scenery seen from the truck.
For visitors the logistics are simple: plan for a 4‑hour window, free parking at the CR 124 lot, and a relatively low‑impact ride suitable for most ages. Expect thin air above 10,000 feet—move slowly, sip water, and layer up for sharp temperature swings. Footwear should be sturdy for short stops, cameras ready for abrupt panoramas, and sunscreen applied early. If weather deteriorates the road can turn soft or snowy; flexible timing and respect for fragile alpine vegetation will keep the day both safe and memorable.