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At the time of its construction, this was the world's highest paved auto road. It passes a new U.S. Forest Service visitors' center and some rustic picnic shelters before reaching the remains of Crest House (1941, Edwin A. Francis; Justus Roehling, builder; NR) at the 14,264-foot summit. A 1979 propane fire destroyed all but the outer walls of this two-story structure of stone, wood, and glass combining organic and Modernist elements. It housed a coffee shop and gift shop and served as a staging station for search and rescue operations.