A 4wd trail to Maggie Gulch mine
Usa, north-america
7.66 km
3,755 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're up for an adventure? Let me tell you about Maggie Gulch 4WD Road! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking southwest Colorado, deep in the San Juan Mountains, heading up to a whopping 12,319 feet!
You'll find the turnoff near Silverton, in the town of Middleton. From there, you've got about 4.76 miles of totally unpaved road between you and the old Maggie Gulch mine.
This isn't a job for your Prius! You'll need a 4x4 with some clearance and good tires. Expect it to be snowed in from around October to June, so plan accordingly! The old mine itself is quite the sight, surrounded by what's left of Colorado's mining past. The views are incredible, but keep your eyes on the road!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.66 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,755 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeScotts Pass
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in Salt Lake County, Utah and craving an off-road adventure, Scotts Pass is calling your name. This high mountain pass sits at a whopping 9,488 feet above sea level and promises some seriously stunning views from the Wasatch Crest Ridge. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a gravel road – NF-029 to be exact – that's rocky, bumpy, and can get pretty hairy in spots. Think steep drop-offs and washboards galore! You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this beast, and a healthy respect for heights is a must. The road is usually impassable from October to June. Trust me, you do NOT want to get caught in a storm up there, even in the summer. But if you're an experienced off-roader looking for a challenge and insane scenery, Scotts Pass is your ticket to adventure.
hardThe Ultimate Road Trip To Crystal Mill in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're in Colorado, near the charming town of Marble. You're about to embark on an adventure to the legendary Crystal Mill! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. The Crystal Mill Road (County Road 3) is a rugged, unpaved, single-lane track. Built back in 1893, this spot is totally iconic, but getting there is half the fun. Starting in Marble, you've got about 5.6 miles of seriously rough terrain ahead of you. We're talking rocky, narrow, and steep – definitely not for your everyday sedan or the faint of heart. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a MUST, and be sure to head out well before the sun dips below those peaks. The road winds its way along the Crystal River, with the stunning Whitehouse Mountain and the Sawatch Range in full view. Keep in mind, this high-altitude route is only accessible during the warmer months – typically late June or early July through late October, when snow doesn't block the way. And a heads-up: cell service is spotty, so be prepared to disconnect a bit. Trust me, the views of the mill perched above that waterfall – one of the most photographed spots in Colorado – are worth every bump in the road.
moderateWhy is it called Conway Summit?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Conway Summit in California's Mono County! This isn't just any drive; it's a high-altitude adventure reaching 8,143 feet! Named after a local legend, John Andrew Conway, this fully paved stretch of U.S. Highway 395 is the highest point on the road. Prepare for a feast for the eyes! The views of Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada are seriously stunning. The drive itself is about 19.5 miles long, cruising north to south from Willow Springs to the town of Lee Vining, right on Mono Lake's edge. Heads up, though: being in the Eastern Sierras, Conway Summit is usually open year-round, but Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball with temporary closures in winter. Snow can get intense! Want to go even higher? Just east of the pass, there's a little gravel road that climbs to 8,415 feet where the radio towers are. Word of warning: it's steep (like, 8% steep!), and you'll definitely want a 4x4 to handle it. Get ready for an epic adventure!
hardDawson Saddle
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Dawson Saddle! This beauty sits way up high in the Los Angeles County mountains of California, clocking in at a cool 7,923 feet above sea level. You'll reach it via the legendary Angeles Crest Highway, a ribbon of asphalt that's been winding through these hills since 1929. The road's in decent shape, so no worries there, but be warned – it's a climb! You'll definitely feel the elevation as you ascend. And pro tip: during winter, this stretch from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap usually gets shut down thanks to rockfalls and avalanche risks. But when it's open? The scenery is absolutely epic! Get ready for some serious photo ops.