
A memorable road trip to Santa Rosa Mountain in CA
Usa, north-america
16.41 km
2,456 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving some serious off-road thrills in Southern California, point your rig towards Santa Rosa Mountain. This beast sits high in the San Bernardino National Forest, clocking in at a cool 8,057 feet above sea level.
The route to the top, Santa Rosa Road (7S02), is a 10.2-mile dirt track that'll put your high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle to the test. It’s moderately bumpy, so be prepared to get jostled! Watch out for closures during fire season or when the weather gets gnarly.
The climb is intense! Expect some seriously steep sections, maxing out at a 13% gradient. You'll gain a whopping 3,471 feet in elevation from the start on CA-74, averaging a 6.44% grade. The views are incredible, but stay sharp. The road gets super narrow in spots, so keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. Heads up: this road typically closes in the winter due to snow and ice.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 16.41 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,456 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Lakeview Drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for a quirky road trip on the Road to Nowhere, near Bryson City, North Carolina! Tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this isn't just a drive; it's a journey into history and maybe a little bit of the paranormal! Where does this road actually go? Lakeview Drive winds along Fontana Lake's northern edge inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, close to the Tennessee border. Both sections offer access to hiking trails and stunning views of the mountains and lake. How long is it? The Road to Nowhere clocks in at 6.5 miles, broken into two parts. The first bit is a short 0.7 miles near Fontana Dam. The second, longer stretch runs 5.8 miles until... well, you'll see. Is it paved? Yep, it's fully paved, making it fine for cars and a challenging workout for cyclists. But heads up, it's curvy, so pay attention behind the wheel! What's the story? Back in the '40s, residents had to move to make way for Fontana Lake. The government promised a road, Lakeview Drive, to reconnect folks and access cemeteries. They started building in the '60s, but stopped in '71 because of environmental issues, unstable rock, and cost. Now, there's a six-mile stretch ending at a tunnel! Why "Road to Nowhere?" That name comes from its unfinished state. The eastern section dead-ends at a 1,200-foot tunnel. It's a remote, isolated place with a bit of a spooky vibe. What's so scenic? Lakeview Drive boasts several viewpoints, like the Fontana Lake Overlook, plus access to the Noland Creek Trails. Get ready for creekside views, mountain vistas, and a whole lot of peace and quiet. Perfect for photos! What trails can I hike? The road gives you access to: Noland Creek Trail North and South: Hike along the creek for forest and water views. The South Trail is a one-mile loop to Fontana Lake. Goldmine Loop Trail: A loop connecting to Lakeshore Trail. Forney Creek Trail: Follows where the road was supposed to go, linking both segments and offering campsites. So, what's at the end? The eastern segment ends at a long tunnel, only accessible on foot. Bring a flashlight – it's dark in there! The other side leads to more hiking trails. Why does everyone think it's haunted? The Road to Nowhere is known for paranormal activity. The tunnel is super eerie at night—cold wind, echoing voices, and total darkness. Its isolation, the tunnel, and the backstory make it a hotspot for ghost hunters! Why is it important? It's a reminder of the past: communities displaced, environmental concerns, and broken promises. In 2010, Swain County got $52 million instead of the road, officially ending the 1943 agreement. Can I drive or bike it? The paved road is good for cars and a challenging bike ride. Cyclists love the curves and views, especially in the fall. You can also fish for trout along Noland Creek or just relax at an overlook. Anything else I should know? Prepare for a remote, winding drive. Drive carefully due to curves and drop-offs. Bring flashlights for the tunnel, and note that some trails are strenuous. Weather changes fast in the mountains, so check the forecast!
easyAn all-weather paved road to Sandia Crest in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Albuquerque in northern New Mexico, you'll find Sandia Crest, a must-do drive inside the Cibola National Forest! This peak punches way up there, hitting 10,678 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the whole state! The route to the top, NM-536 (aka the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway), is 13.3 miles of pure, paved joy starting from San Antonito. Seriously, any car can handle it! And guess what? The summit's got it all: parking, a restaurant, a gift shop, plus accessible views and restrooms. Built way back in 1927 and fully paved by 1960, this baby's been loved for decades. The road itself? It's in great shape, all nice and smooth after a recent resurfacing. Expect around 20 switchbacks on this two-lane beauty, but nothing too crazy. Keep an eye out for a little dirt on those tight corners, though! Motorcyclists, take note: this is your winding paradise. Just remember, summer storms can bring some serious temperature drops, so be prepared! It's a pretty steep climb, hitting a max gradient of 9% in spots. Over those 13.3 miles from San Antonito, you'll gain 3,763 feet, averaging about a 5.35% grade. The whole drive takes about 25 minutes non-stop, but you'll want to pull over. Trust me, the scenery is epic, transitioning from high desert to thick Sandia Mountain forests. You'll be treated to knockout views of Albuquerque, the Rio Grande, Mount Taylor, and the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The panoramic views of Albuquerque and the surrounding landscape from the summit are seriously next-level. Don't miss it!
extremeHow is the drive on Forest Service Road 281?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in southwestern Utah, right in the heart of Dixie National Forest, heading towards High Mountain. Forget your spa days, this is an adventure! This isn't just any mountain, we're talking serious elevation here - way up in the sky. As you start the short, mile-long Forest Service Road 281 (NF-281), buckle up for a climb with an average gradient of 5.25%. It may not sound extreme, but trust me, the air gets thin! The road? Think rugged. We're talking gravel, embedded rocks, and ruts that can test your nerves. You absolutely need a 4x4 with good ground clearance. Seriously. It's narrow and exposed too, so if heights aren't your thing, maybe bring a friend to hold your hand. And if it's wet? That dirt turns into some seriously sticky mud. But the real reward? The views! You'll be staring down at Cedar Breaks National Monument, this crazy-beautiful natural amphitheater with wild colors and canyons carved by time. It's a perspective most people only dream of! Heads up: High Mountain is mostly inaccessible most of the year because snow can linger from October until June or even July. Aim for summer when the road's dry and those wildflowers are popping in Dixie National Forest. Keep an eye on the weather; afternoon thunderstorms can roll in fast, turning that rocky road into a muddy mess. Before you head out to this remote location to check out the view, make sure your rig is in good shape, and be prepared for the high-altitude environment!
extremeHow Challenging is the Road to Sawtell Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near Island Park, Idaho, you HAVE to check out Sawtell Peak! This epic drive takes you up Forest Road 024 (aka Sawtell Peak Road) inside the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, close to the Montana border. Think of it as a well-maintained, but steep gravel rollercoaster with tons of hairpin turns. I wouldn't advise bringing your trailer along for this one! If you're scared of heights, be warned: some sections are seriously exposed. Under normal conditions, you can tackle it in a regular car, but avoid it when things get super wet. The climb starts on US-20 and stretches for 11.5 miles to the top. In that short distance, you'll gain a whopping 3,458 feet! That's an average gradient of 5.69%, so get ready for some serious switchbacks. At the summit, you'll find a flight traffic control radar station doing its thing, but who cares about that when you've got insane views?! Speaking of which, this road is named after a rock formation that looks like a Native American chief, earning it the nickname "Chief Rains in the Face." The landscape offers mind-blowing panoramas of valleys, peaks, and local wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled! A word of caution: this area is no joke. Locals joke that there are only two seasons: Winter and July. Snowstorms can pop up out of nowhere, and even in summer, the winds can get pretty wild. The road's usually closed from November 1st to June 1st. Sure, the FAA maintains it for the radar station in winter, but with snow depths up to 25 feet and avalanche danger, it's best to avoid it. Just remember to park safely if you stop to enjoy the scenery, and watch out for other vehicles. Trust me; the views are worth every nerve-wracking turn!