A paved mountain road to Rabbit Ears Pass in Colorado

A paved mountain road to Rabbit Ears Pass in Colorado

Usa, north-america

Length

83.36 km

Elevation

2,873 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up for Rabbit Ears Pass, a seriously awesome mountain pass in northern Colorado! You'll find this beauty straddling Jackson and Grand counties, clocking in at a lofty 9,426 feet.

We're talking about U.S. Route 40 here, a fully paved road that'll take you on a wild ride. Itโ€™s a pretty steep climb, with gradients hitting almost 7% in spots, and a few hairpin turns to keep things interesting. You'll be sharing the road with locals and travelers alike, all soaking up the Rocky Mountain vibes. And hey, if you're feeling adventurous, you can cruise another 3 miles east to Muddy Pass โ€“ a slightly lower but equally scenic spot.

This epic stretch runs for about 52 miles between Steamboat Springs (hello, Yampa Valley!) and the charming town of Kremmling. Just a heads up, though: while Rabbit Ears Pass is open year-round, Mother Nature sometimes throws a tantrum. Expect short closures due to gnarly weather โ€“ especially in winter, when this pass earns its rep as one of Colorado's trickiest!

Where is it?

A paved mountain road to Rabbit Ears Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 44.3269, -98.1754

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
83.36 km
Max Elevation
2,873 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
44.3269, -98.1754

Related Roads in north-america

Fishhook Lakemoderate

Fishhook Lake

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, so picture this: Wyoming, Medicine Bow National Forest, and you're itching for an adventure. Fishhook Lake is calling your name, perched way up high at 10,659 feet! Forest Road 332 is your path, but be warned, itโ€™s not for the faint of heart. This gravel road is rocky, bumpy, and can get a bit tippy in spots. We're talking a high-clearance vehicle is definitely your friend here. The views? Absolutely stunning. But keep in mind, this route is usually snowed in from September to June. Experienced off-roaders will love it, but if unpaved mountain roads arenโ€™t your thing, maybe sit this one out. It's a maintained road, but still, come prepared!

Carnero Passextreme

Carnero Pass

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Alright, adventure junkies, let's talk about Carnero Pass! Nestled way up in Saguache County, Colorado, this bad boy tops out at a cool 10,171 feet. You'll find it chilling within the Rio Grande National Forest. Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a gravel 4WD track (County Road 41 G, if you're mapping it). Seriously, watch the weather! This road isn't messing around. Avalanches, serious snow, and landslides are real possibilities, plus icy patches love to pop up. Expect some rocky and muddy bits along the way. But hey, if you're up for it, the views are totally worth the white-knuckle ride!

Where is Bullion King Lake?hard

Where is Bullion King Lake?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, picture this: Bullion King Lake, a shimmering turquoise jewel nestled high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, just north of Silverton. Getting there? It's an adventure in itself! Forest Road 822 (aka Porphyry Gulch Road or Bullion King Lake Trail) is a totally unpaved 2.9-mile climb starting from the Million Dollar Highway. We're talking about a serious elevation gain here โ€“ almost 1,600 feet! That's an average grade of over 10%, so yeah, it gets steep. The road's super narrow with some crazy tight switchbacks, and definitely requires 4WD and some off-road driving skills. There's even a section that's a high, narrow shelf road that might make your palms sweat if you're not used to this kind of thing. Oh, and those steep drop-offs? They're real! You might even see a sign that says "Rough and dangerous road ahead, travel not recommended", but it's not as bad as it sounds. This route is usually snowed in from October to June. At the top, there's a small parking lot, and it's a short walk to the lake itself. But, the views along the way? Incredible! Plus, you'll pass a few cool abandoned mines. Trust me, this drive is worth the effort. Just be prepared for a wild ride!

Where is Hunter Mountain?extreme

Where is Hunter Mountain?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers, because Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley National Park is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a 10.7-mile unpaved stretch of pure, unadulterated backcountry bliss (or maybe a bit of a challenge, depending on how you look at it). Located in eastern California, snuggled between the Sierra Nevada and Nevada, you'll find yourself climbing to a whopping 7,168 feet! You'll need a 4x4 for this one, trust me. Expect loose rock, washes, and a whole lotta washboard. But hey, the views! Once you escape the valley floor, the landscape transforms into something truly special. Now, a word of caution: This road is unmaintained and bumpy as heck. Keep an eye out for narrow sections, steep hills (both up and down), scary drop-offs, and sneaky soft sand. Oh, and those boulders lurking in the washes? Yeah, watch out for those too. Also, please be smart: Before you go, top off that gas tank and bring extra supplies! No services exist along this route. And stay out of old mine shafts! They can be unstable, full of bad air, and just generally not a good time. Remember to tell someone where you're going and grab a backcountry permit. Cell service can be spotty, so don't rely on your phone in an emergency. And watch where you step โ€“ rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widows love to hang out in shady spots. Finally, be extra aware of flash floods during storms. Oh, and a heads up โ€“ during winter, this road can become impassable due to snow or mud. Road conditions in Death Valley are always changing, so make sure to check before you go!