A scenic paved road to Guardsman Pass in Utah
Usa, north-america
38.94 km
2,969 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Guardsman Pass in Utah! Nestled high in the Wasatch Mountains, this beauty sits at a cool 9,740 feet above sea level, right on the Salt Lake/Wasatch county line, just east of Salt Lake City.
You'll be cruising along Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway (aka Guardsman Pass Road or Utah 190 West), a fully paved 24.2-mile stretch connecting Cottonwood Heights and Park City. And guess what? You can totally do it in your family car!
Keep in mind: this road is a fair-weather friend. Typically, it's buried under snow from late fall to late spring, usually opening up sometime between late May and June, and closing again in October. Mother Nature can be a bit unpredictable, so even summer storms can make things dicey.
Get ready for some fun! This drive has it all: twists, turns, and some seriously steep sections. Starting from Park City, you'll climb 2,650 feet over 7.07 miles, with an average grade of 7.1%.
Without stops, it's about an hour's drive each way, but trust me, you'll want to build in extra time. There's short-term parking and bathrooms at the top. The views are epic, especially in the fall when the aspens explode in orange and yellow, and the oaks turn fiery red. Pack a camera and maybe a picnic basket – you're gonna want to soak it all in!
Where is it?
A scenic paved road to Guardsman Pass in Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.7207, -97.4421
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 38.94 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,969 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.7207, -97.4421
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Goose Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Goose Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.570m (11,712ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. This drive is worth it, but be forewarned of the difficulty. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico The lake is located in the northern part of New Mexico, within the Carson National Forest, to the south of Gold Hill peak. Can you drive to Goose Lake in NM? The road to the lake is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Road 486 (Goose Lake Road). Is the road to Goose Lake in NM challenging? The road is extremely steep and rough in places. It’s not a road for you if you are nervous about other people driving in tricky situations - steep/rough roads. The road is pretty challenging, with a water crossing (it can be deep) and a short narrow section of shelf road that might be difficult for an inexperienced driver or someone who doesn't do well with heights. There is an old goldmine and general store along the way up. Be sure to keep an eye out for remnants of mining activity and abandoned cabins along the trail. Can I drive my vehicle to Goose Lake in NM? Full-size pickups will have trouble due to narrow passages. Be cautious: the road is very narrow. 4x4 vehicle required, not recommended for a stock SUV. Camper trailers are not allowed due to narrow one-way road sections and steep drop-offs. Set high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico, this grueling high mountain road is usually impassable in winters. How long is the road to Goose Lake in NM? Starting at Red River, a resort town, the road is 11.58 km (7.2 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 913 meters. The average gradient is 7.88%. When is the best time to drive to Goose Lake in NM? The road ends in the Goose Lake parking lot, an ample parking lot close to the lake. Traffic can be heavy during the summer months, and on a summer weekend, the parking lot, which holds several cars, is full very early. The best time to visit the lake is in the summer and fall. Pic: Ozark Overland Adventures Baxter Pass: Ultimate 4wd Destination in Colorado Driving the enthralling Notom-Bullfrog Road in Capitol Reef NP Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeSmith Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Smith Peak in California's Plumas National Forest is calling your name, but this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 7,677 feet (2,340m) up a seriously rugged, gravelly road. Think rocky, bumpy, and guaranteed to keep you on your toes! If unpaved mountain roads make you sweat, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, and if heights aren't your thing, you might want to reconsider. It's a pretty steep climb, and if it's been raining? Muddy conditions could turn this into a real challenge. But, oh, the views! And at the top? A fire lookout awaits! So, if you're up for a bit of an adrenaline rush and some killer scenery, Smith Peak might just be your next unforgettable adventure.
hardWhere is Mount Patterson?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, California dreamers, listen up! Wanna bag some seriously epic views? Then point your 4x4 toward Mount Patterson in Mono County. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 11,679 feet, making it one of the highest drives you can do in the Golden State. Tucked away in the Toiyabe National Forest near the Nevada border, this area’s got that old West vibe, with abandoned mines scattered about, relics from the 1880s. The 360-degree panoramas from the summit? Unbelievable! Heads up, though: this ain’t your grandma's Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved and seriously rugged. You’ll definitely need a 4WD beast to tackle this one, especially since it’s an old mining road leading to the historic Montague Mine Cabin. The window to drive it is pretty tight—usually July to October, weather permitting. Snow's a big factor, so opening and closing dates are at the mercy of Mother Nature. And fair warning: the wind up there is no joke. It howls year-round, and the higher you climb, the more exposed you'll be. From US395, it's about 16 miles to the summit, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation. That means some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting a max of 18%! Average grade is around 6%, so prepare for a workout, both for your rig and your nerves. White Mountain Road (Mount Patterson access road) has taxed the nerves of more than a few drivers in California. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment!
moderateHints for reading Spanish road signs
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Andes on the Carretera Central in Peru. This bad boy stretches for about 220 km (137 miles), linking Lima to La Oroya. We're talking serious elevation changes, climbing from almost sea level in Lima to over 4800 meters (nearly 16,000 feet!) at Ticlio Pass – so get ready for some potential altitude sickness. The views? Absolutely epic. Think snow-capped peaks, dramatic valleys, and tiny villages clinging to the mountainsides. But hold on tight – this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect hairpin turns that'll make your stomach flip, narrow lanes barely wider than your rental car, and the occasional truck barreling towards you. Oh, and landslides and rockfalls are a real possibility, especially during the rainy season. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you! This road is truly an unforgettable experience.