A truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to Funnel Lake
Usa, north-america
27.84 km
3,176 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the Eastern Sierras, just southwest of Bishop, California, ready for an off-road adventure to Funnel Lake! This isn't your Sunday drive; it's the Coyote Flat 4x4 Trail, a totally unpaved route that climbs to a whopping 10,419 feet!
Timing is everything. You'll likely need to wait until late June or even July for the snow to clear. This 17.3-mile journey isn't for the faint of heart, or oversized vehicles. Expect a pretty steep climb, gaining 6,056 feet with an average gradient of 6.63%.
But trust me, the views are worth it! Imagine stunning vistas, frozen snow drifts, alpine scenery, and rolling meadows. Keep an eye out for abandoned mines along the way, remnants of another era. And be prepared, this trail transforms with the seasons, offering a new visual experience each time.
Heads up: you'll absolutely need a 4x4 with good ground clearance, slightly deflated tires, and a spare – trust me on that one! Oh, and prepare for a couple of river crossings. This Inyo National Forest gem is unforgettable!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 27.84 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,176 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Pennellen Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Let's talk about Pennellen Pass, perched way up high at 7,910 feet in eastern Garfield County, Utah. Think jaw-dropping views just east of Capitol Reef National Park. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We're talking *unpaved* – seriously steep, rocky, and narrow. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 and a vehicle in tip-top shape. This area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, feels seriously remote. Don't expect to see many other souls around! You'll find yourself between Tarantula Mesa and Pennellen Peak, two local legends. But here's the payoff: the views! Think endless panoramas of those iconic lower deserts. It's the kind of scenery that makes you feel truly wild and free. This region is seriously remote, so before you head out, double-check your ride and pack accordingly! Just be sure to avoid the high ridges and exposed areas if there's any chance of lightning!
hardWhere is Jack Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! We're heading to Jack Mountain in Montana's Jefferson County, just south of Helena. Picture this: you're carving your way through the massive Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the biggest in the state. This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking about an unpaved, rough-and-tumble road where you absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4. Get ready for 18 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, with some seriously steep sections – we're talking a 12% gradient near the top! It's about 12 miles from start to summit, taking you through thick forests and rugged, rocky landscapes. Once you break through to the exposed ridges near the top, the views are absolutely insane! Oh, and keep an eye out for the remains of the old Jack Mountain Lookout, decommissioned in 2011, that once stood tall, keeping watch over the land. Trust me, this drive is worth every bump and scrape!
hardWhat are the 15 Best USA Motorcycle Roads? The Definitive List
🇺🇸 Usa
# America's Best Riding Roads: The Ultimate Motorcycle Bucket List Over 230,000 members of the American Motorcyclist Association voted on what they consider the most thrilling roads to ride in the U.S. Out of more than 100 nominations, these 15 routes made the cut—and they've earned their spots through a combination of technical challenges, jaw-dropping scenery, and pure riding satisfaction. ## The Hidden Gems **Washington Route 129 & Oregon Route 3** The ride from Clarkston, WA to Enterprise, OR is all about that legendary "Rattlesnake Grade"—a series of tight, technical switchbacks that plunge dramatically into the canyon below. It's the kind of road that gets your adrenaline pumping. **Ohio Route 83** Don't sleep on the Midwest. This stretch from Calcutta to Poland, Ohio flows beautifully through rolling hills with a surprisingly satisfying rhythm that'll have you grinning the whole way. ## Mountain Passes & Desert Runs **California Route 58** This one takes you from McKittrick to Santa Margarita, cutting right through the California Coast Ranges and dipping into the Mojave Desert. Seriously diverse terrain. **Virginia Route 60** Between Harrisonburg, VA and Seneca Rocks, WV, you'll find high-speed sweepers mixed with demanding climbs through some seriously gorgeous mountain country. **California Route 36** Stretching from Humboldt County down to Lassen County, this road feels like a rollercoaster with hundreds of curves weaving through ancient redwoods and rolling foothills. **Lolo Pass (U.S. 12)** Sitting at 5,233 feet right on the Idaho-Montana border, this northern Rocky Mountain classic delivers everything you want from an alpine pass. ## The Legends **Natchez Trace Parkway** A whopping 444 miles connecting Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. What makes it special? Zero commercial traffic and uninterrupted scenic beauty for the entire journey. **Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2)** Sixty-six miles of high-elevation twists through the San Gabriel Mountains, climbing to 7,000 feet with curves that just keep coming. **Going-to-the-Sun Road** Located in Glacier National Park, Montana, this is an engineering masterpiece. Narrow passages hug sheer cliff faces—it's both beautiful and intense. **Cherohala Skyway** Forty-three miles of sweeping curves connecting North Carolina and Tennessee, climbing to mile-high elevations with stunning vistas throughout. **Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1)** The iconic coastal dream ride. Between San Simeon and Carmel on California's central coast, you get cliffside curves and ocean views that hit different. **Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550)** From Silverton to Ouray, Colorado, this beast features no guardrails, serious vertical drops, and three mountain passes all topping 10,000 feet. It's as wild as it sounds. **Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129)** Eleven miles, 318 curves—this is the technical challenge that separates riders from passengers. Pure grip-and-rip riding. **Blue Ridge Parkway** A leisurely 469 miles through North Carolina and Virginia along the mountain crest. Perfect for when you want scenery over speed. **Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212)** The undisputed king. This alpine pass tops out at 10,947 feet with incredible switchbacks and views that'll stop you in your tracks. Ride it at least once in your lifetime.
moderateBrown Mountain: a steep unpaved road to the top
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Texas road trip fans, listen up! Brown Mountain: ever heard of it? It's a seriously high point in Jeff Davis County, clocking in at almost 7,000 feet! Think panoramic views. Getting there? That's part of the adventure. This ain't no Sunday drive on smooth asphalt. The road to the top is all dirt, so a 4x4 is a must. Trust me, you'll want the extra grip. The climb starts from TX-166, and it's about 2.6 miles to the top. Don't let the short distance fool you – you're gaining over 1,100 feet in elevation, so it's a steady climb averaging around an 8% grade. Not crazy steep, but enough to make you appreciate that low gear! Once you're at the summit, you'll find a communication antenna, and views that stretch forever. Just you, the big Texas sky, and a serious sense of accomplishment.