A wild road to Pipestone Pass in MT
Usa, north-america
46.83 km
1,972 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, listen up! I just tackled Pipestone Pass in Montana, and let me tell you, it's a stunner. We're talking a seriously high mountain pass sitting pretty at 6,469 feet.
The whole thing's paved, winding its way through the eastern foothills of the Rockies. But don't think it's a Sunday drive! This baby's got curves and some seriously steep sections to keep you on your toes. Plus, Mother Nature can throw some curveballs, especially in winter – think black ice, blizzards, and winds that'll try to blow you off the road.
Located in southern Montana's Pioneer Mountains, inside the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, it's about 29 miles of pure driving bliss (and a little bit of white-knuckle action). It connects Butte to Whitehall. Budget around 40-50 minutes to soak it all in – and maybe grab a photo or two! Oh, and keep an eye out for the Mount Patterson radio site. Happy trails!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 46.83 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,972 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Skyline Drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Skyline Drive is one of Colorado’s hidden gems. It’s a one-way, narrow road with precipices on one side, the other, or both at all times. Where is Skyline Drive? The road is located to the west of Cañon City, in Fremont County, in the central part of Colorado. How long is Skyline Drive in CO? Skyline Drive is one-way and entirely paved. It's 4.1 km (2.6 miles) long and runs west-east from U.S. 50 to Floral Avenue, in a residential neighborhood of Cañon City. Skyline Drive is free to access. When was Skyline Drive in Colorado built? This single-lane road atop a knife-edge hilltop above Cañon City was built in 1905 by inmates from the nearby prison to provide residents and visitors unparalleled views of the city. Sixty inmates of the Territorial Prison began work on the road under the direction of Warden John Cleghorn. For every month the convicts worked on the road, they were awarded 10 days off their sentence. Funding for the project was provided by the project’s committee, which raised more than $2,000 for the effort. Is Skyline Drive in Colorado dangerous? The road is quite demanding. Be aware that this drive is not for timid drivers or those afraid of heights. It's not suitable for those who have never experienced a high road with cliff edges. Along the way, you'll drive on a road that ascends and follows the top of a ridge. This road is quite narrow, and the drop-offs (450 ft) on each side can be intimidating, so it should not be attempted by large vehicles like motorhomes. It's a very steep drive with room for only one car to go up. There is no turning around if you change your mind. There are no guardrails, and at some points, it slopes down on both sides. You are literally on a little strip of roadway on top of a mountain. It may be closed for bad weather or ice. Vehicles over 20 feet are not allowed. How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive in Cañon City? It’s a short scenic drive across a razorback ridge in Cañon City. To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 12 and 15 minutes. Its panoramic views of Cañon City and the Arkansas River Valley are breathtaking, so allow about one hour to explore Skyline Drive with stops. There are many places to stop off and take in the incredible scenery as well as photographs. Dinosaur footprints were discovered along it in 2001. You can see a series of Cretaceous Ankylosaur tracks made by a group of dinosaurs walking side-by-side through mud. Annie's Road in New Jersey is haunted by the ghost of a girl Mount Antero in Colorado is one of the highest roads of North America 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.
extremeWhere is Tassajara Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to California's Pacific coast for a wild ride on Tassajara Road. Picture this: you're deep in Los Padres National Forest, cruising (carefully!) on this 17.1-mile stretch of unpaved glory. Starting from East Carmel Valley Road, you'll be winding north towards the legendary Tassajara Hot Springs, tucked away in the Carmel Valley. But hold on tight, this ain't your average Sunday drive! This road is a real challenge, climbing through some serious mountain terrain. We're talking one-lane corners, deep ruts that pop up throughout the year, and a peak elevation that'll make you feel like you're on top of the world. The last few miles down into Tassajara are known to be particularly gnarly. A high-clearance vehicle is practically a must-have here. And be warned: conditions change on a dime depending on the weather. Plus, there are no guardrails to save you, so take it slow, especially around those blind corners. Cell service? Forget about it! Avoid this road at night. Bonus for stargazers: just east of Tassajara Road, there's another long climb up to the Oliver Observing Station (MIRA), perched way up high. Apparently, the views are out of this world—literally!
easyWhere is the Thousand Islands Parkway?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: cruising down the Thousand Islands Parkway in Ontario, Canada. Seriously, this drive is pure eye candy! Think stunning views around every bend. You'll find this gem nestled in the Thousand Islands National Park, practically smack-dab in the middle of Montreal and Toronto, super close to the US border. The whole route is paved, hugging the northern edge of the St. Lawrence River like a long-lost friend. The Parkway stretches for 40 kilometers (that's about 25 miles) from Butternut Bay to Gananoque, with a chill one-lane-each-way vibe. You could probably blast through it in under an hour, but trust me, you'll want to pull over. We're talking seriously breathtaking panoramic landscapes. Fun fact: this scenic route was opened way back in 1938!
extremeDriving the rough 4×4 road to Argentine Pass in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're headed to Argentine Pass, clocking in at a whopping 13,234 feet above sea level in the heart of Colorado! You'll find this bad boy straddling Clear Creek and Summit counties, nestled in the White River National Forest. Originally a wagon road from way back in 1867, this route (aka County Road 352) stretches for about 7.9 miles from Guanella Pass Road. Forget pavement – it's all about that rugged, unadulterated 4x4 experience here. Speaking of 4x4, you'll NEED a high-clearance vehicle. Think narrow paths, seriously steep climbs, hairpin turns galore, and rocks, rocks, rocks! We're talking moderate difficulty with a few stream crossings thrown in to keep things interesting. Oversized vehicles should definitely sit this one out. Keep in mind this is a summer-only adventure. Snow can linger well into the season, so plan accordingly. You can only drive to the pass from the Georgetown side, the other side (Horseshoe Basin) is strictly for hikers and bikers. The payoff? OMG, the VIEWS! And plenty of parking at the top. Don’t miss the Santiago Mine and Ghost Town (but be respectful, it's private property!). Gaze north for killer views of Grays & Torreys Peaks. On the way back, enjoy the fast and furious ride and amazing views of Peru Creek. Just a heads up, the climb is real. You're gaining over 3,600 feet from Guanella Pass Road. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! But trust me, the panoramic vistas from the Continental Divide are worth every bump and grind.