
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
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