An exciting and pleasant road trip to Sex Peak in MT
Usa, north-america
30.25 km
1,767 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, folks, buckle up for an off-the-beaten-path adventure to Sex Peak in Montana! Don't worry, it's not *that* kind of peak - legend has it the name comes from a rather saucy conversation between a park official and a forester back in the day.
You'll find this beauty nestled in Sanders County, within the Kootenai National Forest. The turnoff is south of White Pine, off of MT-200. Road 2222, an 18.8-mile dirt track, will lead you to the 5,797-foot summit. Be warned: you'll need a high-clearance vehicle for this one!
Typically, you can hit this route from late June through mid-October. Once you reach the top (after dealing with some seriously bumpy conditions), you'll be rewarded with killer panoramic views. We're talking the Clarks Fork Valley, the Bitterroot Mountains to the west, and the Cabinet Range to the east! Oh, and there's a cool fire lookout tower up there too, dating back to the early 1920s. So, are you ready to get off the grid and experience a truly unforgettable drive?
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 30.25 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,767 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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extremeThe 32 Best Death Valley Backcountry Roads
🇺🇸 Usa
# Exploring Death Valley's Epic Back Roads Welcome to Death Valley National Park—where California meets Nevada in a landscape of pure extremes. This below-sea-level basin is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the USA, and it's absolutely unforgiving. Expect scorching summer heat and relentless drought that'll test you and your vehicle like nowhere else. **Before You Go:** Most of these roads demand serious clearance. A high-clearance vehicle is your minimum requirement, but many stretches absolutely need four-wheel drive. Pack extra water, spare tires, and don't underestimate this terrain. **Echo Canyon Road** — 10 miles to Inyo Mine (start: Hwy 190, 2 miles east of Furnace Creek Inn). The first three miles need high-clearance; beyond that, you're in 4WD territory. **Hole in the Wall Road** — 6 miles (start: Hwy 190, 5.7 miles east of Furnace Creek Inn). High-clearance gets you to the wall itself in the first four miles, but deep gravel and rocks demand 4WD for the final two. **Chloride City Road** — 6.2 miles to Chloride City (start: Daylight Pass Road, 3.4 miles east of Hells Gate). Steep, rutted sections and steep spurs require 4WD, plus high-clearance for the final loop segment. **Titus Canyon Road** — 26.8 miles (start: NV Hwy 374, 2.7 miles east of park boundary). High-clearance essential due to steep grades and gravel. Heads up: this road closes frequently for flood damage, mud, and snow. No RVs, campers, or trailers allowed. **Phinney Canyon Road** — 21 miles (start: NV Hwy 95, 11.8 miles north of Beatty). High-clearance for the first 15 miles, then seriously steep and narrow terrain demands 4WD for the last three. Winter? Forget it—deep snow blocks this one. **Cottonwood Canyon Road** — 17.7 miles (start: Stovepipe Wells Campground). Sand and washboard for the first eight miles on high-clearance, then drop into the wash where 4WD takes over. Watch out for that final 1.5 miles—they wash out regularly. **Lemoigne Canyon Road** — 4.4 miles (start: Hwy 190, 6 miles west of Stovepipe Wells Village). Full 4WD required. Super rutted with numerous gullies to cross. **Tucki Mine Road** — 10 miles (start: Emigrant Canyon Road, 1.5 miles south of Hwy 190). 4WD handles large rocks, deep gravel, and several dry falls that'll get your adrenaline pumping. **Skidoo Road** — 7 miles (start: Emigrant Canyon Road, 9.4 miles south of Hwy 190). High-clearance only, but watch for protruding rocks at the 3.5-mile mark—sedans risk real undercarriage damage. Snow and mud can appear without warning. **Aguereberry Point Road** — 6.3 miles (start: Emigrant Canyon Road, 11.8 miles south of Hwy 190). High-clearance with a rocky outcrop at 3.5 miles and a steep, rocky final half-mile to an amazing viewpoint. Sedans beware. Winter conditions are unpredictable. **Charcoal Kilns/Mahogany Flat Road** — 5 miles to kilns, 8.7 to Mahogany Flat (start: Wildrose Campground). Most vehicles can handle the unpaved section, but high-clearance is needed for the final 1.6 miles. 4WD might be necessary beyond Thorndike Campground. No RVs or trailers. Expect snow and ice seasonally. **Lake Hill Road (Big Four Mine)** — 5 miles (start: Hwy 190, 4.5 miles east of Panamint Springs Resort). High-clearance for the first five miles, then 4WD tackles the washed-out section to the mine. **Racetrack Valley Road** — 28 miles (start: Ubehebe Crater Road). High-clearance through loose gravel and washboard. Flat tires are practically guaranteed here, so make sure your spare is inflated and your jack is complete. Road conditions vary, so 4WD might be necessary. **Lippincott Road** — 5.9 miles (start: 3.5 miles south of the Racetrack). Rough 4WD only. Extremely steep, narrow, and winding with cliff-edge washouts. Uphill traffic has the right of way. The tight lower section is brutal for wide vehicles. Heavy rains can close this road entirely. **Hidden Valley Road** — 3.2 miles to White Top Mtn. Road, 13 miles to Hunter Mountain base (start: Teakettle Junction on Racetrack Valley Road). High-clearance handles washboard and deep dust, but flooding and mud happen after rains. White Top Mountain is a 4WD spur—skip it when wet or snowy. **Saline Valley Road South Pass** — 46 miles (start: Hwy 190, just outside west park boundary). Maintained dirt with high-clearance requirements. The first eight miles are paved but potholed. Rocky and rutted sections through Grapevine Canyon. Winter closures are common. **Steel Pass Road** — 29 miles (start: Warm Springs or Eureka Dunes). Serious 4WD only for experienced drivers. Narrow, sharp dry falls require precise driving, and sidewall tire cuts are common—carry multiple spares. Travel's easier north to south. **South Eureka Valley Road** — 9.6 miles (start: Big Pine/Death Valley Road, 33.2 miles north of Ubehebe Crater). High-clearance to the dunes, then deep sand takes over. Beyond the dunes, it becomes Steel Pass Road. **North Eureka Valley Road** — 28 miles (start: Big Pine/Death Valley Road, 0.7 miles west of South Eureka Valley Road). High-clearance for eight miles to the park boundary, then often 4WD to reach Hwy 168. **Big Pine Death Valley Road** — 72 miles (start: Ubehebe Crater Road or Big Pine, CA). High-clearance throughout. Dust and heavy washboard are relentless. Bring tire chains for winter. **Greenwater Valley Road** — 28 miles (start: Dantes View Road or Hwy 178). High-clearance required. **West Side Road** — 37 miles (start: Badwater Road). High-clearance battles washboard, deep gravel, and dust. The Amargosa River crossing at the southern end might be impassable during flow. **Trail Canyon Road** — 10.4 miles (start: West Side Road, 6.3 miles via north entrance). High-clearance for the first four miles, then 4WD through boulder fields takes over. **Hanaupah Canyon Road** — 8 miles (start: West Side Road, 11.9 miles via north entrance). High-clearance to the fan top, then 4WD through extremely rocky terrain to the end. **Johnson Canyon Road** — 10 miles (start: West Side Road, 21.9 miles via north entrance). High-clearance for six miles, then 4WD into the rocky wash. The final 0.1 mile is overgrown and wet. **Warm Springs Canyon Road** — 20.4 miles to Butte Valley (start: West Side Road, 3 miles via south entrance). High-clearance to the talc mine, then 4WD through deep ruts and rocks. **Pleasant Canyon Road** — 12 miles (start: Ballarat). Rough 4WD for experienced drivers only. Washouts and boulders everywhere on this narrow, rocky route. **Harry Wade Road** — 31.5 miles (start: Badwater Road, 2 miles south of Ashford Mill). Usually high-clearance, but 4WD when the Amargosa River flows. Heavy rain creates muddy patches quickly. **Owl Hole Spring Road** — 30.5 miles (start: Harry Wade Road, 19.1 miles south of Badwater Road). High-clearance for the first nine miles, then shifts to 4WD territory. **Saratoga Spring Road** — 4 miles (start: Harry Wade Road or Hwy 127). High-clearance with washboard surfaces. The Amargosa River crossing becomes 4WD or impassable when flowing. **Ibex Spring Road** — 5.3 miles (start: Hwy 127, 1.9 miles south of Ibex Pass). High-clearance for 2.8 miles, then loose gravel and deep sand demand 4WD with low gear engaged. **Deadman Pass Road** — 13.6 miles (start: 18.2 miles south of Dante's View Road). High-clearance to the pass, then loose gravel requires 4WD on the descent to the highway. Death Valley's back roads aren't for the faint of heart, but they'll reward adventurous drivers with some of the most otherworldly scenery imaginable. Just go prepared, stay alert, and respect the desert.
moderateIs New Mexico State Road 126 paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk NM-126 in New Mexico's Sandoval County! This isn't just a drive, it's an experience. First, you're cruising on smooth pavement, winding into the mountains – pure bliss! But hold on, things get interesting. For about 8 miles, the road turns into a dirt track, sometimes just wide enough for one car, with hairpin turns galore. We're talking hills, canyons, and maybe a minor washout or two. Seriously, only tackle this stretch when it's dry. Overall, NM-126 clocks in at about 38 miles, connecting NM-4 to Cuba on US-550. The views are incredible, mountain vistas that'll make you want to pull over every five minutes. Just a heads up: keep an eye out for deer and elk, especially at night. This road climbs high, reaching almost 8,800 feet in the Jemez Mountains. A word of caution: the middle part of this route is often closed during winter. Also, be aware that rain can make the dirt section impassable for a few days. So, plan accordingly and get ready for an unforgettable New Mexico adventure!
extremeCoquihalla Highway is one of the worst roads in winter
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moderateHow long is Thornton Lake Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Thornton Lake Road in Whatcom County, Washington, is a wild ride you won't soon forget! Just 5 miles long, this rugged dirt road winds its way into the heart of the Skagit Valley, west of Newhalem, leading to the Thornton Lakes Trailhead. Pro tip: get there early, the parking lot fills up fast! Now, let's be real, this ain't your average Sunday drive. This road is unpaved, with plenty of loose gravel, steep climbs, and washboards that'll rattle your teeth. Think serious potholes and maybe even a fallen tree or two blocking your path. A high-clearance 4x4 is definitely your best friend here. Keep in mind, this road is in the North Cascades National Park, so winter is a no-go. It's not maintained, so expect it to be closed off during the snowy season. But when it's open? The scenery is unreal! Get ready for some epic views as you climb up into the mountains.