An old mining road to Mount Patterson in California

An old mining road to Mount Patterson in California

Usa, north-america

Length

25.7 km

Elevation

3,560 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Mount Patterson is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,560m (11,679ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

The peak is located in the east-central portion of California, near the Nevada border, within the Toiyabe National Forest. The area is dotted with many mines that were active in the 1880s. The 360-degree views from the top are incredible.

Set high in the Sweetwater Mountains, the scenic road to the summit, with fantastic views, is totally unpaved. It’s pretty rough and requires using a 4WD vehicle. The road to the summit is an old mining road to Montague Mine Cabin.

The peak is accessible from July to October due to snow. The opening and closing dates all depend on snowmelt and snowfall each year. High winds blow here all year long. The higher you get, the more exposed you are to the wind.

The road to the summit is very steep, hitting an 18% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at US395, the road is 25.7 km (15.96 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1,568 meters. The average gradient is 6.10%.Pic: 4x4Husky

Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is it?

An old mining road to Mount Patterson in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 43.2856, -99.2928

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
25.7 km
Max Elevation
3,560 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
43.2856, -99.2928

Related Roads in north-america

Slide Mountainextreme

Slide Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so Slide Mountain in Nevada is seriously epic! We're talking about a summit sitting at a whopping 9,606 feet! As the name suggests, expect some rocky terrain – it's known for its, well, rock slides. You'll find this adventure in the Carson Range, and the road to the top is all gravel and rocks – think ski-station service road meets chairlift access trail. Be warned, it's STEEP, with grades hitting up to 30% in places. Loose stones underfoot make for a challenging climb, especially higher up. Timing is everything! Your window of opportunity is super narrow – aim for late August. The summit is a hub for communication towers (TV, radio, emergency services, you name it!). And hold on to your hat – the wind is relentless up there. Even in summer, you might get snow! Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold. But the views! Oh man, the views! Lake Tahoe shimmering to the west, the Virginia Range sprawling to the east, Mount Rose and the Carson Range to the north, and the Sierras stretching south... it's a vista that'll blow your mind.

Where is Height of Land?easy

Where is Height of Land?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Maine, in Franklin County, specifically, and you stumble upon this place called Height of Land. It’s not just a name; it’s a promise! We're talking an elevation of 2,247 feet (685m), so you know the views are going to be epic. You'll find this gem in the Rangeley Lakes Region, so you already know you're in for some serious natural beauty. The best part? The road is completely paved, smooth sailing all the way. It's actually part of the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway, a 52-mile stretch of pure driving bliss. Trust me; you'll want to roll down the windows for this one. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! It's seriously one of the most stunning spots in Maine. They've even got plenty of parking so you can take your time soaking it all in. You'll be treated to panoramic views of pristine lakes like Mooselookmeguntic, majestic mountains, and even a glimpse of the White Mountains in the distance. Get ready for some serious photo ops!

Carrizo Mountainhard

Carrizo Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Imperial County, California, you HAVE to check out the Carrizo Mountain Trail. This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking a seriously rugged climb up to 2,168 feet in the Coyote Mountains. The road, Carrizo Mountain Trail, itself? Think gravel, rocks, and maybe a few prayers. A 4x4 is an absolute MUST. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in your Prius. Oh, and if you're afraid of heights, maybe grab a buddy to drive. Keep in mind this area is usually closed for part of the year, roughly January through June. Expect a nail-biting, narrow path with some serious drop-offs – one vehicle at a time, folks! It's steep, rocky, and loves to lean outwards, adding to the thrill. After rain, things get extra dicey, so watch out for loose gravel surprises. An old mine road winds through the colorful Painted Gorge, taking you almost to the top. Trust me, though, the views from the summit are worth every white-knuckle moment. You'll see the whole California Desert spread out before you!

Peru Creek Trail is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Coloradomoderate

Peru Creek Trail is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for a scenic mountain escape on the Peru Creek Trail in Colorado's Summit County! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's one of the highest roads in the state! Forest Service Road 260, aka Peru Creek Trail, is a 6.3-mile unpaved adventure. Starting from Montezuma Road at a cool 10,022 feet, it climbs to Horseshoe Basin at a breathtaking 12,335 feet. That's over 2,300 feet of elevation gain! You'll be heading towards Ruby Mountain and Mount Edwards, so keep your eyes peeled for some incredible views. The first 4.7 miles are manageable in a high-clearance 2WD vehicle. It's a pretty smooth ride with plenty of room to pass, so you might even spot some passenger cars. But, I'd recommend an SUV with good clearance for peace of mind. Beyond the Shoe Basin Mine, it transforms into an old 4x4 road – drivable, but closed to motorized vehicles. Nestled in the White River National Forest, Peru Creek Trail is usually open from March to November. Expect snow lingering in Horseshoe Basin well into July, while the lower sections open up earlier in the season. Parallel to the notorious Argentine Pass, this trail delivers an amazing SUV adventure. It's not too challenging and has awe-inspiring scenery, fantastic hiking trails, and connections to other cool routes. The mining history is rich, with tons of well-preserved structures. Plus, you can explore Warden Gulch, Chihuahua Gulch, and Cinnamon Gulch – bonus! The views are truly something special. You'll pass mining relics as you climb through a lush alpine basin with a unique chalk-white stream. Pro-tip: that stream gets its color from calcium and heavy metals, so don't drink it, and keep your pets away!