
An Unforgettable Drive to Gold Hill Pass in UT
Usa, north-america
12.07 km
3,060 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Utah's Summit County, hidden within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, you'll find Gold Hill Pass. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 10,039 feet!
Forget smooth pavement; we're talking about Gold Hill Road (FR160), a 7.5-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt. Seriously, you'll want a high-clearance vehicle β ideally a low-geared 2WD or, better yet, a 4x4 β to tackle this one.
The road winds east to west, connecting Mirror Lake Highway (U-150) with Forest Road 638. Keep in mind, this is a seasonal gem, usually open from mid-May to mid-October. So, if you're looking for a wild ride with killer views in the Uinta Mountains, Gold Hill Pass might just be your next unforgettable adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.07 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,060 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhy is it called Conway Summit?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Conway Summit in California's Mono County! This isn't just any drive; it's a high-altitude adventure reaching 8,143 feet! Named after a local legend, John Andrew Conway, this fully paved stretch of U.S. Highway 395 is the highest point on the road. Prepare for a feast for the eyes! The views of Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada are seriously stunning. The drive itself is about 19.5 miles long, cruising north to south from Willow Springs to the town of Lee Vining, right on Mono Lake's edge. Heads up, though: being in the Eastern Sierras, Conway Summit is usually open year-round, but Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball with temporary closures in winter. Snow can get intense! Want to go even higher? Just east of the pass, there's a little gravel road that climbs to 8,415 feet where the radio towers are. Word of warning: it's steep (like, 8% steep!), and you'll definitely want a 4x4 to handle it. Get ready for an epic adventure!
moderateWhere is Glacier Mountain in Colorado?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, adventurers, let's talk Glacier Mountain in the heart of Colorado, tucked away in eastern Summit County! Reaching the top isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking serious off-road territory on Forest Service Road #275, also known as Saints Johns Road. Leave your all-wheel-drive at home; you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. ATVs? You're golden. This route is a short but intense climb. From Montezuma, it's a relatively short but steep adventure, gaining some serious elevation. Hold on tight because you'll be crawling over some pretty gnarly sections. Heads up: this road is typically snowed in until mid-June. Only attempt it in good weather. Why bother? Because reaching the summit, the views are insane! You'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Clear Creek County peaks. Plus, the area is steeped in Colorado's mining history, with old mining roads and claims scattered around. It's a window into the past with a view to die for!
hardWhere is Trail Canyon Road?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a seriously epic desert drive, you HAVE to check out Trail Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park. You'll find this gem smack-dab in the eastern-central part of California, winding through the park's backcountry. Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday cruise. It's a 10.7-mile unpaved rollercoaster, and slow is the name of the game, thanks to the many washes you'll be navigating. The reward? Pure desert magic. The road takes you to a spring at the canyon forks. The first side canyon on the left offers some great scenery! Forget about looping back to Aguereberry Point Road, though β that section's been closed after a washout. A high-clearance vehicle is a must for the first 4 miles to the top of the alluvial fan, and then you'll probably want 4x4 for the last 5.5 miles to be safe!
moderateWhere is Leek Spring Hill?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, buckle up adventurers, because Leek Spring Hill in California's Eldorado National Forest is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about a proper off-road adventure. Leek Spring Hill Road climbs to an elevation of [elevation], and you're going to want a 4x4 for this one. The unpaved road stretches for [length] from the Mormon Emigrant Trail, so get ready for some serious bumping and grinding. Be sure to come prepared, because cell service is spotty in these parts. The views from the lookout are totally worth the white knuckles. You'll be able to drink in views of Pyramid Peak and the Crystal Range to the North, and Thimble Peak and Round Top to the East. Word to the wise: This isn't a year-round excursion. The road is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which means it's usually under a blanket of snow and impassable above the snow line during winter. You'll generally have to wait until [month] before you can reach the summit.