
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 – ideally a low-geared 2WD or, better yet, a 4x4 – 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
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