
Aztec Peak is a road to the highest point of Sierra Anchas
Usa, north-america
160.9 km
2,361 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Arizona's Tonto National Forest, you'll find Aztec Peak, a whopping 7,746 feet high. This bad boy is the highest point in the Sierra Anchas!
Getting to the top is an adventure in itself. You'll be tackling Forest Service Road 487 (aka Workman Creek Road), which kicks off from the Arizona 288-Globe Young Highway. Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking unpaved roads that are typically closed from mid-December to the end of March (snow depending!).
You'll definitely need a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive beast to make it. Once you pass the waterfall, the road gets seriously steep, narrow, and a little nerve-wracking if you're not a fan of heights. The final stretch is a single-track forest road that's rocky in parts. If you're lucky and the gate's open, you can drive all the way to the top.
Now, for a little heads-up: this area has naturally occurring uranium and radium-266. In other words, low-level radiation. So, a HUGE no-no to going into any of the mines!
But, the views! At the summit, you'll find a fire lookout tower built in 1956. And the 360-degree panoramic views? They're mind-blowing, stretching over 100 miles in every direction. Itโs tucked away in the Salome Wilderness. Trust me, it's worth the white-knuckle drive!
Where is it?
Aztec Peak is a road to the highest point of Sierra Anchas is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.9078, -101.3300
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 160.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,361 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.9078, -101.3300
Related Roads in north-america
moderateTravel guide to the top of Mount Defiance in OR
๐บ๐ธ Usa
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride up Mount Defiance in Oregon! Perched way up in Mount Hood National Forest, this peak clocks in at a cool 4,967 feet. The route to the top? Think unpaved adventure! It's technically called NF-2821, but I call it a rollicking good time. Word to the wise: this road is usually snowed-in from October to June, so plan accordingly. You'll definitely want a 4x4 to tackle this one. You'll find some buildings and antenna towers when you finally reach the top. Trust me, the views are worth the bumpy ride. You'll be snapping pics like crazy โ the 360ยบ panorama from the summit is unreal! Gaze south at majestic Mt. Hood, east towards the Hood River Valley, west to Mt. St. Helens in Washington, and north to the Columbia River and Mt. Adams. Fun fact: the summit is the highest point in the whole Columbia River Gorge! Get ready for some serious views.
hardWhere is Pucker Pass?
๐บ๐ธ Usa
Pucker Pass sits high in the sky at feet above sea level, snuggled in . This road is seriously ! Four-wheel drive vehicles are your best bet, although anything with high clearance should be able to handle it. So, where exactly is this "Pucker Pass"? It's on the of Canyonlands National Park, just north of . It plunges , offering stunning views of . Why "Pucker Pass," you ask? Well, it's a name dreamed up by some brave Jeepers who thought navigating this canyon back in the day was a way more experience than it is now. Is it paved? Nope! Pucker Pass is all about that , with a bit of mud and sand thrown in โ usually . Uphill drivers supposedly have the right of way, but don't count on everyone playing by the rules. Stay and watch out when you're passing other vehicles. Expect to dodge some rocks โ nothing too crazy, but keep your eyes peeled. There's usually enough space to pass or pull over. How tough is the drive? It's overall, but you'll hit some , particularly right through the pass where it gets a bit . Most of the time, it's a pretty wide gravel road, but the bit that goes through can get a little narrow. Usually, it's perfectly fine for your standard 4x4 , unless it's been raining cats and dogs and caused some extra damage. How long is the road? From , itโs a climb, gaining in elevation. The road averages out to about . Best time to go? , when the weather's playing nice. Definitely skip it during wild weather , and it's way better when the road is , things can get a little more interesting.
extremeBess Lake
๐บ๐ธ Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers and view-chasers, listen up! Bess Lake in south-central Utah is calling your name, but getting there is half the adventure. We're talking serious altitude here โ 11,092 feet! So yeah, the weather can be a beast any time of year. Tucked away in the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests, on Thousand Lake Mountain, reaching this beauty spot is no walk in the park. You'll absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle Forest Road 1001. This gravel track snaking up Boulder Mountain (Aquarius Plateau) is rocky, rugged, and can get pretty treacherous. Typically, you can hit this road between mid-June and the end of October. Pro tip: only venture out when it's dry. Mountain weather is seriously unpredictable, so even in summer, pack for winter conditions. And speaking of summer, those afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast and furious โ find shelter ASAP if you see them brewing. But hey, if you're up for the challenge, you'll be rewarded with epic scenery, gnarly off-roading, awesome hikes, and some seriously sweet fishing spots!
hardForest Road 1950
๐บ๐ธ Usa
Hey fellow adventurers! Let me tell you about Forest Road 1950 in northern New Mexico's Taos and Colfax counties. This baby's a gravel road that climbs way, way up โ topping out at 10,062 feet! We're talking some of the highest roads in the whole state. Expect a few steep stretches to keep things interesting, and while it's usually open year-round, Mother Nature sometimes throws a wintery tantrum and closes it down. Be prepared for tough weather! On the bright side, there are campgrounds dotted along the route for chill breaks or an overnight stay. Get ready for some incredible scenery as you climb!