Aztec Peak is a road to the highest point of Sierra Anchas

Aztec Peak is a road to the highest point of Sierra Anchas

Usa, north-america

Length

160.9 km

Elevation

2,361 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

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. It’s 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

Share this road

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

Where is Beef Pasture Gap?hard

Where is Beef Pasture Gap?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to Beef Pasture Gap in Jeff Davis County, Texas! This isn't your average highway – it's perched way up at 6,161 feet! Seriously, it's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the Lone Star State. You'll be cruising along Texas State Highway 118 (SH 118), a fully paved road that winds its way through the stunning Davis Mountains. The whole route clocks in at about 51.4 miles, stretching from I-10 down to Texas State Highway 17, near the cool little town of Fort Davis. Get ready for some seriously scenic backcountry vibes!

Where is the Clay Butte Lookout?moderate

Where is the Clay Butte Lookout?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, picture this: You're cruising through northwestern Wyoming, in the Shoshone National Forest, and you spot the turnoff for Forest Road 142. This is your ticket to the Clay Butte Lookout, built way back in 1942. Now, fair warning, it's a dirt and gravel road all the way. Think bumpy, a little washboard-y, but honestly, most cars can handle it. Just leave the RV and trailer behind – they won't make it. There is parking for trailers available at the Leek Spring Hill, a few miles beyond the lookout. The road itself is only about 6 miles long, but it's a steady climb. It gains quite a bit of elevation, with an average gradient of . And trust me, that effort is worth it! Keep in mind, because you're up so high in the northern Rockies, this road is really only open in summer, typically from late June. Even then, be prepared for anything – snow, freezing temps, afternoon thunderstorms are all possibilities. Watch out for rockslides! But that view? Unforgettable! You'll get a glimpse of lofty peaks, emerald valleys, and sparkling lakes – scenery you just can't see from the main highway. It's a panoramic masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've bumped your way back down.

Is the road to Rattlesnake Pass in Box Elder County paved?easy

Is the road to Rattlesnake Pass in Box Elder County paved?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning landscapes of northwestern Utah, near the Idaho border, on I-84 – that's Rattlesnake Pass! This isn't some backroad either; it's a well-maintained highway, making your drive a breeze. The pass stretches for about 34 miles (55 km) between Tremonton and Snowville. The elevation tops out at around 5,314 feet (1,620 meters), so you're definitely getting up there! Now, a heads-up: while it's usually open year-round, Mother Nature can throw a curveball, especially in winter. Snowstorms and crazy weather can cause temporary closures, so keep an eye on the forecast. But trust me, the views are worth it!

Wofford Lookouthard

Wofford Lookout

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, road trip enthusiasts, let's talk about Wofford Lookout in New Mexico's Otero County! Perched way up high in the Lincoln National Forest, this spot sits at a dizzying 9,179 feet. Getting there is half the adventure. The road's a gravel and rocky beast that's best left untouched during winter. If you're not comfy with unpaved mountain roads, this might not be your cup of tea. Seriously, 4x4 is a must. And if heights make you queasy, maybe admire this one from afar, because the trail is STEEP. But trust me, the views are worth it! Plus, you'll be checking out a piece of history – the lookout tower was built back in '33. Get ready for some seriously amazing scenery!