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. 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
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
extremeWhere is Lo 7 Hill?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Lo 7 Hill in Colorado's Rio Blanco County is calling your name! South of Meeker, you'll find this beast of a peak, topping out at a cool 8,540 feet. Now, let's be real – this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking about a solid 7.45 miles of unpaved, unmaintained glory. Forget your low-riders; you'll need a 4x4 with some serious clearance to tackle this bad boy. Picture this: a narrow, rocky track, loose stones flying everywhere, and sections so steep they'll make your stomach drop. Oh, and did I mention winter? Yeah, no. Mother Nature shuts this party down completely with snow, so plan your trip accordingly. But trust me, the views from the top are worth every bump and scrape. Get ready for some seriously epic Southern Rocky Mountain scenery!
moderateDriving Interstate 90 to Homestake Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Montana
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Homestake Pass in beautiful Montana! This paved beauty sits at a cool 6,410 feet up in the Rocky Mountains, right on the Jefferson/Silver Bow county line. You'll find it nestled inside the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. We're talking Interstate 90 here, and Homestake Pass marks its highest point on that massive, cross-country highway. Fun fact: when I-90 was built, they chose this route over Pipestone Pass for an easier crossing of the Continental Divide. Smart move, Montana! The stretch we're interested in is about 25 miles long, connecting Butte to Whitehall. And while it's usually open year-round, keep an eye on the weather in the winter. Mother Nature can be a bit unpredictable, and you might find a temporary closure due to snow or ice.
moderateWhere is the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico, right in the heart of Eddy County. You're winding your way through the rugged Guadalupe Mountains, heading towards the incredible Carlsbad Caverns – a mind-blowing network of limestone caves sculpted over, like, 250 million years. The whole drive, which they also call Reef Top Circle, takes about 45 minutes and is a chance to soak in all the desert has to offer – plants, critters, the whole shebang. There are marked stops along the way so you can delve deeper into what you're seeing with a guide. You can do this drive any time of year, but be warned, it can get HOT in the summer months. Fall is where it's at, though – just perfect driving weather. The dirt road itself is almost 10 miles long, a one-way loop that kicks off from Carlsbad Cavern Highway (Highway 7) near the visitor center and loops back around. Keep in mind this is a bit rough for cars that sit low to the ground, and it's a no-go for RVs, buses, or trailers.
hardSilvertip Basin
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamt of conquering a road that scrapes the sky? Then Silvertip Basin in Wyoming's Absaroka range is calling your name. We're talking a lung-busting 10,633 feet (3,241m) above sea level, making it one of the highest drives in the state! Forest Road 1013I isn't for the faint of heart. Picture this: a super skinny, rocky track that climbs like a homesick angel. You'll definitely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. And heads up, this road is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. Heights phobia? Maybe skip this one. But if you're brave enough, you'll be rewarded with views that'll make your jaw drop. Just remember, this is an old mine road, so expect a wild, rugged ride, and keep an eye on the weather. Thunderstorms can turn those dirt tracks into a 4x4-only mud bath in a heartbeat!