
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
hardWhere is Hurrah Pass in Moab?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Chicken Corners Trail, a wild ride near Moab, Utah! This 14.8-mile unpaved adventure starts from Kane Creek Canyon Road and winds its way to Fielder Natural Arch. We're talking about a route that straddles San Juan and Grand counties, taking you to a max elevation of 4,793 feet. The road shadows the Colorado River, climbing to the pass (the high point) and then descending to incredible views. For most of the route, a high-clearance SUV should be fine, but the last few miles definitely demand 4x4 capability – things get rough! Expect some seriously exposed sections that'll have you peering straight into canyons – totally worth the adrenaline rush, though. The views from Hurrah Pass are incredible. You can see the Colorado River, the Potash Evaporation ponds, Dead Horse Point, and Canyonlands National Park! You can usually tackle this trail year-round, but late spring and fall are ideal – summer can get scorching. Go early for the best light and to dodge the crowds. Trust me, this drive along the Colorado River is a must-do!
moderateWhere is Green Man Tunnel?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the Green Man Tunnel in South Park Township, Pennsylvania! Sure, it's just an old, graffiti-covered railroad tunnel south of Pittsburgh, built back in 1924 and abandoned in '62. It's blocked off now with big rocks, but the *real* draw is the legend! Locals whisper tales of the "Green Man" or "Charlie No-Face," a dude who met with a horrible accident involving electrical work that left him faceless. People say he walks these parts at night. Now, the *truth* is based on a real guy, Raymond Robinson, who was disfigured as a kid in an accident. He preferred walking at night, and over time, the legend just...grew. Whether you're a believer or not, it's a spooky piece of local history.
moderateIs the road to Cofre de Perote unpaved?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: you're in Mexico, about to tackle one of the country's highest roads, reaching for the sky at an insane elevation. We're talking about the road up Cofre de Perote, an extinct volcano in the state of Veracruz. Now, fair warning, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is mostly unpaved, and super twisty - seriously, hairpin turns for days! They even call one section "Paso de la Muerte" or "Pass of Death" - yikes! It’s not particularly wide, either, so keep your fingers crossed you don’t meet anyone coming the other way…especially if your reverse skills are a little rusty. The summit's got all these communication towers, which are kinda cool, but the real draw is the views. The best time to go is outside of winter when it can get super icy. Rainy season, from about July to October, isn’t ideal either. You're looking at about 17 kilometers of winding, unpaved road to get to the top. But trust me, those kilometers pack a punch, and the payoff is unreal!
hardSanta Fe Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Santa Fe Mountain in Colorado's Clear Creek County is calling your name – if you dare! We're talking a lung-busting 10,410 feet above sea level. This isn't your Sunday drive. Hidden Wilderness Road is a gravel and rocky beast, totally off-limits in winter. Seriously, if you're not comfortable on unpaved, mountain roads, steer clear. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle this one, and a good dose of courage, because it's STEEP and the drops are HUGE. The scenery though? Totally worth it! Prepare for some seriously epic views.