
Bare Cone
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,386 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Bare Cone, a seriously stunning peak way up in southwest Montana's Ravalli County. At 7,828 feet, the views are mind-blowing! Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, even bears – this place is teeming with wildlife.
Getting there is half the fun. You'll be tackling Forest Service Road #1303 – think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bumpin' and grindin'. This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive! This trail, located within the Bitterroot National Forest, is definitely one for experienced off-roaders; 4x4 is your best friend here. And if you're not a fan of heights... well, let's just say this might test your courage. It gets pretty steep. Rain turns the road into a muddy mess, so pick a dry day! Your reward? A super cool fire lookout tower at the summit, built way back in 1922 and still in use. It's a hotspot for hikers, bikers, quad riders, and anyone craving a serious dose of epic scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,386 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateHow to get to the scenic Athabasca Pass Lookout in Alberta?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, so you're cruising through the Canadian Rockies, right? You absolutely HAVE to hit up the Athabasca Pass Lookout! We're talking Jasper National Park vibes, east of majestic Mount Edith Cavell, with a super convenient, big ol' parking lot. The lookout itself sits pretty at 1,277m (that's 4,189ft for my imperial system friends), and yeah, the views are LEGIT. Towering mountains, icy glaciers, lakes so blue they look photoshopped — it's the perfect place to just soak it all in. Now, heads up: a big fire ripped through the area in 2024. It changed things, for sure. While it's sad to see some of the greenery gone, the burned landscape has its own kind of haunting beauty. It's a different perspective, and honestly, a powerful one. You'll see the resilience of nature firsthand. Getting there is a breeze. Just hop on the AB-93 (aka the Icefields Parkway), a fully paved road in great condition. It's a 151km (94 mile) stretch running north-south from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Trust me, it's a road trip you won't forget!
hardWhere is Kennebec Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so Kennebec Pass in Colorado? Get ready for a wild ride! Located northwest of Durango, up in La Plata County, this baby tops out at a whopping 11,683 feet! The road, County Road 124, is an unpaved beast, a relic from the 1800s when prospectors carved it into the mountains. The adventure kicks off near Hesperus on US-160, and the full journey stretches for about 14.1 miles. Expect some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 15% in places. You'll probably want a 4WD for the last couple of miles; near the top, there are some major drop-offs. Take it slow, and keep your eyes on the road. This isn’t a crowded route, so pack accordingly, especially if you are on a bike! When can you go? It's nestled high in the San Juan National Forest, so snow usually shuts it down from late spring to late fall. But the payoff? Oh man, the views! Think mind-blowing panoramas of the Rocky Mountains. You'll find an obvious parking area about a mile before the pass. Keep an eye out for cool relics like old mining gear and abandoned buildings along the way. Trust me, reaching the summit is like stepping into a postcard – pure, breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery.
hardCamel Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're looking for a real off-road challenge in Nevada, Camel Peak is calling your name. We're talking a summit way up there at 9,438 feet, nestled in White Pine County. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive. The road is gravel, and it gets seriously rocky and bumpy – you'll be tipping and tilting for sure. Winter? Forget about it. This road is snowed in, inaccessible. This is strictly for experienced off-roaders with serious 4x4s, who aren't afraid of heights. Be prepared for a seriously steep climb! If it's wet, that gravel turns into a muddy mess. Oh, and if you're feeling extra adventurous, a smaller gravel track at the peak goes even higher to 10,301 feet. The views? Totally worth it. The bragging rights? Priceless.
hardWhen was Rim Rock Drive built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Rim Rock Drive, located in Mesa County, Colorado, is a must-do for any road trip through the American West. Nestled within Colorado National Monument, this 25.9-mile gem carves its way along the canyon rims between Grand Junction and Fruita, serving up dizzying views that will leave you breathless. This engineering marvel, built between 1931 and 1950, is the only paved road in the park and offers access to all the main attractions. Plan for about an hour of drive time each way to experience it without stops, though you'll definitely want to pull over! The road is typically open year-round but rock slides can occur during rainy weather, and temporary closures happen due to rockfall or winter conditions, so check the forecast. As you wind through red rock canyons dotted with pine and juniper, keep an eye out for golden eagles soaring above. Rim Rock Drive isn't just a scenic route—it’s an experience. It's the gateway to the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, campground, 19 viewpoints, and 14 hiking trails, each offering its own unique perspective. But be warned: this road isn't for the faint of heart. With its narrow shoulders, tight corners, steep sections, and sheer drop-offs, it demands your full attention. Watch for bicyclists, wildlife, and fallen rocks. Larger vehicles need to be aware of the tunnels, especially near the edges. And on the east side, watch out for large trucks heading to Glade Park via switchbacks with a significant elevation change. If heights aren’t your thing, some parts of this drive might be a bit unsettling.