Beckwourth Peak
Usa, north-america
8.05 km
2,205 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, let's talk Beckwourth Peak in sunny California! This beast of a mountain climbs to a whopping 7,234 feet in the Plumas National Forest, offering insane views of the Sierra Valley and the surrounding mountains.
The road, a dirt Forest Service road, is a bit of a climb. While most of it's doable in a 2WD, you'll DEFINITELY need a 4x4 for the final 3 1/4 miles to the summit where you'll find some comms towers. Be warned: this road is STEEP, averaging an 8.59% gradient! The climb from Portola McLears Road is just over 8km, gaining a hefty 692 meters in elevation.
Word to the wise: this road is a NO-GO in winter. But if you hit it right, the views are totally worth the climb! Get ready for an unforgettable off-road experience.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 8.05 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,205 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhat’s the Old Plank Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Southern California, early 1900s. You're trying to get from San Diego to Yuma, Arizona, but there's this HUGE obstacle in your way – the Algodones Dunes. Miles and miles of shifting sand. So, what do you do? You build a road *on top* of the sand! Enter the Old Plank Road. Back in 1915, they laid down wooden planks, like railroad tracks for cars, creating a one-lane path across about eight miles of those treacherous dunes. It was a total game-changer, connecting California and Arizona and boosting trade like crazy. Imagine cruising along, feeling like you're driving on a wooden rollercoaster through a real-life desert dreamscape. Now, it wasn't all smooth sailing. The desert is a harsh mistress, and those shifting sands required constant upkeep. Think "Sisyphean task" but with mules and planks. They even had passing spots every mile so cars going opposite directions didn't get stuck in a sandy standoff. Sadly, this wild ride didn't last forever. By the late 1920s, it was replaced with something more permanent. But! You can still find remnants of the Old Plank Road nestled in the dunes today. It's a total throwback, a reminder of how people conquered the desert back in the day. Plus, these dunes are seriously stunning - they've been backdrops for movies like "Return of the Jedi," so you KNOW they're epic!
moderateCan I drive through Maclaren Summit in AK?
🇺🇸 Usa
MacLaren Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.250m (4,101ft) above the sea level, in the US state of Alaska. It’s one of the highest roads in Alaska Can I drive through Maclaren Summit in AK? Tucked away on the central part of Alaska, the road to the summit is mostly unpaved. Denali Highway (Alaska Route 8) Conditions of the road vary from well maintained to rough and bumpy. Many rental car companies will prohibit driving the Denali Highway, but a number of companies do allow travelers to take their cars on this road. The road is 135 miles (217 km) long. It’s mostly unpaved and runs from Paxson on the Richardson Highway to Cantwell on the Parks Highway. Is Maclaren Summit in AK open? Set high in the mighty Alaska Range, the road is usually impassable from late October through late May. The road was opened in 1957 and it’s lightly traveled . The pass offers stunning views and easy access to alpine tundra. The Ultimate Road Trip To Aquarius Plateau in UT Usery Pass in Arizona is an absolute must for road lovers Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardWhere is Upper Pomeroy Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Upper Pomeroy Lake in Colorado! This alpine gem sits way up high at 12,283 feet in Chaffee County, nestled north of Salida at the base of Pomeroy Mountain. And get this – just a little over 4,000 feet north of it is another lake! Getting there is an experience. Forest Service Road 297, your path to paradise, is a 3.75-mile unpaved track of steep and rocky goodness. It's moderately challenging, but rewards you with stunning views, a taste of Colorado history, and access to some killer hiking and fishing. Word to the wise: you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this trail. Sadly, vehicles aren't allowed to go all the way to the lake anymore, so be prepared for a bit of a walk. Keep in mind that due to its high-altitude location in the Sawatch Mountains, the road is usually only open from late June through October. Expect the ice on Upper Pomeroy Lake to stick around until late June or early July.
easyIs Cottonwood Cove Road in Nevada paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Cottonwood Cove Road in Nevada, heading towards some serious lakeside chill time! This paved beauty snakes for about 13.4 miles through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, offering stunning views the whole way. You'll start near Searchlight, a quirky little town just an hour south of the Vegas madness, and wind your way to Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave. Give yourself around 25 minutes for the drive, but trust me, you'll want to budget extra time for photo ops! Keep an eye out for flash flood warnings, especially, during the rainy season - this desert landscape can change in a heartbeat. Also, heads up that it's a popular route in the summer, so expect some company. Get ready for some incredible desert scenery and good times!