Betty Bear Hut

Betty Bear Hut

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,383 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Betty Bear Hut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.383m (11,099ft), located in Pitkin County, in central Colorado, United States.

Located on the western slope of the Continental Divide, and surrounded by thick forests and snowy peaks, this very steep infamous gravel road to the hut is rough with several hairpin turns.  It’s called Forest Road 527. Make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. 4wd vehicle required. The route is snow free from June to October. Always be prepared for winter weather, even in summer.

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.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,383 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

How Challenging is the Road to Sawtell Peak?extreme

How Challenging is the Road to Sawtell Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near Island Park, Idaho, you HAVE to check out Sawtell Peak! This epic drive takes you up Forest Road 024 (aka Sawtell Peak Road) inside the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, close to the Montana border. Think of it as a well-maintained, but steep gravel rollercoaster with tons of hairpin turns. I wouldn't advise bringing your trailer along for this one! If you're scared of heights, be warned: some sections are seriously exposed. Under normal conditions, you can tackle it in a regular car, but avoid it when things get super wet. The climb starts on US-20 and stretches for 11.5 miles to the top. In that short distance, you'll gain a whopping 3,458 feet! That's an average gradient of 5.69%, so get ready for some serious switchbacks. At the summit, you'll find a flight traffic control radar station doing its thing, but who cares about that when you've got insane views?! Speaking of which, this road is named after a rock formation that looks like a Native American chief, earning it the nickname "Chief Rains in the Face." The landscape offers mind-blowing panoramas of valleys, peaks, and local wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled! A word of caution: this area is no joke. Locals joke that there are only two seasons: Winter and July. Snowstorms can pop up out of nowhere, and even in summer, the winds can get pretty wild. The road's usually closed from November 1st to June 1st. Sure, the FAA maintains it for the radar station in winter, but with snow depths up to 25 feet and avalanche danger, it's best to avoid it. Just remember to park safely if you stop to enjoy the scenery, and watch out for other vehicles. Trust me; the views are worth every nerve-wracking turn!

Adventure along Little Annie Roadmoderate

Adventure along Little Annie Road

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're heading to Colorado? You HAVE to check out Little Annie Road in Pitkin County! Seriously, this drive is pure magic. Tucked away in the White River National Forest, this 4.5-mile stretch of unpaved road (also known as County Road 15G) takes you on a wild ride. It's usually in pretty good shape, but you'll be cruising at high altitude the whole time, hitting a peak of 11,374 feet! Starting from paved County Road 15, it connects you to County Road 15E. Be warned: the 4x4 crowd loves this road, especially on weekends, so expect some company. But trust me, the views of Castle Creek Valley are worth it. Just a heads up, though – snow can linger up here until late June or even July, so plan accordingly!

Where is Dutchman Peak?hard

Where is Dutchman Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Southern Oregon, practically kissing the California border, lies Dutchman Peak in the Siskiyou Mountains. This isn't just any mountain; it's home to a seriously cool, vintage fire lookout perched right on the summit! Getting there is half the fun, but be warned: Road 800 (aka Dutchman Peak Road) is no Sunday drive. This unpaved track climbs steeply for about 2 miles, gaining around 375 feet. We're talking rocks, sharp rocks, the kind that laugh at low-profile tires. Trust me, you'll want a 4WD or AWD vehicle with some serious clearance. The road's narrow, kinda tilted, and skips the guardrails, so keep your eyes on the prize (and the road!). You'll probably have to park near a gate and hike the last half-mile. But oh, the views! Once you reach the top, prepare for a 360-degree panorama that'll knock your socks off. You can see for miles across Southern Oregon and even catch a glimpse of Mount Shasta way down in California. It's the perfect spot to soak in the entire Siskiyou range in all its glory. Heads up, though: No cell service up there! Download your maps beforehand. Also, this road is usually snowed in from late October through June, so plan your trip accordingly. And definitely check your spare tire before you head up, those rocks are tire-slayers! There aren't any facilities, so bring your own water and snacks. Trust me, the bragging rights (and the views) are totally worth it!

Milk Cow Passextreme

Milk Cow Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Milk Cow Pass in Colorado's Saguache County. We're talking serious altitude here - 11,004 feet! You'll find this gem tucked away inside the Rio Grande National Forest. Now, a word of warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. County Road 26A is a gravel 4x4 track, so leave the low riders at home. You'll need some clearance and a bit of off-road skill. Keep an eye on the weather, because things can get hairy up there. Think avalanches, heavy snow, landslides... not exactly postcard material. Expect a rocky, potentially muddy ride, but the views? Absolutely worth it. Get ready for some epic scenery!