Big Horn Reservoir
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,727 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Big Horn in Colorado's El Paso County. We're talking SERIOUSLY high altitude here—12,227 feet! It's one of the highest roads in the entire state, nestled right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Now, fair warning: the road to the top is a bit…rustic. Think gravel, rocks, and a bumpy, tippy ride. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this one. And be aware this road is typically closed from October to June, depending on the weather.
But oh my gosh, the views are worth it! Just keep in mind that you're up super high, so expect strong winds and crazy-fast weather changes. Seriously, be prepared for cold temps and howling winds, even in summer. You might even see some snow! But trust me, the wild, raw beauty of this place is unforgettable.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,727 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Vermilion Pass?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Vermilion Pass, a seriously stunning mountain route straddling Alberta and British Columbia, right in the heart of Canada. This beauty sits pretty high at 1,647 meters (5,403 feet) above sea level, smack-dab on the Continental Divide within Banff National Park. Why "Vermilion"? Blame the iron oxide springs nearby – they give everything a reddish hue! Historically, this pass was a hotspot for fur traders and explorers. Now, it’s a paved dream drive: British Columbia Highway 93 (aka the Banff-Windermere Highway). The whole shebang stretches 105 kilometers (65 miles), winding from Radium Hot Springs in BC to Castle Junction in Alberta. Word to the wise: You're in the Canadian Rockies, so expect a subarctic climate! Winter means heavy snow and icy roads. Summer? Cool and crisp. Drive carefully and soak in those views!
moderateWhere is Ptarmigan Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Ptarmigan Pass in Colorado! This epic mountain pass sits way up high at 11,777 feet, right on the border of Summit and Eagle counties. You'll find it smack-dab in the White River National Forest, in the heart of Colorado. Now, the road – Forest Road 747 – is all-dirt, so be prepared for some serious off-roading! 4x4 is definitely recommended, although 2WD might be able to make it from the west side. Get ready for some tight switchbacks, a rocky trail that hugs the creek, and some potentially tricky sections. When it’s wet, watch out! It gets extra slippery. The road stretches for about 6 miles from Resolution Creek Road to Turkey Creek Road (Forest Road 709). If you’re feeling extra adventurous, there's a 4x4 gravel road heading west that takes you even higher, up to a peak at 12,076 feet. Keep in mind, this road is a no-go in the winter. It's nestled high in the Rockies, so snow makes it impassable. But trust me, the views and the thrill of the drive are totally worth it when it's open!
moderateWhere are the Gilman tunnels?
🇺🇸 Usa
Tucked away in northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains, in the USA, the Gilman Tunnels, blasted out of the rock in the 1920s, were originally used for a logging railroad and are quite high. The tunnels have been the filming locations of many Hollywood hits. Where are the Gilman tunnels? The tunnels, also known as Jemez tunnels, are located near the town of Jemez Springs, in Sandoval County (New Mexico), on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. Can you drive through Gilman tunnels? The road through the tunnels is called State Highway 485. The winding road is entirely paved but very narrow with sharp and blind curves. This road has an excellent surface, grades are moderate, and traffic is very light (heavier on summer weekends). On the far side of the tunnels, the road turns into the gravel Forest Service Road 376. Not recommended for passenger vehicles. Are Gilman Tunnels open? This road is usually closed due to snow and poor road conditions from Dec 15 to April 15. Snow often remains in the area until late April or early May until the spring and summer heat dries things out. It can be closed due to falling rocks and debris anytime. No phone reception out there. Why were the Gilman tunnels built? The route was part of the former Santa Fe Northwestern Railway (SFNW). It was used in the early 1900s to haul lumber from the Jemez. The railroad never fully recovered from the Great Wall Street Crash of 1929 and ceased operations in 1941 following flood damage from the Guadalupe River. The railway was eventually retired, which allowed the tunnels to be converted into one of New Mexico’s most photogenic and interesting stretches of road. They were named after William H. Gilman (one-time CEO of the SFNW Rail Road). Is the road through Gilman tunnels worth it? This is a remarkable road trip. Remember to bring your camera. It’s a two old large stone logging rail tunnel perched high above the Guadalupe River, offering stunning views of the box canyon and Jemez . After the second tunnel, you will find a beautiful waterfall and many rocks to climb around and rest on. This beautiful loop drive from the Elk Mountain Lodge is a must-do. This roadside attraction offers stunning views, both of the tunnels themselves and also of the beautiful box canyon and the Guadalupe River below. The Gilman Tunnels were used in the filming of at least three Hollywood movies: 3:10 to Yuma (2007), The Lone Ranger (2013), and The Scorch Trials (2015). Slumgullion Pass is the steepest paved maintained road in Colorado Beautiful turnouts and scary gradients on the road to Teton Pass in Wyoming 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.
extremeLion's Back in Utah: the consequences for mistakes here are severe
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Moab, Utah. Red rocks as far as the eye can see. And smack dab in the middle of it all, there *used* to be Lion's Back. This sandstone ridge was legendary. I'm talking heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping, make-you-question-your-sanity legendary. We're talking a climb of several hundred feet (around 350!), with slopes that ramped up to a crazy 65-degree gradient. Imagine inching your way up that, then having to pull off the world's most precarious multi-point turn at the summit before gingerly descending! It was an iconic off-road challenge. Of course, this kind of terrain wasn't without its dangers. There were those precipitous drop-offs on either side, and the occasional "uh oh" moment, like that infamous video of a Blazer losing its brakes and tumbling down. Yikes! But let's be real, it was the *views* that made it special. Just incredible. Sadly, the fun came to an end. Lion's Back is now private property and closed to off-roaders. Environmental concerns and safety issues led to its closure, and now it’s just a memory. It still stands as a testament to Moab's wild spirit, though!