Blue Lake

Blue Lake

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,728 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Blue Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3.728m (12,230ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s

one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

The narrow road to the summit, located in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). It’s an old mining road. Along the way the trail passes historic mining structures including the remains of an old tram, mining cabins and a bunkhouse. Nestled in a glacial cirque, it’s a great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 vehicle required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Conditions can change rapidly, be careful of the weather. Access through snow can change daily.

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
3,728 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

La Lagunita Roadmoderate

La Lagunita Road

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, picture this: You're kicking off in Orizabita, a cool 1,900 meters above sea level. Buckle up because you're about to climb! In just 6 kilometers, this road throws you up to La Lagunita at a breathtaking 2,770 meters. Hold on tight as you navigate 15 hairpin turns – seriously, they're epic! The views? Insane! Think sweeping vistas of the Ixmiquilpan valley and rugged desert mountains stretching out forever. Just a heads-up, it's a narrow cliff road that leads to San Pedro de Analco. So keep your eyes on the road and soak it all in!

Can you drive to Moraine Lake?hard

Can you drive to Moraine Lake?

🇨🇦 Canada

Okay, picture this: you're in Alberta, Canada, practically straddling the British Columbia border, smack-dab in Banff National Park. Towering peaks surround you. You're headed to Moraine Lake. This blue-green beauty sits way up high at 1,885m (6,183ft). Now, here's the deal: you can't just roll up in your own car anymore (as of 2023). You'll need to hop on a shuttle, public transport, or a commercial tour. Biking is an option too! The road itself (Lake Louise Drive) is paved and winds for 14.3 km (8.88 miles) from Lake Louise to the parking lot near the lake. Heads up: it gets super busy in the summer and late September. But trust me, it's worth the trip. You're driving through the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and the views are insane! Moraine Lake itself? Forget about it. It's one of the most photographed spots in Canada for a reason, even though it's only half the size of Lake Louise. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears! Bring bear spray, make some noise, and pay attention to your surroundings. Important: this road is only open from about mid-June to mid-October. Heavy snow and avalanches close it down for the winter. And if you go right when it opens, don't expect that iconic turquoise water right away. The lake needs time to thaw, and it usually peaks in late June.

Can you drive to Mauna Loa Observatory?hard

Can you drive to Mauna Loa Observatory?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're on the Big Island of Hawai’i, ready for an adventure up the slopes of Mauna Loa, a massive active volcano. The road you're about to tackle? Mauna Loa Scenic Drive, also known as Mauna Loa Observatory Road. It’s about 17 miles of narrow, paved road carving its way through a seriously otherworldly lunar landscape made of solidified lava. "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, and this road lives up to the name! Built in the 1950s, it climbs from around 6,500 feet to over 11,000 feet, all the way to the Mauna Loa Observatory, a super important research facility studying climate change. The road is steep, gaining over 4,600 feet in elevation – that's an average gradient of almost 5%. A 2WD vehicle can handle it, but be ready for some rough patches and potholes, especially at the beginning. Keep an eye out for that thin white "fog line" down the middle – it's your guide when the clouds roll in. The pavement can be barely wider than a car, and the shoulder is basically jagged lava rock, so straddle that line whenever you can to protect your tires. This road can be hazardous, with blind hills and turns. Go slow, be careful around corners, and fill up your gas tank before you go – there are no services at the top! The views are worth it, though! On a clear day, you’ll see Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala (on Maui!), Hualalai, and the saddle at Pohakuloa. You might even spot other islands! But a word of caution: weather changes fast up here. If fog or clouds start to roll in, bail immediately! This road is NOT where you want to be in low visibility. Winter can bring blizzards, high winds, and whiteouts – snow is possible any time of year. High-altitude storms can pop up without warning. And remember, Mauna Loa is an active volcano, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1984. Volcanic eruptions are possible at any time. Be smart, be prepared, and enjoy the ride!

Driving the road to Eddy Gulch Lookout atop Klamath Peak in CAhard

Driving the road to Eddy Gulch Lookout atop Klamath Peak in CA

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Klamath Peak in Northern California's Klamath National Forest is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious off-road experience to a sky-high summit sitting at 6,519 feet. The road to the top? Pure, unadulterated dirt. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to conquer this one. Your reward at the peak is the Eddy Gulch Lookout, a fire tower with a cool history—it was once the post of Hallie Morse Daggett, the first female fire observer hired by the U.S. Forest Service! It’s still used today. Eddy Gulch Lookout Road winds up from Sawyers Bar along the North Fork Salmon River. Clocking in at just over 18 miles, you'll climb a whopping 4,343 feet. Be prepared for a steep climb with constant twists and turns. The views? Totally worth it!