Bobcat Pass is a high mountain road in New Mexico
Usa, north-america
46.99 km
2,995 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Bobcat Pass! This beauty sits way up high in New Mexico's Carson National Forest, at a cool 9,826 feet. You'll find it straddling the Taos and Colfax County line in northern New Mexico — keep your eyes peeled for the bobcats that gave the pass its name!
NM-38, a fully paved road, is your path to the summit. Clocking in at just over 29 miles, it connects the towns of Questa and Eagle Nest with some serious elevation changes.
Prepare for a bit of a climb! The road gets steep in sections, with gradients hitting 10%. Coming from Questa, you’ve got almost 18.5 miles to ascend, gaining a whopping 3,600 feet. The average grade is around 3.7%, but there's a tough 4-mile stretch leading up to the pass (the first couple miles from Red River will really get your heart pumping). But, hey, what goes up must come down, right? Reward yourself with a stunning 13-mile cruise downhill into Eagle Nest through the Moreno Valley. It's mostly downhill, and the views are incredible!
Where is it?
Bobcat Pass is a high mountain road in New Mexico is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.8045, -96.5689
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 46.99 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,995 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.8045, -96.5689
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Granite Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! You HAVE to check out the road to Granite Peak in central Montana – seriously breathtaking! Nestled on the eastern edge of the Tobacco Root Mountains, this unpaved adventure is not for the faint of heart. How high are we talking? Well, it's one of the highest roads in Montana. The whole route is totally unpaved and features some seriously narrow sections – so, yeah, proceed with caution! Clocking in at just under 13 miles long, you'll gain some serious elevation – expect some steep gradients! And, this road is closed in winter – makes sense, right? Think incredible scenery – the kind that makes you want to pull over every five minutes to snap a photo. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road...and maybe bring a passenger to be your personal photographer! If you love roads with a bit of an edge and views that are totally worth it, Granite Peak is calling your name.
moderateWhere is Highwood Pass?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up for a drive over Highwood Pass! Perched way up at 2,217m (7,273ft) in Alberta's Kananaskis Country, this is supposedly Canada's highest paved road. Find it just 140 km southwest of Calgary, hanging out in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, south of Lower Kananaskis Lake. The road, is a 148 km (92 mile) stretch of pavement that'll take you from Kananaskis to Longview. Heads up: you might find some ice and snow, and the road gets pretty steep in spots (think 7% grades). Oh, and keep an eye out for bears! This route is usually closed from December to mid-June because of heavy snow and wildlife migrations. You'll be driving right near the tree line, so get ready for some incredible alpine scenery in the Canadian Rockies. Just a warning, the summit can be super windy, and the weather changes fast. The drive itself takes about 1.5-2 hours if you don't stop, but trust me, you'll want to! The views are seriously amazing and worth a full day of exploring.
hardWhere is Hayden Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Hayden Pass in Colorado is calling your name! We're talking a serious off-road experience perched way up at 10,741 feet. You'll find this gem straddling Fremont and Saguache counties, deep in southern Colorado. Look for the sign and plenty of room to park when you finally conquer it. Hayden Pass Road (aka County Road 6) is pure, unadulterated dirt, stretching for about 16.2 miles. It links Coaldale (right off US-50) to Villa Grove (connected to US 285). Back in the day, this was a toll road, giving wagons a shortcut through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Generally, you can hit this trail from March to November, conditions permitting. Nestled within San Isabel National Forest in the Rockies, you're guaranteed some seriously epic views. Plan about 2 hours to soak it all in! Now, a word of caution: this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect off-camber sections, a narrow shelf road, and plenty of sharp rocks. A high-clearance 4x4 with low range is pretty much essential. The climb is relentless, with some sections hitting a crazy 20% grade and plenty of rocks to navigate. The first stretch out of Coaldale is paved, quickly turning into a decent dirt road. But hold on, near the summit, things get REAL narrow and rocky. If there's ice, this section is NO joke, as there aren't any guardrails protecting you from the drop. Even if the road is dry, lower clearance stock vehicles might struggle with the bigger rocks strewn about. Expect a rough ride with steep, rocky bits, and maybe even some mud and sand thrown in for good measure!
hardWhere is Pennellen Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Let's talk about Pennellen Pass, perched way up high at 7,910 feet in eastern Garfield County, Utah. Think jaw-dropping views just east of Capitol Reef National Park. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We're talking *unpaved* – seriously steep, rocky, and narrow. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 and a vehicle in tip-top shape. This area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, feels seriously remote. Don't expect to see many other souls around! You'll find yourself between Tarantula Mesa and Pennellen Peak, two local legends. But here's the payoff: the views! Think endless panoramas of those iconic lower deserts. It's the kind of scenery that makes you feel truly wild and free. This region is seriously remote, so before you head out, double-check your ride and pack accordingly! Just be sure to avoid the high ridges and exposed areas if there's any chance of lightning!