Can you drive to Sugarloaf Peak in NV?
Usa, north-america
9.33 km
2,767 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Want to escape into the wild beauty of Nevada? Then you NEED to check out Sugarloaf Peak! This bad boy sits right on the border of Esmeralda and Mineral counties, topping out at a cool 9,078 feet.
Getting there is half the fun (and half the challenge!). The road is an old mining route, totally unpaved, and seriously rugged. We're talking 4x4 territory, folks. Leave your sedan at home!
You'll find the start of the 5.8-mile dirt track off of U.S. Route 6, aka the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, in the southwestern part of Nevada. As you climb into Inyo National Forest, keep your eyes peeled for old mining ruins scattered along the route. Back in the day, this area was all about silver, gold, and mercury. Now it's all about the views!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.33 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,767 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Mount Hough?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Mount Hough in Plumas County, California! This mountain's a real gem, tucked away south of Greenville in the Plumas National Forest. First off, the road: Mount Hough Crystal Lake Road. It's all dirt, baby! It can get a little bumpy so while you *might* make it in a regular car during a dry summer, I'd seriously suggest something with high clearance. We're talking a climb of elevation over about, so the road is roughly long! That gives us an average gradient of . Heads up: This road's a no-go in winter. Snowfall makes it impassable, usually from late fall 'til late spring. Near the top, you'll find the super pretty Crystal Lake. And, the views from the parking area near the fire lookout? Simply stunning! Speaking of the lookout, there's been one up there since . They keep upgrading it over the years with the current tower in place. They still actively staff it for fire surveillance, but these days it also houses some microwave communication equipment. So, pack your camera, fill up your gas tank, and get ready for some epic scenery!
moderateThe historic Old Plank Road in California was built in 1915
🇺🇸 Usa
Ever heard of a road made of wood? Deep in California's Imperial County, near the border with Mexico, lies the remains of the Old Plank Road, a seriously cool piece of early 20th-century ingenuity. Back in 1915, this eight-mile stretch was built right across the shifting sands of the Algodones Dunes, a landscape that looks like it belongs in the Sahara! Imagine driving on wooden planks, laid end-to-end like a primitive roadway. It was a single lane, so turnouts were added every mile so cars could pass each other. They called it a success, though it was hard work to keep the sand off the road. Mules were brought in to dust the planks off or even move sections of the road! This quirky road made it possible to travel between San Diego and Yuma, Arizona. About 3,000 vehicles a week traveled across the "railroad track for cars" Sadly, the plank road's reign didn't last. The harsh desert and shifting sands took their toll, and by the late 1920s, it was replaced with asphalt. Today, only fragments remain, a historic landmark and reminder of a time when a wooden road was the only way to cross these majestic dunes. The region of towering dunes resembles the Sahara desert and has been featured in films ranging from Rudolph Valentino's “The Sheik” to 1983's “Return of the Jedi”.
moderateGoing-to-the-Sun Road
🇺🇸 United States
# Going-to-the-Sun Road: Montana's Most Spectacular Mountain Drive Want to experience one of America's most jaw-dropping road trips? The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an 80-kilometer stretch of pure Rocky Mountain magic that cuts straight through Glacier National Park, with the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2,026 m) marking its dramatic high point. Built over eleven grueling years and finally finished in 1932, this highway is basically a masterclass in impossible engineering—seriously, it was such a feat that it earned National Historic Landmark status in 1985. Fair warning: it's the *only* road crossing the park, so if you want to experience these glacially carved landscapes, this is it. The journey itself is absolutely wild. Starting from the gorgeous shores of Lake McDonald on the west side, you'll wind through thick cedar-hemlock forests, past cascading waterfalls, and along some genuinely nerve-wracking narrow ledges that hug sheer cliff faces. The Garden Wall section? That's where things get *really* intense—the road was literally carved directly into a near-vertical cliff, offering those heart-pounding valley views that'll make your stomach flip. Once you reach Logan Pass, you're treated to sprawling alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in July, plus mountain goats casually hanging out near the visitor center. The descent on the eastern side opens up into gorgeous glacial lakes and wild, wind-shaped terrain. Before you go, know the rules: any vehicles over 6.4 meters long or 2.4 meters wide (mirrors included) are banned from certain sections. The road only opens mid-June to mid-October depending on snowmelt, and yes, you'll need a reservation these days because literally everyone wants to drive this thing. Can't blame them.
difficultMillion Dollar Highway
🇺🇸 United States
# The Million Dollar Highway: Colorado's Most Legendary Mountain Drive Ready for one of the most epic road trips in the American West? The Million Dollar Highway is a stunning 40-kilometer stretch of U.S. Route 550 that connects the charming mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray in southwestern Colorado. This route is part of the larger San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and honestly, it's the crown jewel. The drive takes you over three seriously impressive mountain passes – Coal Bank Pass (3,145 m), Molas Pass (3,300 m), and Red Mountain Pass (3,358 m) – all while cutting through the breathtaking San Juan Mountains. The name? Well, nobody's entirely sure. Some say it comes from the gold-flecked gravel used in the original construction. Others swear it's because the views alone are worth a million bucks. Then there's the cynical take: "I wouldn't drive that road again for a million dollars." (Spoiler alert: it's actually way more fun than that last explanation suggests.) Built back in the 1880s during Colorado's silver mining heyday, this route has been continuously improved over the decades. The real heart-pounding section? Between Ouray and Red Mountain Pass, where the asphalt literally hugs the mountainside with hundreds-of-meter cliff drops – and yeah, guardrails are basically non-existent in spots. But here's the thing: the views are absolutely insane. You're surrounded by mountains striped in vivid reds, oranges, and yellows from mineral deposits, with weathered old mining buildings and thick alpine forests completing the picture. Come autumn, the aspen trees explode into golden brilliance, making this one of North America's best fall color road trips. Don't let the dramatic reputation scare you off – the road is well-paved and properly maintained. Winter is another story though; ice and snow on those steep grades and hairpin turns demand respect (chains or winter tires are often required). Ouray, the charming town at the northern end, calls itself the "Switzerland of America" and sits in a spectacular natural mountain amphitheater. Silverton, perched at 2,836 meters at the southern end, is a genuine ghost-town-turned-tourist-destination with authentic Victorian architecture everywhere. The highway stays open year-round, making this an unforgettable drive in any season.