Chalk Mountain: a rough forest road to the summit

Chalk Mountain: a rough forest road to the summit

Usa, north-america

Length

4.82 km

Elevation

3,667 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're in Colorado's Lake County and itching for a high-altitude thrill, Chalk Mountain is calling your name! We're talking serious elevation here, a whopping 12,030 feet above sea level.

The road up, Forest Road 134, is a real backcountry experience. It's a roughly 3-mile-long unpaved path that climbs steeply from CO-91, gaining 1,414 feet in elevation. So, yeah, it's pretty steep with an average gradient of almost 9%! Think rocky, narrow, and definitely needing a high-clearance vehicle to handle it.

But trust me, the effort is totally worth it. The views from the top are simply breathtaking. Seriously, get ready to soak in some epic Colorado scenery! Just take it slow, watch out for those rocks, and get ready for an unforgettable ride.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
4.82 km
Max Elevation
3,667 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Guardsman Pass?hard

Where is Guardsman Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're in Utah and looking for a scenic drive? Let me tell you about Guardsman Pass! This beauty sits high in the Wasatch Mountains, right on the border between Salt Lake and Wasatch counties, east of Salt Lake City. You'll cruise along Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway (aka Guardsman Pass Road or Utah 190 West) for about 24 miles, connecting Cottonwood Heights and Park City. Good news – you can totally do it in a regular car! And even better news, it's paved! Word of warning though: being up at 9,740 feet, it's usually closed during the winter months because of the snow. Aim for late May/June to October. But even in summer, watch the weather – a big storm can make things dicey. The drive is full of curves and some seriously steep parts, especially if you're heading up from Park City. That climb is about 7 miles, gaining over 2,600 feet, with an average gradient of 7.1%. It's a good one! Is it worth it? Absolutely! Plan for about an hour each way, *without* stops. There's parking and bathrooms at the top. But trust me, you'll want to stop! The views are incredible, especially in the fall when the aspens are bursting with orange and yellow and the oaks are radiating red. Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and enjoy the ride! Oh, and heads up, it's one of Utah's highest roads!

Bishop Mountainmoderate

Bishop Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Bishop Mountain Road (aka Forest Road 120) in Fremont County, Idaho is calling your name! Nestled within the Targhee National Forest, this gravel track climbs to a whopping 7,824 feet (2,385m). Word to the wise: you'll definitely want a 4x4 for this one. The road is usually in pretty good shape, but you know, gravel. And keep in mind that Mother Nature often closes this road down from October to June, depending on the snow. The payoff for the climb? Killer views from the summit, where you'll find a super cool lookout tower that's been standing tall since 1937. Trust me, the scenery is worth the trek!

Where is Mount Washington?moderate

Where is Mount Washington?

🇺🇸 Usa

Mount Washington is a high mountain peak at an elevation of (11,459ft) above sea level, located in . The road becomes much more of an adventure. are required. It's one of the highest roads in Nevada Where is Mount Washington? The peak is located in the Great Basin National Park Is the road to Mount Washington unpaved? The road to the summit was built in . It’s totally unpaved. It’s a brutally steep ). The trail is very steep, climbing up nearly to the top of the mountain, but the road is not the easiest to drive. Think of switchbacks that are so steep that you’ll have to do to go up some of them. Pic&video: Phil Hope Ultimate 4wd destination: Fairview Peak in Colorado What You Need to Know about Driving the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive in Utah 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.

How long is the Copper River Highway?hard

How long is the Copper River Highway?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cruising through the Valdez-Cordova area of Alaska? You HAVE to check out the Copper River Highway. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience! Clocking in at just under 50 miles (around 80 km), this road starts in the town of Cordova and hugs the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway bed, leading you towards the iconic Million Dollar Bridge over Miles Glacier. Now, here's the scoop: after the highway ends, a rugged, unpaved section stretches another 10 miles (16 km) towards the Allen River. But be warned! Beyond the bridge, it gets pretty dicey. Most vehicles tap out after another couple of miles due to a steep drop-off. Only serious off-road rigs need apply beyond that point! Heads up: Mother Nature keeps things interesting here. The road is currently closed past mile 36 because of erosion near Bridge 339. They're working on a fix, but for now, that's the end of the line. The first 12 miles (19 km) are smooth sailing on pavement, then it's gravel road fun the rest of the way. This route is PACKED with amazing trails and scenic overlooks. Just keep in mind that winter shuts down the road beyond Mile 12.4. Even in spring, snow can block access to some spots. But when it's open? Totally worth it for the views!