Chrysolite Mountain

Chrysolite Mountain

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,669 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Chrysolite Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.669m (12,037ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. It’s

one of the highest roads of Colorado.

This infamous gravel road to the summit is rough with several hairpin turns. A very steep maintained (jeep) trail goes almost directly over the top of the peak. It’s called FR 297. Make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. This is a great trail that offers a little bit of everything -- rocky challenges, fantastic scenery, Colorado history, and access to some great hiking and fishing.  Located in the Sawatch Mountains of central Colorado, the road is very rough. 4wd with a high ground clearance vehicle is necessary. Stay away if you're scared of heights. It is subject to winter snowfalls with such a high summit altitude, and it can be impassable anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. After rain, even a single rainfall, conditions of the road can be challenging. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks. Proper preparation is essential to having a safe, enjoyable trip on this road. Always be prepared for winter weather, even in summer.

Signal Peak: Ultimate 4wd destination in NM

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
3,669 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Cajon Pass?moderate

Where is Cajon Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cajon Pass, sitting pretty at 3,891 feet in sunny Southern California's San Bernardino County, is a must-see. Just east of Cajon Junction, you'll find this beauty carved out by the legendary San Andreas Fault – a route used for centuries! "Cajón" means "box" in Spanish, and this pass definitely boxes in some stunning views between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains. State Route 138 (SR 138), a smooth, paved road stretching 19.7 miles from Cajon Junction to Crestline, is your path to the top. Open year-round, keep an eye on the weather – it can get snowy enough to close things down temporarily. But heads up – Cajon Pass can be a bit wild! Expect strong winds, fog, and turbulence, which can be tricky for big rigs. The weather can flip from foggy and low-vis to clear and bright in a heartbeat. Plus, drivers can get a little… distracted. Vegas-bound folks are dreaming of jackpots, while those heading home are probably still thinking about their losses! Add in the speed difference between cars and trucks, plus some seriously steep 15% grades on the ramps, and you’ve got a recipe for excitement.

Sawyers Bar Road: 12 miles of snake track using 1st gear in Californiahard

Sawyers Bar Road: 12 miles of snake track using 1st gear in California

🇺🇸 Usa

California's Klamath National Forest is home to Sawyers Bar Road, and trust me, this is one ride you won't forget. Picture this: a 3,713-foot descent crammed into just 12 miles of twisting road. Seriously, you'll be hugging those turns in 1st gear, and your brakes? Well, they'll be getting a serious workout! This epic 39.8-mile stretch winds from Forks of Salmon, right where the north and south forks of the Salmon River meet, all the way to Etna, nestled in the scenic Scott Valley. You'll even cruise through Sawyers Bar, a charming, historic mining town founded way back in 1850. Give yourself around 1.5 hours for this adventure. The real fun begins after Etna Summit (elevation 5,960 feet), heading towards Sawyers Bar (2,247 feet). You'll start with a pretty straight climb, but once you conquer the summit, get ready for a winding, narrower, and oh-so-pretty descent. Parts of the road are seriously steep, with grades hitting 18%! Expect slow and steady progress, think 10-15 mph, on this rugged, mostly single-lane road. This is a remote area, so fill up your tank and pack some snacks, because services are scarce. Summer afternoons can be scorching, so be prepared! And definitely honk your horn around those blind curves. This route isn't ideal for large RVs, trailers, or inexperienced mountain drivers. The scenery is incredible, though! Expect dramatic shifts in landscape. You'll climb to a peak of 5,994 feet above sea level at Etna Summit, hugging the North Fork of the Salmon River as it twists and narrows. Be prepared for a serious drop-off to the left in places – we're talking 500 feet straight down! The road often hugs the hillside, with the mountain on one side and that steep drop to the river below on the other. Keep an eye out for markers indicating areas where the road is eroding. Occasional rock slides are also possible.

White Bark Vistamoderate

White Bark Vista

🇺🇸 Usa

White Bark Vista is a natural overlook at an elevation of 2.943m (9,655ft) above the sea level, located up the mountain above Fresno, in Fresno County, California, in USA. It’s one of the highest roads of California. The road to the summit, located within the Sierra National Forest, is mostly graded with one small rocky spot near the top. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). Suitable only for high clearance vehicles. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. The summit features spectacular views of the Sierra Crest, Florence and Edison Lakes. The road ends at 2.993m (9,819ft) slightly SE of the overlook. 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.

Slide Peakhard

Slide Peak

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, folks, picture this: Slide Peak, sitting pretty at 7,841 feet in Southern California's San Bernardino County. You'll find it smack-dab in the San Bernardino Mountains. The road up? It's about 5.3 miles of mostly paved road (Keller Peak Road), but don't get too comfy, because the last mile or so is gravel. Heads up: typically, you can only cruise this road from around Memorial Day until mid-November, weather permitting. Keep your eyes peeled because you're in prime critter country here, think bears, mountain lions, and deer galore! It's a bit of a climb, too. Starting from CA-18, you'll gain about 1,850 feet over those 5.3 miles, making for an average gradient of around 6.6%. The views though? Totally worth the climb!