County Road 861
Usa, north-america
7.72 km
2.76 m
hard
Year-round
County Road 861 is a very scenic high mountain road located in the San Juan Mountains, Gunnison County, in the U.S. State of Colorado. The road runs entirely over 2.760m above the sea level.
It’s unpaved with some very narrow sections, totally impassable for 2 cars at the same time. The trail is 7.72km (4.8 miles) long. 4x4 vehicle required. The road is not plowed in winters. Its highest elevation is at 3.092m (10,144ft) above the sea level. The road offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The area is notorious for severe thunderstorms and lightning on summer afternoons. Conditions can quickly change and become dangerous.
Risk Management: Staying Safe on High-Fatality and Technical Roads
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.72 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.76 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Whale Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Colorado road trippers, listen up! Wanna tackle a real beast of a mining road? Head north of Montezuma Road, where things get seriously rugged as you climb to some seriously high elevation. Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in Colorado, bordering Summit and Jefferson counties, so you know the views are gonna be epic. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We're talking muddy, rocky, "hope-your-suspension-is-ready" terrain. Only high-clearance OHVs or SUVs need apply. Think you can handle it? It's about [road length] long, climbing around 405 meters, with a pretty consistent gradient. So, yeah, you'll feel it. Heads up: this adventure is seasonal! Typically open from early June to early October, that springtime thaw makes the north side a swampy, impassable mess. Is it worth it? Absolutely, if you're prepared. Imagine camping beneath Whale Peak during the summer months. It's an unforgettable experience. Just make sure your rig is in tip-top shape and you know what you're getting into. Happy trails!
extremeA winding narrow road through Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for an adventure! We're heading to Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina, smack-dab in the rugged heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. This isn't your average Sunday drive – the early settlers carved this road by hand way back in the 1800s, calling it the Cataloochee Turnpike, and it's still the main way in! Starting from Jonathan Creek Road, it's a 13.1-mile (21.08km) journey along State Road 1395 (Cove Creek Road), snaking onto the Old Cataloochee Turnpike and finally, the Cataloochee Entrance Road. Now, let's be real, this road is a bit of a beast. It's a steep, narrow, and seriously curvy mountain drive. There are some pretty significant drop-offs with zero guardrails, so take it slow and easy! You might even have to pull over to let other cars pass on those tight sections. Keep an eye out for horse trailers, too! Those single-lane blind curves? Approach with extreme caution. But here's the thing: the views are absolutely worth it. This isolated valley is stunning! The road is mostly paved, but there's a 3-mile unpaved section leading up and over Cove Creek Gap, just to keep things interesting. One last tip: check the weather before you go. Things can get dicey up here, especially with snow. The road often closes when there's even a dusting on the surrounding peaks. So, plan accordingly and get ready for a memorable, if slightly hair-raising, ride!
extremeWhere is Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica?
🌍 Costa Rica
Cerro de la Muerte is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,341m (10,961ft) above sea level, located in the province of San José, Costa Rica. It’s the highest point on the Central American section of the Where is Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica? The pass is situated on the route from Cartago to San Isidro de El General, in the southern part of the province of San José. A minor gravel road south of the pass leads up to the actual peak, at 3,470m (11,384ft) above sea level, where a cluster of telecommunications aerials can be found. Why is it called Cerro de la Muerte? The pass earns its name, which means "Mountain of Death", due to the many travelers who succumbed to the cold and rain in the past. Is the road to Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica paved? The road to the summit, also known as Cerro Buenavista, is entirely paved but is filled with steep curves and potholes. It is designated as Ruta 2 and forms part of the Pan-American Highway. This section of the highway is plagued by excessive potholes, steep, narrow curves, and frequent fog, traversing various climates and temperatures. The drive is fraught with blind corners, perilous cliffs, and reckless drivers who take significant risks to overtake slower vehicles. It’s a hazardous journey, marked by roadside crosses commemorating those who have perished. Is Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica worth it? The scenery at the summit of Cerro de la Muerte is breathtaking. Visitors are treated to exquisite panoramic views of the Cordillera de Talamanca. On a clear day, one can gaze across the lush jungle to see the Pacific Ocean in the background. Is the road to Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica open? Situated high in the Talamanca range, the road is typically open year-round. However, flash floods, landslides, narrow curves, and steep cliffs render the pass extremely perilous . During rains, the route becomes treacherous and slippery. The peak can be exceedingly windy, necessitating warm clothing due to the high altitude. The narrow Quepos Bridge in Costa Rica 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.
moderateCan you drive to the top of Mount Equinox?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southern Vermont, smack-dab in Bennington County, ready to tackle Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. This ain't your average Sunday drive, folks. This paved toll road, a little over 5 miles long, kicks off right from Route 7A in Sunderland and is owned by the Carthusian Order. Heads up – it's closed from November to April, and no buses, RVs, or vans carrying more than 8 people allowed. Bikes, canoes, and kayaks? Leave 'em at home. But from Memorial Day Weekend to the end of October, you can hit it up between 9 AM and 5 PM, weather permitting. Pro tip: pack a jacket – it's usually breezy up there! Now, let's talk about the climb. You're gaining over 3,100 feet in elevation, with some sections hitting a seriously steep 14%. It's known as one of the toughest bike climbs around! But don't worry, there are plenty of paved pull-offs where you can park up and soak in the views as you wind your way up the mountain, which sits inside the Green Mountain National Forest. Once you hit the summit, you're treated to a full 360-degree panorama. We're talking Vermont, the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, and on a clear day, you can see five states and even Canada. There are communication towers, an old Cold War-era radar station, and an unmanned info center to check out. And when you're heading back down, take it slow, give your brakes a break, and use that low gear to let the engine help you out. Trust me, you'll want to take your time and enjoy the ride!