Dare to drive the Yankee Boy Basin Road in Colorado
Usa, north-america
7.56 km
3,818 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for a wild ride on Yankee Boy Basin Road, a super-scenic trail tucked away in Ouray County, Colorado! This route, snaking through the majestic San Juan Mountains, is one of the highest you'll find in the state.
Find it north of Silverton, nestled within the Uncompahgre National Forest in southwest Ouray County.
This unpaved adventure stretches for 4.7 miles (7.56 km) from Camp Bird Road up to Yankee Boy Basin, a breathtaking alpine wonderland sitting pretty at 12,526 feet (3,818 m) above sea level.
Heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive for your sedan! The lower part is easy-going, but it quickly ramps up with rocky, narrow, and steep sections. High-clearance vehicles are a must to reach the Basin, and if you're thinking of tackling the trail beyond to the Mt. Sneffels trailhead, 4-wheel drive is highly recommended. The road gets more "interesting" with each mile - think bumpy shelf roads and challenging sections that low-clearance vehicles should avoid altogether.
Open season is usually June through October, when the snow melts away. But be warned, thunderstorms roll in during the afternoons, and heavy rains can wash out the road, so plan your visit early. Keep an eye out for altitude sickness, and remember to bring your own water and lunch because there are no services along the way.
Factor in 1-2 hours to drive the road without stops. Expect some traffic, especially on summer weekends, as it's a popular spot thanks to its stunning beauty, fascinating history, and vibrant wildflowers. Photographers flock here for the wildflowers and waterfalls, while history buffs will love exploring the abandoned mines. Think mines, cabins, waterfalls, wildflowers, and the incredible Mount Sneffels!
Where is it?
Dare to drive the Yankee Boy Basin Road in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 45.1553, -95.3362
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.56 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,818 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.1553, -95.3362
Related Roads in north-america
hardPigeon Spring Road
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Pigeon Spring Road in Gila County, Arizona, is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 1.4-mile gravelly climb that'll get your heart pumping. You'll top out at around 5,740 feet, so be ready for some killer views. Word to the wise: this area can get snowy at the higher elevations after winter storms, while the lower sections can be scorchers in the summertime. Get ready for a ride!
easyWhere Is Gravity Hill?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to tell you about one of the weirdest, coolest roadside attractions in Pennsylvania! Just south of New Paris, in Bedford County, lies a legendary "Gravity Hill" – a place where cars seem to defy physics and roll uphill! To get there, head north on Route 96 from Schellsburg. After about 4 miles, keep your eyes peeled for Bethel Hollow Road (SR 4016) and hang a left right before you cross a small metal bridge. Keep cruising until you spot the magic – "GH" spray-painted right onto the pavement. That's your starting point! The road itself is smooth and easy to navigate, so any car can make the trip. Once you're at the marked spot, put your car in neutral, take your foot off the brake, and prepare to be amazed. Your car will start rolling... *uphill*! Seriously! Pour some water on the road, and it'll flow the wrong way. It's a trip! And guess what? There are *two* spots on this stretch of road where the illusion works. The first is the one with the "GH" marking. Keep driving a bit further, and near a telephone pole marked "69," you’ll find a second, slightly less intense, gravity-defying zone. So, what's the deal? No, it's not magic. It's all about perspective! The surrounding hills, the lack of a clear horizon, even the way the trees lean, all play tricks on your brain. The slight downhill slope *looks* like it's going uphill, and your eyes totally buy it. What makes this Gravity Hill so special? It's super easy to find, and the road is well-maintained. Plus, the illusion is crazy strong. Even knowing how it works, you’ll be scratching your head in disbelief! **Pro Tips:** * **Traffic Watch:** It's a real road, so watch out for other cars. * **Look for the "GH":** That's the sweet spot. * **Respect the Locals:** It's a quiet farming area, so be cool and don't trespass. * **Pics or it didn't happen:** The illusion is totally capture-able on camera!
moderateRollins Pass is a historic road in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Rollins Pass in Colorado is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a climb to 11,696 feet of pure Rocky Mountain glory, right on the Continental Divide, straddling Gilpin, Boulder, and Grand counties. Forget pavement. You'll be tackling 10.3 miles of unadulterated off-road terrain (County Road 80, a.k.a. Corona Pass Road). Think potholes, rocks of all sizes, and a road that definitely isn't winning any maintenance awards. A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute must, and even then, only when the weather's playing nice in the summer months. The road kicks off near Rollinsville and dead-ends at the infamous, but closed, Needle Eye Tunnel. Fair warning: Rollins Pass is usually snowed in from mid-November to mid-June. When it's open, prepare for some seriously steep sections, hitting gradients of up to 9%! You'll be gaining a whopping 2,565 feet of elevation, averaging around a 4.71% grade. Rollins Pass has a colorful past. It was originally part of a railroad route back in 1903 and later became a car route, only to be closed again after a rockfall in the Needle's Eye Tunnel. But hey, the views! We're talking jaw-dropping panoramas of pristine lakes, majestic mountains, and wildflowers galore. Plus, you get bragging rights for conquering a truly epic off-road adventure and a glimpse of the historical Needle Eye tunnel. Trust me, the bumpy ride is 100% worth the reward!
extremeWhere is Elwood Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an epic Colorado adventure? Check out Elwood Pass! Nestled in Rio Grande County, this beauty tops out at 11,676 feet above sea level. You'll find it hanging out in the Rio Grande National Forest in southwestern Colorado. The road to the summit, known as East Fork Road (FS 667), is 17.9 miles of pure, unadulterated dirt. Prepare for a steep climb, with sections hitting a 20% gradient! The elevation gain is a serious 4,376 feet, making for an average gradient of 4.63%. Keep in mind, this road is impassable in winter due to the high elevation and heavy snowfall in the San Juan Mountains. The road's narrow, but the views are killer. It can get slick when wet, and be warned: parts of the drive hug a high cliff, so it can be a bit treacherous. The climb is rocky, steep, and definitely a challenge. The first 8 miles are pretty tame, a graded gravel road suitable for most cars. It follows the river through a rocky canyon before opening into a wide valley. You'll find a dip near Silver Falls that might challenge the ground clearance of lower cars. The real fun begins after 10 miles at the Quartz Creek turnoff. Expect lots of climbing and loose rocks. This section demands a 4x4 with high clearance due to multiple water crossings. Lock those axles, drop it into first gear, and use low range. There are spots where the road is carved into near-vertical rock walls with serious drop-offs. Take it slow and steady! Be extra cautious when the road is wet, especially in spring when the river crossings can be deep and swift with snowmelt. Summer rain can also swell the river and make the road muddy and slick in places. Basically, Elwood Pass is a stunner, but it demands respect!