Driving the 4x4 Road to the Lookout at Greenstone Mountain in BC

Driving the 4x4 Road to the Lookout at Greenstone Mountain in BC

Canada, north-america

Length

21.5 km

Elevation

1,798 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Greenstone Mountain in British Columbia is calling your name! This peak tops out at 1,798m (5,898ft) and offers incredible views from the historic Greenstone Fire Lookout near Kamloops.

Heads up: the lookout's not abandoned! The Logan Lake ATV Club totally revamped it with a fresh roof, paint job, and *amazing* triple-pane windows. Seriously, the views are worth the drive alone. Plus, there's an outhouse and picnic table!

The road up, Greenstone Road, is all unpaved goodness, about 21.5 km (13.35 miles) from the Trans-Canada Highway. Expect a steady climb, gaining 1,202m in elevation. Most of the road is pretty manageable, but the last 300 meters? Buckle up! It's steep, rocky, and might test your off-roading skills. You can drive up to the communication towers, then it's a quick hike to the real summit and the fire lookout.

Keep in mind, you're in Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park, so this road is usually snowed in during winter and opens around the first week of June. Also, watch out for muddy patches if it's been raining!

Where is it?

Driving the 4x4 Road to the Lookout at Greenstone Mountain in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 57.6327, -107.0696

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Canada
Continent
north-america
Length
21.5 km
Max Elevation
1,798 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
57.6327, -107.0696

Related Roads in north-america

When was Tripoli Road built?moderate

When was Tripoli Road built?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, wind in your hair (okay, maybe through the open window!). You're on Tripoli Road, also known as Forest Road 30, and it’s a total hidden gem. This 11.2-mile (18.02 km) dirt road connects Woodstock to Waterville Valley. Built in 1934 and named after the old Tripoli mill, it’s a winding, unpaved adventure. Be prepared for some steep climbs – we're talking up to a 9.6% gradient in spots! The road peaks at 2,372 feet (723 m) above sea level at Thornton Gap. Fall is the BEST time to go, the foliage is insane. Heads up though, it gets crowded during weekends and holidays. You'll need a pass to enter the area. Oh, and one more thing: Tripoli Road is only open from mid-May to October, so plan your trip accordingly. It's not plowed in winter! Get ready for some unforgettable scenery!

Driving the paved mountain road to Poncha Pass in Coloradomoderate

Driving the paved mountain road to Poncha Pass in Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're heading to Colorado? You HAVE to drive Poncha Pass! This beauty sits at 9,025 feet, right on the border between Saguache and Chaffee counties in south-central Colorado. It's like the ultimate connector, linking the San Luis Valley to the south with the Arkansas River valley to the north, and it neatly divides the Rio Grande and Arkansas River watersheds. The whole route is paved – you'll be cruising on U.S. Highway 285. And the best part? The slopes are super gentle, barely hitting 5% on the south side. Get ready for a 21.6-mile (34.76 km) scenic stretch from Villa Grove to Poncha Springs. Perched where the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains meet, Poncha Pass is one of the lowest high-altitude passes in Colorado. Usually, you can drive it year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and closures can happen. Watch out for falling rocks and debris, and be aware that mudslides can sometimes shut the road down!

Coquihalla Summit in BC is a chillout in high mountainshard

Coquihalla Summit in BC is a chillout in high mountains

🇨🇦 Canada

Cruising through British Columbia? You HAVE to check out the Coquihalla Summit! This mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,249m (4,097ft), offering some serious views in the Canadian Cascades. Named after the Coquihalla River, this iconic stretch of road, known as British Columbia Highway 5 (or the Coquihalla Highway), stretches for 115km (71 miles) between Hope and Merritt. Built back in 1941, the road is fully paved, but be warned – the ascent can be seriously steep, especially heading north from Hope! While the highway is generally in good shape, keep an eye out for frost heaves and uneven pavement in spots. Good news: it’s a divided highway, so slower traffic isn't a huge deal. Even though it's a modern road, some truckers avoid it because of the extra fuel needed for those intense inclines. This pass is usually open year-round, but winter can throw some curveballs. Think sudden snowstorms, blowing snow, and fog – making driving tricky. Temps can plummet to -30°C! You’ll see avalanche chutes, a stark reminder of the wild terrain. Winter tires or chains are a MUST from October to April. Pro tip: pack extra fuel, winter gear, a candle, and even a sleeping bag, just in case. And, of course, make sure your ride is in tip-top shape! In the summer, keep an eye on your engine temp because of the constant uphill climb. Trust me, the scenery is worth it!

Pennock Pass is a great drive in Coloradoeasy

Pennock Pass is a great drive in Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, let's talk Pennock Pass! This high-altitude gem sits at 9,163 feet in Larimer County, Colorado, and it’s a real treat. The route, also known as Larimer County Road 44H or Buckhorn Road, stretches for about 28.5 miles between Pingree Park Road and Masonville. The road's generally in good shape, so most vehicles can make it, but be warned: after rain or snow, you'll definitely want 4WD or AWD. Beefy tires (32mm or wider) are also a smart move. The climb is steady, with long, sweeping switchbacks leading to the top. The lower section has some old pavement peeking through a layer of loose gravel and a few tight turns. As you climb, it transitions to mostly gravel and eventually dirt. Watch out for some steep sections that max out around a 9% gradient! Nestled in the Roosevelt National Forest, Pennock Pass offers epic views of the Mummy Range and Stormy Peaks. It's usually closed from December to mid-June due to snow, so plan your trip accordingly. You might even find a fallen tree or two blocking your path! Overall, it's a twisty, well-maintained dirt road that’s perfect for hitting the trails or just enjoying a scenic drive through the woods.