
Driving the Custer Motorway to Mill Creek Summit
Usa, north-america
70.16 km
2,685 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Mill Creek Summit in central Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 43.6-mile (70.16km) trek back in time on the historic Custer Motorway (aka Mill Creek Road or Yankee Fork Road). This old toll road, County Road 070, connects Challis (off US Hwy 93) to Sunbeam (on ID State Hwy 75).
Clocking in at 8,809 feet (2,685m), this pass is a beast! Expect a mostly dirt and gravel road with some seriously narrow spots and grades hitting a maximum of 12%. Open from July to October, this route offers stunning views, but be warned: low-clearance vehicles and trailers might want to sit this one out. The road can get washboarded, making for a bumpy ride. Get ready for an unforgettable off-the-beaten-path experience!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 70.16 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,685 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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