Driving the lovely Glendora Mountain Road in Southern California
Usa, north-america
34.76 km
1,383 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Glendora Mountain Road, or GMR as the locals call it, is calling your name. Tucked away in the Angeles National Forest, a stone's throw from the buzz of Los Angeles, this isn't just a drive; it's an experience.
Spanning just over 21 miles from Glendora to Mount Baldy, crossing both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, this fully paved beauty is a winding ribbon of smooth asphalt. Think perfect conditions, minimal potholes, and enough elevation to keep the snow away most of the year.
Prepare for some serious gradients, though! You'll hit some ramps with up to a 10% incline, enough to make it interesting. And those blind turns? They'll keep you honest, so stay sharp and avoid hugging the center line – you never know what's coming around the bend.
Trust me, you'll want to pull over and soak in the views. This is Southern California at its finest, with mountain panoramas that will knock your socks off. Allot an hour to savor the journey, and take advantage of the plentiful turnouts.
Word to the wise: weekends can get crazy with motorcycles and cyclists, so if you want a more relaxed experience, aim for a weekday morning. You might even encounter the occasional speed demon, so keep your wits about you.
The road crests at a cool 4,537 feet, guaranteeing breathtaking views year-round. What are you waiting for? Get out there and experience the GMR!
Where is it?
Driving the lovely Glendora Mountain Road in Southern California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.0289, -99.8024
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 34.76 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,383 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 40.0289, -99.8024
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Taylor Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Taylor Mountain in Colorado's Chaffee County is calling your name! This isn't just any mountain; we're talking a whopping 12,791 feet above sea level! Nestled in the San Isabel National Forest, this route, also known as Taylor Mountain Trail (Chaffee County Road 228), is a real beauty. Heads up, this is a proper off-road experience. We're talking unpaved, rocky, and steep! Think switchbacks that’ll test your skills and some tight shelf sections where you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic. You'll definitely need a 4x4 with good clearance for this one. The adventure kicks off near Monarch on US-50, winding its way up for about 5.44 miles. Don't let the short distance fool you, though — you'll be climbing over 3,200 feet, so get ready for a seriously steep average gradient of over 11%! Plan your trip carefully, because Mother Nature calls the shots here. Expect this route to be snowed in from late October until at least late June or early July. But trust me, those views from the top are worth the wait!
moderateWhere is the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico, right in the heart of Eddy County. You're winding your way through the rugged Guadalupe Mountains, heading towards the incredible Carlsbad Caverns – a mind-blowing network of limestone caves sculpted over, like, 250 million years. The whole drive, which they also call Reef Top Circle, takes about 45 minutes and is a chance to soak in all the desert has to offer – plants, critters, the whole shebang. There are marked stops along the way so you can delve deeper into what you're seeing with a guide. You can do this drive any time of year, but be warned, it can get HOT in the summer months. Fall is where it's at, though – just perfect driving weather. The dirt road itself is almost 10 miles long, a one-way loop that kicks off from Carlsbad Cavern Highway (Highway 7) near the visitor center and loops back around. Keep in mind this is a bit rough for cars that sit low to the ground, and it's a no-go for RVs, buses, or trailers.
extremeHow long is the Black Bear Pass road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Black Bear Pass, nestled high in Colorado's San Miguel County, is a wild ride you won't soon forget! This unpaved beast of a road climbs to a whopping 12,844 feet, making it one of Colorado's highest. Clocking in at 11.1 miles, Black Bear Road (Forest Service Road 648) carves its way from the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) to the charming old mining town of Telluride. The road can start on US 550 and will take you to Telluride. The views are absolutely insane, with two stunning waterfalls, vistas of the San Juans, and a bird's-eye view of Telluride itself. But don't let the scenery fool you - this road is not for the faint of heart! Picture this: narrow dirt track, ridiculously steep sections, and enough exposure to make your palms sweat. You'll need a high-clearance, short-wheelbase, 4-wheel-drive vehicle to even attempt this, and even then, it's best left to experienced drivers. Keep an eye out for those pesky rock slides! The road starts as two-way, but quickly becomes a nail-biting one-way descent. Speaking of descents, brace yourself for the infamous switchbacks above Bridal Veil Falls, the highest waterfall in Colorado. Open only from late summer to early fall (snow permitting), Black Bear Pass demands respect. And because this drive is so intense, it's extra important to be sober and alert behind the wheel. Check the forecast, buckle up, and get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure!
extremeWhere is Webster Pass in Colorado?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Let's talk Webster Pass, a truly epic high-altitude route nestled in the heart of Colorado. You'll find it straddling Summit and Park counties, deep within the White River National Forest. This beauty, clocking in at just over 9 miles, takes you right over the Continental Divide at a staggering 12,103 feet. To get there, head toward Keystone from I-70, then hop onto Montezuma Road. Cruise through the town of Montezuma, and you'll find Webster Pass Road on your left. Word to the wise: this isn't a Sunday drive for your sedan. We're talking serious 4x4 territory here. The road's unpaved and super narrow, with a river crossing and some seriously steep switchbacks. Trailers? Leave 'em at home. You'll need high clearance to tackle this one. Open season is generally late May to late November, but snow can linger, so late August or early September is your best bet for a snow-free run. Be warned: If it's snowy, don't even think about it. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip - it's about 45 minutes each way. At the summit, you'll meet up with the Red Cone and Handcart Gulch trails. Unless you're a pro, stick to Webster Pass for the descent – Red Cone is notoriously gnarly! But oh, the views! Think wide-open alpine terrain and stunning scenery along the Snake River. This is a ride you won't soon forget, perfect for soaking in the Colorado wilderness and connecting to other 4WD trails.