Fairview Peak
Usa, north-america
N/A
1,812 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're looking for a killer view in Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, Fairview Peak is calling your name. We're talking a summit of 5,944 feet, people! The payoff? A fire lookout tower with panoramic views stretching from Mount Hood all the way down to Crater Lake and Mt. McLaughlin.
Now, the road to get there? It's a gravel adventure, to say the least. You'll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle for the last few rocky, narrow miles. Think slow and steady in low gear. And keep an eye on the calendar – this road's usually snowed in from November to May. Even in June and October, the weather can be dicey with snow and ice. But trust me, on a clear day, those views of the Cascade Range are worth the bumpy ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 1,812 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateA steep paved toll-road to the top of Equinox Mountain in Vermont
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trippers, buckle up for Mount Equinox Skyline Drive in Vermont! This paved toll road, clocking in at 5.2 miles, is your ticket to the summit of the highest peak in the Taconic Range. You'll find the entrance just off Route 7A, south of Manchester, and it's the longest privately-owned paved toll road in the USA! Heads up: this beauty is usually closed from November to April. Plus, no buses, RVs, or mega-vans allowed, and leave your bikes and boats at home for this one. When it's open (Memorial Day to October 31st, weather permitting), you can cruise it from 9 AM to 5 PM. Pro tip: pack a jacket – it's usually breezy up there! Located smack-dab in the Green Mountain National Forest, the views are insane all the way up. There are pull-offs to soak it all in as you climb. At the top, you're greeted with panoramic views of Vermont, the Adirondacks, New Hampshire, and even a glimpse of five states and Canada on a clear day. You'll also find some interesting relics like communication towers and an old Cold War radar station. Cyclists, beware! This climb is legendary for its steepness. With an average gradient of 11.38% and some sections hitting almost 15%, it's a leg burner. Driving down? Take it slow, give your brakes some breathers, and downshift to let your engine help control your speed.
extremeWhy is it called Dante's View?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, road trip lovers, buckle up for Dante's View in California's Death Valley National Park! This isn't just a drive; it's a freakin' experience. You'll be cruising up Dantes View Road, a fully paved path to an insane overlook sitting pretty at 5,485 feet. The journey starts near Badwater, the lowest spot in North America, and for the first 15 miles or so, it's a mellow ride. But don't get too comfy! The last 5.5 miles are where things get real, with gradients hitting a brutal 13% and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Vehicles over 25 feet long? Not recommended! There's limited access and those tight corners aren't trailer-friendly. But trust me, the 360-degree views at the top are worth the effort. Seriously, they're out of this world! You'll be gazing down at Badwater and across to Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous US. It's a photographer's dream come true. Just remember, this is Death Valley, so the climate is no joke. Expect a temperature drop of around 25 degrees between the valley floor and the summit, so pack a jacket! Plus, the wind can get intense up there. Did I mention a Star Wars movie was filmed here? Time your visit for the morning to catch the best light. Get ready for an unforgettable ride.
hardIs there a road up Mt. Whitney?
🇺🇸 Usa
Whitney Portal Road is a short but spectacular drive that takes you about halfway up Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, in Inyo County, in the US state of California. Is there a road up Mt. Whitney? Tucked away in the eastern central part of California, the road is 19.31km (12 miles) long, starting at Lone Pine. It’s totally paved. The road connects Lone Pine to Whitney Portal (the Whitney Portal Store is at the Portal, and the store is open in the summer). Is the road to Whitney Portal open? Set high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Whitney Portal Road usually opens sometime in early May, with the first major winter storm shutting it down sometime in November, meaning it is not maintained or cleared of snow. However, it is not physically barred, and climbers routinely drive as far as conditions will allow. The road is not gated or otherwise physically blocked; call the Inyo National Forest for information. Weather and road conditions can change in an instant. Can you see Mount Whitney from the road? The road ends at 2,557m (8,389ft) above sea level at Whitney Portal, where there is a close view of Mount Whitney. When was Whitney Portal Road in California built? The road to the summit was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. How long does it take to drive Whitney Portal Road in California? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 25 and 35 minutes. The drive features sweeping views. It twists and turns through an otherworldly landscape known as the Alabama Hills, a set of bizarrely constructed rock piles, before setting on a fairly straight shot for the foothills of Mount Whitney. Alabama Hills are the scene of literally hundreds of cowboy films, but the road has a film history, too. The steep, sharp switchbacks along the Whitney Portal Road were prominent in scenes in the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz film "The Long, Long Trailer," in which Lucy surreptitiously fills a travel trailer with her rock collection until it’s too heavy to ascend the grade. The road is also featured in the 1941 classic, "High Sierra," starring Humphrey Bogart. The vistas change dramatically as you draw closer to the mountains, seeming more and more massive until suddenly they overwhelm you, and you're a part of them, looking back down on the road, the hills, and the Owens Valley. In other words, there's plenty of time to think about what you're getting yourself into. Is Whitney Portal Road in California challenging? This route is paved but narrow, steep, and winding with dramatic switchbacks. There is a risk of rock slides on the way up. It’s very steep, with some 14% gradients. It is a great and difficult climb out of the high desert up towards Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48. The road has some narrow parts and blind corners. Like most eastern Sierra ascents, this one starts out tame and ends up tough. The grade generally increases as you climb so that a five-mile stretch in the 2nd half averages 9%. The hill lets up just before the finish at Whitney Portal and a parking/hiking area (trailhead to Mt. Whitney). Whitney Portal is also very similar to the famed French climb of The narrow road to Schofield Pass in Colorado is for experienced drivers only The creepy story of Sensabaugh Tunnel in Tennessee 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.
extremeArta Lake
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Arta Lake in Utah's Wasatch County. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a high-mountain lake sitting pretty at 10,298 feet! Getting there? Buckle up. Forest Road 143 is a beast. Think rough, rocky, and seriously steep. This baby's off-limits in the winter, so plan accordingly. Not a fan of unpaved mountain roads? Maybe skip this one. But if you're game, a 4x4 is your best friend. Oh, and if heights make you queasy, be warned: it's a pretty intense climb. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment.