Forest Road 053

Forest Road 053

Usa, north-america

Length

1.9 km

Elevation

2,766 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in central Idaho's Custer County and itching for an off-road adventure, Forest Road 053 is calling your name. Seriously, this is one of Idaho's highest mountain roads, so expect killer views!

Clocking in at just over a mile, this climb is short but intense. You'll be pushing your rig up to a dizzying 9,074 feet. The road surface? Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. Not for the faint of heart! This baby's impassable in winter, and even during good weather, it's strictly 4x4 territory. It's steep, so be prepared to shift into low gear. And if heights make you queasy, maybe skip this one. But if you're an experienced off-roader looking for a challenge with insane scenery, this is your jam. Just a heads-up: rain turns this road into a muddy beast!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
1.9 km
Max Elevation
2,766 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Road trip guide: Conquering Crown Point Road in COmoderate

Road trip guide: Conquering Crown Point Road in CO

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, so you're looking for an epic Colorado adventure? Let me tell you about Crown Point Road up in Larimer County! Tucked away in the Comanche Peak Wilderness within the Roosevelt National Forest, this mountain drive is seriously stunning. Now, fair warning, this isn't a paved paradise. Expect mostly dirt and some gravel stretches along the way. The good news is, it's generally wide. Keep your eyes peeled, because nearby, you can even find remnants of a WWII B-17 crash from way back in '43! You'll climb all the way up to 10,639 feet, so be ready for those breathtaking views. The whole 18.2-mile stretch from Pingree Park Road (County Road 63E) takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to drive without stops, and it ends at a parking lot that kicks off the Zimmerman Trail. Heads up though, this road is usually snowed in from late October until late June or early July, so plan your trip accordingly!

Yogo Peakextreme

Yogo Peak

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Yogo Peak in Montana! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a gnarly 4WD gravel track that climbs to a whopping 8,812 feet in Judith Basin County. Now, let's be real – this road's a wild card. Keep a close eye on the weather because Mother Nature throws tantrums up here. We're talking potential avalanches, surprise snow dumps, and landslides. And yeah, ice patches love to hang out and cause trouble. Expect some rocks and mud along the way to keep things interesting! But hey, if you're into epic scenery and a true off-road challenge, Yogo Peak might just steal your heart.

Why is it called Dunraven Pass?easy

Why is it called Dunraven Pass?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Dunraven Pass, sitting pretty at 8,917 feet in Wyoming's Park County, is the highest point you can drive to inside Yellowstone National Park. Named after some Irish Earl who swung by back in 1874, this pass is a real treat. The road, built way back in 1915 and paved in the '40s, stretches for about 16.2 miles from Canyon Village up to Devils Den. Don't rush it! This paved road winds and climbs through the Washburn Range, serving up incredible panoramic views. Word to the wise: this area is prime grizzly bear territory, so keep your eyes peeled! This pass is the highest in the park, so expect closures during the winter months. Dunraven is usually the first to close when snow starts falling in the fall, and the first to close when snowstorms roll through. Typically, it shuts down in early October and doesn't reopen until late May or early June. Even in summer, snow's not out of the question at this altitude!

Coyote Flat is a steep rocky road for high clearance 4X4's in Californiamoderate

Coyote Flat is a steep rocky road for high clearance 4X4's in California

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Coyote Flat! This hidden gem, perched high in California's Inyo County, clocks in at a whopping 10,042 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude! Nestled within the Inyo National Forest, Coyote Flat isn't just any road; it's one of California's highest! Originally carved out as a mining road back in the '40s, this 16-mile unpaved beauty (aka Coyote Valley Road) kicks off near Bishop and throws you straight into the wild. Heads up: winter shuts this place down hard. Think late October to late June/early July impassable. So plan accordingly, and pack everything you need – there are zero services up here. But the views, oh the views! Think grazing deer, maybe even a glimpse of the majestic Palisade Glacier to the south. Keep your eyes peeled for coyotes, bears, and even elusive mountain lions! Now, let's talk terrain. Expect a steep and rocky ride, with some sandy sections thrown in for good measure. Most of the trail is manageable, but those rocky parts definitely require a high-clearance 4x4. As you climb out of Bishop, the road snakes through canyons and pine-covered ridges. Pro tip: if you're hitting this spot in mid-summer, mosquito repellent is your best friend.