Forest Road 053
Usa, north-america
1.9 km
2,766 m
hard
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!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 1.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,766 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhy is it Called Virginia Cascades?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, and you stumble upon the totally gorgeous Virginia Cascade Drive. This hidden gem branches off the main drag and plunges you into a world of lush scenery and a serious dose of adrenaline. First off, those cascades! Virginia Falls, a 60-foot beauty on the Gibbon River, is the star of the show. Apparently, it's named after the wife of some bigwig from the Yellowstone Park Association back in the day. The road itself? A wild ride! It's paved, but super narrow, clocking in at just 2.5 miles. Think hairpin turns galore and, oh yeah, major drop-offs right on the passenger side. Seriously, there are spots where you're looking down hundreds of feet with no guardrails. It's a one-way adventure, so you can't turn back, but traffic is usually light, so you can take your time (though RVs, buses, and trailers are a no-go). This route is the old road from Norris to Canyon. Factor in about 10-15 minutes if you're not stopping, but you *definitely* want to pull over for photos of the falls. Parking will cost you $3.00, sunrise to sunset only. And FYI, this slice of heaven is closed in the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Trust me; it's worth it for the views and the bragging rights of conquering those crazy curves.
moderateFishhook Lake
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: Wyoming, Medicine Bow National Forest, and you're itching for an adventure. Fishhook Lake is calling your name, perched way up high at 10,659 feet! Forest Road 332 is your path, but be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. This gravel road is rocky, bumpy, and can get a bit tippy in spots. We're talking a high-clearance vehicle is definitely your friend here. The views? Absolutely stunning. But keep in mind, this route is usually snowed in from September to June. Experienced off-roaders will love it, but if unpaved mountain roads aren’t your thing, maybe sit this one out. It's a maintained road, but still, come prepared!
extremeWhen was the road to Darland Mountain built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in Yakima County, Washington, itching for an adventure. I've got just the thing – Darland Mountain! This beauty clocks in at a whopping 6,984 feet, making it one of Washington's highest roads. The first road here was built in the roaring twenties, and there was even a lookout tower until '66. To get to the summit, you've got two options: a 31.9-mile trek from Rimrock or a 39-mile haul from Union Gap. Either way, get ready for an off-road experience! This isn't your typical Sunday drive; the entire road is unpaved. It’s mostly smooth sailing, but the last few miles are seriously rocky, so a 4x4 is a must. You'll want to grab a Forest Service map before you go, too. Keep in mind, Darland Mountain plays hard to get. This road is usually snowed in from October to June. Word on the street is that it's the highest point you can reach by car in Yakima County, so you know the views are gonna be epic. And trust me, they are! You'll be treated to killer views and some of the best panoramas of the Cascade Range. It's a photographer's dream! On a clear day, you can spot Darland Mountain, plus Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Goat Rocks, and the Yakima Valley all in one glance! They say on a really clear day, you can see the whole Cascade chain from Oregon to the Canadian border. Seriously, don't miss this one!
hardHow long is the road to Haleakala?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Haleakala Highway, Maui's crazy climb! This road, also called Crater Road or Route 378, is paved the whole way. Starting near Kahului, it snakes 35 miles up to the summit of Haleakala at Red Hill, a staggering 10,023 feet above sea level. Built back in the 30s, this road is no joke. Expect some seriously steep sections (up to 15% grade!), with an average gradient of 5.39%. You'll be tackling 32 hairpin turns, some with blind corners and major drop-offs. Keep your eyes peeled for cows and nene geese wandering across the road, and be prepared for fog that can roll in and cut visibility. Fill up your gas tank and grab snacks in Pukalani or Makawao, because that's your last chance. Speaking of bikes, commercial tours have been suspended within the park, so you'll have to drive yourself up. Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to drive to the top without stopping. And trust me, you'll want to stop! The views are unreal, like you're driving on the moon. One thing to remember: it gets cold up there! For every 1,000 feet you climb, the temperature drops about 3 degrees F. The changing landscape is incredible. You'll pass through so many different ecological zones, it’s like driving from Mexico to Canada without leaving Maui!