
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
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