Granite Butte
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,318 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, listen up! Wanna conquer a mountain in Montana? Head to Granite Butte, a 7,604-foot peak in Lewis and Clark County. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though.
We're talking a gravel road that gets pretty gnarly as you climb through the Helena National Forest. Rocky, bumpy, and definitely tippy in spots, you'll want a high-clearance vehicle for the final push. And fair warning: this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly.
But trust me, the views from the top are worth the adventure! You'll be standing on the Continental Divide, gazing out at the Scapegoat Wilderness, Big Belt Mountains, and Scratchgravel Hills. Oh, and did I mention the lookout tower built in 1962? Talk about a photo op! This road's a steep climb, but the panoramic views from the top are an experience you won't forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,318 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateA chairlift access road to June Mountain in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Eastern Sierra Nevada, southeast of Yosemite, and you stumble upon June Mountain. We're talking serious elevation here – 10,144 feet! This isn't your typical paved road; it's a rugged, unpaved access road (think 4x4 territory only) that winds its way up to the chairlifts. Summer is definitely your best bet for tackling this adventure, and daylight is your friend. Trust me, you don't want to try this at night. The scenery? Absolutely epic. But a word to the wise: keep an eye on the weather. Things can change quickly up here.
hardA defiant road to Baldy Mountain in ID
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna bag a peak in southeastern Idaho? Then Baldy Mountain, clocking in at 8,320 feet, needs to be on your radar. Perched in the Portneuf Range within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, getting to the top is an adventure in itself. Road W, your path to glory, is a rugged, unpaved beast. We're talking slow going, folks. Forget about it from late October through at least late June – Mother Nature has other plans then. You absolutely need a 4WD with high clearance for this trek. From Thunder Mountain Road, it's a 3.91-mile climb to the top, gaining a hefty 1,847 feet in elevation. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! The views? Totally worth the bumpy ride. Just be prepared for a steep, rocky challenge!
hardUpper McCain Spring Road
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through eastern Oregon, inside Lake Owyhee State Park, and you decide to take the road less traveled – Upper McCain Spring Road. It's an 11.4-mile stretch of gravel goodness. Now, I say "goodness" loosely because when it's wet, this unpaved path can turn into a real mess, potentially becoming impassable. But if you catch it right, you're in for some seriously stunning scenery. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride!
hardWhere is Mineral Bottom Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southeastern Utah, just outside Canyonlands National Park, no permits needed, baby! You're on the Mineral Bottom Trail (aka Horse Thief Trail), a 14.6-mile dirt track that's your ticket from UT-313 to the White Rim Trail. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. BLM129 starts as a wide county road, but quickly plunges down into the Green River valley via some seriously epic switchbacks. Seriously, these switchbacks can be intimidating! We're talking steep sections, up to 21% grade, right on the edge. High-clearance 2WD can handle it when it's dry, but 4WD is recommended because the surface is uneven. But, pro tip: avoid this road like the plague if it's wet! Those switchbacks get slick, and trust me, you don't want to slide off the edge. If it rains while you're down by the river, just chill for a couple of hours and let the road dry out. You can tackle this trail year-round, but avoid midday in July and August—it gets HOT! Plus, those summer thunderstorms roll in. Pack all the water you'll need and get ready for some incredible views of the surrounding area and mountains. Just be prepared for a wild ride!