
Hanson Peak
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,890 m
hard
Year-round
Hanson Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.890m (12,762ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s
one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
The narrow road to the summit, located in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. It’s called Picayune Gulch Road (County Road 9). The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). It’s an old mining road. Along the way the trail passes historic mining structures. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 vehicle required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Conditions can change rapidly, be careful of the weather. Access through snow can change daily. The summit offers excellent views in all directions.
Pic&more info: Adam M.
http://www.4x4explore.com/rds/p_rds/picayune_glch.html
A drive to the top of Manastash Ridge
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,890 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
easyLoop Road of Everglades in Florida: watch out for alligators
🇺🇸 Usa
Everglades National Park's Loop Road: Get ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in the heart of Florida! This hidden gem, also known as County Road 94 or Big Cypress Loop Road, begins and ends along US Hwy 41. Just 40 miles from Miami, it's an easily accessible escape. Clocking in at 24 miles, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The eastern 7 miles are paved, leading to the Loop Road Environmental Education Center (perfect for a picnic!). After that, it's all gravel and dirt – raw and real. During the summer wet season (May-October), be warned: parts of the road can be underwater! High-clearance vehicles are recommended, but in dry weather, most cars can manage with a little patience and slow speeds. Watch out for potholes! The rugged appearance hints at abandoned development dreams, adding a layer of intrigue to the journey. Located within the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, this is a slow-paced exploration. Plan for at least 1.5 hours, but trust me, you'll want to take longer. Traffic is minimal, so prepare to cruise at 20mph or less. The Loop Road snakes through Collier, Monroe, and Miami-Dade counties, showcasing a diverse range of habitats. South of the Tamiami Trail, it provides access to the national preserve's more remote areas. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially alligators – they're everywhere! This road puts you right in the heart of the action, averaging just 18 inches above the surrounding waterscape. Stop at the culverts and bridges, listen, and look closely – you never know what you'll spot. Legend has it that Al Capone had a hunting lodge here, but don't expect any gangster sightings today!
extremeWhat Makes the Road From Denver to Vail so Dangerous?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're thinking of driving from Denver to Vail? Buckle up, because this isn't your average Sunday cruise! This stretch of road is gorgeous, but definitely has some white-knuckle moments. Millions brave this route every year to hit the slopes or do business in the Rockies. In fact, over 6.5 million people did it back in 2019! But what makes it so…memorable? First off, the elevation change is insane. You'll be climbing and dropping like a rollercoaster right out of Denver, with tight, winding turns that'll have you gripping the wheel. Some people even get altitude sickness! Then, just when you think you've conquered the mountains, BAM! A massive 7% grade awaits you just past Vail Pass. Make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape! And let's not forget the snow. Colorado is a winter wonderland, which also means this road can get seriously treacherous. Sections are often shut down due to avalanches and blizzard conditions. The cops aren't kidding around when they turn folks back – it's for your own good! Oh, and did I mention the trucks? This is a major trucking route, so you'll be sharing the road with tons of massive rigs hauling cargo. They're usually in a hurry, so stay alert and give them plenty of space. Plus, there's always construction happening to repair damage from the weather and truck traffic, which adds another layer of complexity to the drive. So, why would anyone put themselves through this? Well, for starters, it's the gateway to some of the most amazing ski resorts in the world: Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, you name it! It's the main route for tourists heading to the Rocky Mountains from Denver Airport, and it’s essential for commerce. But let's be honest, the real reason is the scenery. This road is unbelievably beautiful. Towering mountains line the route, and in winter, it's a snow-covered paradise (albeit a slightly terrifying one!). Along the way, you'll pass through charming old Western towns like Idaho Springs, Frisco, Georgetown, and Silverthorne, filled with Wild West history. Don't miss Silver Plume, a "living ghost town" that feels like stepping back in time. Then there's the Eisenhower Tunnel, a modern marvel and the highest-elevation tunnel in the US. Even driving through the tunnel can be tricky in icy conditions. And of course, Vail Pass itself is a challenge, reaching over 10,600 feet. Whiteout conditions are common in winter, making it downright undrivable. So, should you do it? If you have a reliable vehicle, pay close attention to the weather, and don't mind a little adventure, absolutely! The views from Vail Pass, the experience of driving through the Eisenhower Tunnel, and the overall thrill of navigating this winding mountain road are unforgettable. Just be prepared for a wild ride!
moderateWhere is Yuba Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, road trip enthusiasts, let's talk about Yuba Pass! This stunner sits way up high in California's Sierra County at 6,725 feet. You'll find it chilling in the Tahoe National Forest, not far from the Nevada border. Hop onto the fully paved CA-49, aka the Golden Chain Highway, for a 12.5-mile ride from Bassetts to Sattley. Be warned, this road gets steep in sections, clocking in at a 5% gradient. Speaking of seasons, Yuba Pass is generally open year-round, but Mother Nature has the final say. Winter can bring closures between mile markers 16.4 and 23.7 when the snow piles up. Is it worth it? Absolutely! This route is a photographer's dream, winding through the North Fork of the Yuba River canyon. The views showcase the raw, untamed beauty of the Northern Sierra Nevada – rugged landscapes for days! Plus, there's plenty of parking at the summit to stretch your legs and soak it all in.
hardWhat are the 15 Best USA Motorcycle Roads? The Definitive List
🇺🇸 Usa
# America's Best Riding Roads: The Ultimate Motorcycle Bucket List Over 230,000 members of the American Motorcyclist Association voted on what they consider the most thrilling roads to ride in the U.S. Out of more than 100 nominations, these 15 routes made the cut—and they've earned their spots through a combination of technical challenges, jaw-dropping scenery, and pure riding satisfaction. ## The Hidden Gems **Washington Route 129 & Oregon Route 3** The ride from Clarkston, WA to Enterprise, OR is all about that legendary "Rattlesnake Grade"—a series of tight, technical switchbacks that plunge dramatically into the canyon below. It's the kind of road that gets your adrenaline pumping. **Ohio Route 83** Don't sleep on the Midwest. This stretch from Calcutta to Poland, Ohio flows beautifully through rolling hills with a surprisingly satisfying rhythm that'll have you grinning the whole way. ## Mountain Passes & Desert Runs **California Route 58** This one takes you from McKittrick to Santa Margarita, cutting right through the California Coast Ranges and dipping into the Mojave Desert. Seriously diverse terrain. **Virginia Route 60** Between Harrisonburg, VA and Seneca Rocks, WV, you'll find high-speed sweepers mixed with demanding climbs through some seriously gorgeous mountain country. **California Route 36** Stretching from Humboldt County down to Lassen County, this road feels like a rollercoaster with hundreds of curves weaving through ancient redwoods and rolling foothills. **Lolo Pass (U.S. 12)** Sitting at 5,233 feet right on the Idaho-Montana border, this northern Rocky Mountain classic delivers everything you want from an alpine pass. ## The Legends **Natchez Trace Parkway** A whopping 444 miles connecting Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. What makes it special? Zero commercial traffic and uninterrupted scenic beauty for the entire journey. **Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2)** Sixty-six miles of high-elevation twists through the San Gabriel Mountains, climbing to 7,000 feet with curves that just keep coming. **Going-to-the-Sun Road** Located in Glacier National Park, Montana, this is an engineering masterpiece. Narrow passages hug sheer cliff faces—it's both beautiful and intense. **Cherohala Skyway** Forty-three miles of sweeping curves connecting North Carolina and Tennessee, climbing to mile-high elevations with stunning vistas throughout. **Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1)** The iconic coastal dream ride. Between San Simeon and Carmel on California's central coast, you get cliffside curves and ocean views that hit different. **Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550)** From Silverton to Ouray, Colorado, this beast features no guardrails, serious vertical drops, and three mountain passes all topping 10,000 feet. It's as wild as it sounds. **Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129)** Eleven miles, 318 curves—this is the technical challenge that separates riders from passengers. Pure grip-and-rip riding. **Blue Ridge Parkway** A leisurely 469 miles through North Carolina and Virginia along the mountain crest. Perfect for when you want scenery over speed. **Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212)** The undisputed king. This alpine pass tops out at 10,947 feet with incredible switchbacks and views that'll stop you in your tracks. Ride it at least once in your lifetime.