
Hawley Mountain
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,223 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Hawley Mountain in Idaho's Boise County! This peak hits a cool 7,293 feet, and getting there? Well, that's half the fun.
You'll be cruising along Forest Road 340, aka Hawley Mountain Road, for about 10 miles. Picture this: gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. This isn't your Sunday drive! Seriously, road conditions are always changing, and winter likes to hang out here, so mid-summer is your best bet. Trust me, scope out the road ahead before committing β things can get dicey quick. That last fifth of a mile to the lookout is where it gets real β super steep and rocky, so a 4x4 is a MUST.
Speaking of the lookout, it was built back in '35 and offers some killer views. But heads up: the drive up is narrow, so watch for oncoming traffic and keep an eye out for those turnouts. Get ready for a healthy dose of vertigo, too! But hey, those views are worth the white knuckles, right?
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,223 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardHow long is Bella Coola Road?
π¨π¦ Canada
Okay, buckle up for the Bella Coola Road (Highway 20) in British Columbia β a 454-kilometer adventure from Williams Lake to Bella Coola! Forget your average Sunday drive, this route throws you into the heart of BC's wilderness, from the arid canyons near the Fraser River to seriously stunning glaciated peaks. Think of it as two road trips in one: for the first 319 km, you're cruising on pavement to Anahim Lake. Then, BAM! Gravel time! The rest is an all-season gravel road, not for the faint of heart. We're talking hairpin turns, steep grades, and the kind of scenery that will leave you speechless (or maybe muttering a little prayer). But the real kicker is "The Hill" β 11 km of switchbacks climbing to 1,524 m (5,000 ft). Hold tight for the descent; a 43-kilometer stretch of narrow road with those hairpin turns, including a nail-biting 9 km at an 18% grade β supposedly the steepest in BC! First gear is your friend here, and remember, uphill traffic has the right of way. Some sections are single-lane. Believe it or not, they completed this thing in 1953 with just two bulldozers and a whole lot of determination. It's officially Highway 20, but locals still call it the "Freedom Road," a tribute to the valley's long history of isolation. Speaking of remote, facilities are scarce along the way, so fill up that gas tank before you go. While you could technically do it in a day, especially in summer, factor in time to stop and actually soak in the incredible surroundings. Oh, and did I mention Bella Coola was a filming location for The Incredible Hulk? Talk about a scenic hideaway!
moderateWhere is Old Maverick Road?
πΊπΈ Usa
Old Maverick Road: your shortcut to desert magic in Big Bend National Park, Texas! This isn't your average highway β it's a 12.6-mile dirt track slicing through the park's western side, connecting Maverick Junction and the legendary Santa Elena Canyon. Think of it as Big Bend's "easiest" off-road adventure, but don't let that fool you. After a rain, those washes can get gnarly! Low-clearance vehicles and RVs should definitely sit this one out. If you're in something sturdy, take it slow and watch out for rough patches and sneaky blind corners. The reward? Unforgettable views of the Terlingua Creek badlands and those epic Santa Elena Canyon cliffs soaring 1,500 feet high. Budget about an hour for the drive, but honestly, you'll want to linger. There's history lurking around every bend, scenic overlooks begging for photos, and the grand finale: Santa Elena Canyon itself. Trust me, that observation point and the hiking trail into the canyon are worth every second. Just keep an eye on the weather β this road can flood fast!
extremeHow long is the Trans-Taiga road?
π¨π¦ Canada
Get ready for the ultimate off-the-grid adventure on the Trans-Taiga Road in northern Quebec! This 666km (413-mile) gravel artery kicks off from the James Bay Road and plunges you deep into the wilderness, all the way to the vast Caniapiscau Reservoir. How far is the nearest town from the Trans-Taiga Road? Imagine this: no towns, no services, just you and the untamed taiga. It's about 745 kilometers (463 mi) to the nearest town, Radisson. This is the most remote place you can drive to in North America, it's as real as it gets! What is the best time of year to drive the Trans-Taiga Road? The road's open year-round, but Mother Nature throws some serious curveballs. Winter? Think -40Β°C! Summer can be surprisingly hot. Is the Trans-Taiga Road paved? The entire road is unpaved. The first 395 km lets you cruise at 80 km/h, but after that, it's 70 km/h due to a narrower road. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. Do I need 4WD to drive the Trans-Taiga Road? While most vehicles can handle the first section, the 84km stretch to Caniapiscau Reservoir gets pretty gnarly, so 4WD is your best bet. Good tires are a must, too, thanks to the chunky gravel. What are the hazards of the Trans-Taiga Road? This isn't a family joyride. Breakdowns out here are a major headache. Flat tires? Potentially catastrophic, with no tire shops for hundreds of miles. Why was the Trans-Taiga Road built? It was built as an access road to the hydroelectric generating stations of Hydro-QuΓ©bec along the La Grande River and Caniapiscau River. What will I see on the Trans-Taiga Road? The drive, without stops, usually takes between 12 and 15 hours. The scenery is mostly flat, with endless spruce and jack pine forests, bogs, rocks, and gentle hills. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and other wildlife!
extremeHow To Travel The Morrison Jeep Trail In Wyoming
πΊπΈ Usa
Get ready for the Morrison Jeep Trail, a seriously gnarly ride in Wyoming's Park County! Tucked away in the Shoshone National Forest, northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forest Road 120 stretches for 22 miles from the Clarks Fork River valley up to the Beartooth Plateau. Picture this: a super narrow, single-lane track with zero room to pull over. You're out there, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by moose, bears (black and grizzly!), mountain goats, and bobcats. No cell service, so you're on your own. The road? Intense. Think massive rocks, deep ruts, and a wild climb to 10,193 feet above sea level. Only high-clearance, 4WD vehicles need apply! Brace yourself for 27 hairpin switchbacks as you ascend from the Clarks Fork River. We're talking serious drop-offs β hundreds of feet! β on one side. Those turns? Narrow, steep, and often steeper than they look, with some grades hitting 25 degrees. Expect to spend around 7 hours conquering this beast. Keep an eye on your map, as single-track trails branch off in every direction. This road is typically snowed in from late October through late June/early July. Definitely avoid it when itβs wet or muddy! You'll face some technical, rocky climbs, plus those long, straight grinders as you hit the 10,000-foot mark. Oxygen levels are low, so be prepared.