How to get by car to Pinyon Peak lookout in Idaho?
Usa, north-america
42 km
3,032 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, let’s talk Pinyon Peak in Idaho’s Custer County! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking about a seriously high mountain peak reaching a whopping 9,947 feet!
Nestled deep within the Salmon-Challis National Forest, smack-dab in the middle of Idaho, getting to the top is an adventure in itself. Forget pavement; you'll be tackling the unpaved Pinyon Peak Loop Road (NF-172). This is a long, intense, and at times, grueling drive. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it’s required! Remember, you're heading into the wild, so pack your common sense and survival skills.
The loop clocks in at around 26 miles, stretching from Seafoam Road (NF-008) to Loon Creek Road. The final mile to the summit is a beast, with eight hairpin turns that will test your driving skills. Those switchbacks are seriously steep, so you'll be grateful for low range on the way down.
But the reward? Unbelievable! Perched atop Pinyon Peak is the historic Pinyon Peak Fire Lookout Station, standing guard since 1930. And the views? Forget about it! You'll score unobstructed panoramas of the Eastern Salmon River Mountains, including iconic peaks like Mt. Baldy, Twin Peaks, the White Clouds, the Sawtooths, and even a glimpse of Borah Peak, Idaho's tallest, way off in the distance. Trust me, the bragging rights are worth it.
Where is it?
How to get by car to Pinyon Peak lookout in Idaho? is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 43.5236, -93.2785
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 42 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,032 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 43.5236, -93.2785
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