How to get by car to Pinyon Peak lookout in Idaho?

How to get by car to Pinyon Peak lookout in Idaho?

Usa, north-america

Length

42 km

Elevation

3,032 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

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

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
42 km
Max Elevation
3,032 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
43.5236, -93.2785

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Bully Choop Mountain?hard

Where is Bully Choop Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

is a high mountain peak at an elevation of above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California Where is Bully Choop Mountain? , on the boundary between Trinity and Shasta counties , in the northern part of California. Why is it called Bully Choop Mountain? Set high on the western edge of the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area , the peak is named after the Indian phrase What’s at the summit of Bully Choop Mountain? At the summit, there’s a California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Control in 1978 , still in active service, and a at the base of the lookout. How long is the road to Bully Choop Mountain? The rough road is totally Bully Choop Mountain Road Is the road to Bully Choop Mountain scary? The road is not recommended, as it can be for most drivers. It’s . On narrow parts, if you encounter another vehicle, you’ll need to find a for one of you to pull over. Pic&video: tiz20032 Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: Where Trains and Cars Share a Narrow, 2.5-Mile Tunnel Travel guide to the top of Crystal Mountain in Washington 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.

Where is Mengel Pass?hard

Where is Mengel Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for Mengel Pass, a wild ride through Death Valley National Park in California! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. You'll find this rough-and-tumble track in Inyo County, linking Panamint Valley to the west with the stunning Butte Valley on the east. This 5-mile dirt track, also known as Coyote Canyon Road, gets its name from Carl Mengel, an old-time prospector. In fact, his stacked rock memorial marks the summit. Keep an eye out for it! So, what makes it so special? Well, Mengel Pass is a notorious Jeep trail, famed for being the spot where Charles Manson was captured. You'll need a proper 4WD vehicle. Think gnarly terrain – steep, rutted, and rocky. It's a long and slow route so bring extra fuel, plenty of water, and definitely don't go it alone. The ever-changing road conditions make it a true challenge. Even experienced drivers will find it demanding, and some SUVs might struggle. But trust me, the solitude and spectacular scenery are worth the effort. Just be prepared for anything – mechanical issues, medical emergencies, you name it. Oh, and those scattered body panels you'll see? Consider them a cautionary tale! Keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic in tight spots, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Johnson's Millhard

Johnson's Mill

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a high-altitude thrill ride in Nevada, Snake Creek Road is calling your name. Located in White Pine County, near the Great Basin National Park, this route to the historic Johnson's Mill mining ruins tops out at a whopping 10,085 feet! But fair warning: this isn't your average Sunday drive. Snake Creek Road is a rough and tumble adventure, with a surface that can be seriously bumpy, steep, and narrow. Passing other vehicles can be tricky, so keep your eyes peeled! High clearance is an absolute must, and if it's wet, expect some serious mud. Winter? Forget about it – this road is usually snowed in. Experienced off-roaders will be in heaven, though. The views are stunning, but you'll be too busy navigating the terrain to take it all in... maybe.

Where is Annie’s Road?hard

Where is Annie’s Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Annie's Road in Passaic County, New Jersey! It's tucked away in Totowa, just west of Paterson, and right by the Passaic River. This totally paved, 20-mile (32 km) stretch isn't just any road—it's legendary for its paranormal activity! Forget cell service, because you won't get any here. And get this: people have been reporting ghost sightings and crazy happenings for ages, like mysterious fog, screams in the night, and even camera glitches. The creepiness factor is amplified by the fact that the road borders Laurel Grove Cemetery. Spooky, right? The story goes that a bride, Annie, met a tragic end on this road and now her spirit is forever tied to it. Some say she appears as a hitchhiker, so real that people mistake her for a living person until she vanishes! There's even a story of yearly red paint stains showing up, marking her death. Whether it's Annie or the vibes from the nearby cemetery, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled. Oh, and local legend says to watch out for dwarf enclaves in the nearby small houses!