
How to Travel the Wild Road to Idaho Peak in British Columbia
Canada, north-america
11.7 km
2,121 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Idaho Peak in British Columbia, Canada! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. At 2,121 meters (that's nearly 7,000 feet!) you're practically touching the sky.
Nestled in the West Kootenay region, this hidden gem boasts a lookout tower with mind-blowing views of the Selkirk Mountains and Slocan Lake. Seriously, your Instagram will thank you.
Now, let's talk about the road. Idaho Peak Road is a wild child – unpaved, rough, narrow, and seriously steep. Think switchbacks galore! Keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic because passing spots are rare. And pro-tip: give your brakes a breather on the way down.
Good news: if you've got a high-clearance vehicle, you should be golden. Low riders? Maybe sit this one out. The climb starts in Sandon, winding 11.7 km (about 7.3 miles) with a hefty 1,074-meter climb and an average gradient of 9.17%. Translation? It's a workout for your car!
Heads up, this epic drive is only open from about mid-July to mid-August. Mother Nature calls the shots!
Where is it?
How to Travel the Wild Road to Idaho Peak in British Columbia is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 54.2060, -106.6959
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,121 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 54.2060, -106.6959
Related Roads in north-america
moderatePtarmigan Lake
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ptarmigan Lake in Colorado's Ouray County is calling your name! Nestled high in the Sawatch Range, this alpine gem sits at a whopping 13,113 feet above sea level, making it one of Colorado's highest drivable spots. Now, this isn't your average Sunday cruise. The road is a proper gravel track, with rocks and bumps galore – definitely a trail best left to experienced off-roaders. A 4x4 with high clearance is a must! Expect it to be impassable from October through June, depending on the snow. But those who dare to tackle it are rewarded with insane views, with Mt. Yale providing a stunning backdrop. Plus, you're driving on an old mining road, adding a touch of history to your adventure. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out. But if you're up for the challenge, Ptarmigan Lake is an unforgettable experience!
easyFrying Pan Road is an awe-inspiring route through White River NF
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for the Frying Pan Road in Colorado! This scenic beauty, also known as CR 104, stretches for about 42 miles between Basalt (a seriously charming town!) and the junction with Hagerman Pass and Ivanhoe Lake Roads. Located west of Denver, this route winds through Pitkin and Eagle counties, always sitting pretty at over 6,500 feet above sea level! Get ready to hug the curves as you follow the Fryingpan River right up to Ruedi Reservoir. Trust me, the views near the reservoir's shoreline are *chef's kiss*. And if you're feeling adventurous, keep going past the reservoir for a truly secluded, remote experience! Most of the road (around 32 miles) is paved as it snakes through the valley. But hold on—the last 11 miles are gravel! It's an old railroad grade, so it's usually in decent shape, but you *might* want to bring a 4x4 just in case, especially if conditions are rough. Expect twists, turns, and some sections that practically kiss the red rock canyon walls! While it's well-maintained and usually has two lanes, keep an eye out for blind curves, hills, and gravel in some of those corners. You'll find plenty of well-marked 25-35 mph corners on good asphalt, especially as the road climbs and hugs the lake's shoreline. The pavement is generally good until you go past the reservoir. Set high in the White River National Forest, the road peaks at a lofty 10,708 feet above sea level near the end. Heads up—it's closed during the winter months. Snow can create hazardous driving conditions any time of year.
extremeThe closed road to Devil’s Slide Trestles in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Colorado's Boulder County lies the legendary Devil's Slide Trestles – a seriously sketchy, narrow-gauge railway relic from the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad days. We're talking about a nail-biting crossing of the Continental Divide via Rollins Pass. Imagine two rickety trestles clinging to the edge of a cliff, with a dizzying 960-foot vertical drop beneath you! These trestles were built right on the edge of South Boulder Canyon way back in 1904. They look like they're barely hanging on over thin air. Perched high in the Rockies, you can still see much of the original route. Be warned though: some of the trestles have seen better days and have partially collapsed. There are NO guardrails, and the drop-offs are seriously steep. Oh, and did I mention you can see straight through the gaps between some of the boards? Originally built for trains linking Denver to Winter Park and Salt Lake City, the route was later used by cars. From 1955 to 1979, Rollins Pass was a scenic route until a rockfall blocked the way. It briefly reopened in 1988, only to be permanently closed again in 1990. It's a truly stunning location, with the kind of scenery that makes you feel like you're on top of the world. Just be prepared for some serious exposure!
moderateWhere is Cumbres Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Cumbres Pass in southern Colorado is a must-do for any road trip enthusiast. Nestled high in the Rio Grande National Forest, near the New Mexico border, this beauty tops out at a cool 10,029 feet. "Cumbres" means "crests" in Spanish, and trust me, the views are worth it! This paved ribbon of road – that's Colorado State Highway 17 – stretches for about 47 glorious miles, starting near Antonito, Colorado, and winding down toward Chama, New Mexico. It's been around since the late 1800s, with improvements made in the early 1920s, so you're driving on a piece of history! Now, heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart. You'll be tackling some serious inclines, with grades hitting nearly 13% in spots! The north approach averages around 5.8%, while the south side chills out a bit at 4%. While this pass is generally open year-round, Mother Nature can throw curveballs, especially in winter. Snow is common, and short-term closures can happen due to wicked weather. But don't let that deter you. The San Juan Mountains offer views you won't forget!