Hughes Basin

Hughes Basin

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,154 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you're itching for a real off-road experience in Wyoming's Absarokas range, Hughes Basin is calling your name. We're talking a climb to 10,347 feet in Park County!

Forest Road 1013I isn't for the faint of heart. Picture this: a super narrow, steep, and rocky old mine road snaking its way up, up, up. High clearance and 4WD are absolute musts. Seriously, if you're afraid of heights, maybe grab a latte instead.

Keep an eye on the weather! Thunderstorms can turn this unpaved road into a 4x4-only nightmare or make it totally impassable in a heartbeat. Expect a steep climb, usually only accessible from late June to early October, weather depending. Get ready for some epic views, though – the scenery is totally worth the white-knuckle drive!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,154 m
Difficulty
hard

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