Is a 4x4 Essential for Rat Trap Pass?
Usa, north-america
22.04 km
970 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a real beast of a pass? Head to Snohomish County, Washington, and find Rat Trap Pass. We're talking a whopping 3,182 feet above sea level, people!
Now, this isn't your Sunday cruise. Located inside Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this is National Forest Road #27. It's a gnarly, unpaved track where a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential! Seriously, leave the sedan at home. Washouts are common, and "impassable" is a regular state of affairs.
The road stretches for a solid 13.7 miles from the Mountain Loop Highway to National Forest Road #2703. But trust me, the views are worth it! Prepare to be blown away by the incredible scenery, especially the majestic White Chuck Mountain. Just remember to pack your nerves of steel!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 22.04 km
- Max Elevation
- 970 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Dunderberg Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle one of California's highest roads? Head to Mono County and aim for Dunderberg Peak. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a 3.1-mile rocky climb on an unpaved, narrow, and windy trail that tops out at a whopping 10,980 feet! You'll need a 4x4 SUV with good clearance for this one. Forget about it in winter – this road is snowed in most of the season. But is it worth it? Absolutely! The views of Green, East, and West Lakes are insane, and there's even a small lake near the summit. Plus, you'll be cruising past old mining relics, a cool glimpse into California's past. Get ready for a steep climb - we're talking an average gradient of almost 10% on the way up! This road is a real workout for both you and your rig, but the payoff is epic.
extremeBald Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.814m (9,232ft) above the sea level, located in southern Douglas County, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The summit is located within the Pine Nut Mountains. It’s very rough, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is usually impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. The trail is narrow with few places for passing so meeting someone can be a challenge. During the summer, the road is very rough and has loose rock in some places. In the winter, the road is not plowed. From the summit, there are tremendous views of the Sierra Nevada to the west, as well as Topaz Lake to the south. Keep an eye on the weather for thunderstorms and lightning. The road goes all the way to the summit. The trail is very steep. There can be some small mud holes on the trail that are usually just deep enough to reach the wheel rim. The road is 4WD, although 2WD can make it, preferably use a vehicle with some higher clearance. There are a lot of rocks on the road, and some ditches and tricky areas. 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.
easyTamarack Ridge
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Tamarack Ridge, sitting pretty at 7,585 feet in California's Fresno County. You'll find it nestled in the Sierra National Forest. The road to the top? Paved, so no need for a monster truck, but get ready for some serious curves! Highway 168 (aka Tollhouse Road) will be your trusty guide, winding its way between the charming towns of Lakeshore and Shaver Lake. This route is a total stunner, scenery-wise. Just a heads-up, though – it gets a bit crowded on weekends and during holidays. And Mother Nature? She can be a bit of a diva here, so expect short closures in winter if the weather gets wild.
extremeWhere is Goose Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Goose Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.570m (11,712ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. This drive is worth it, but be forewarned of the difficulty. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico The lake is located in the northern part of New Mexico, within the Carson National Forest, to the south of Gold Hill peak. Can you drive to Goose Lake in NM? The road to the lake is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Road 486 (Goose Lake Road). Is the road to Goose Lake in NM challenging? The road is extremely steep and rough in places. It’s not a road for you if you are nervous about other people driving in tricky situations - steep/rough roads. The road is pretty challenging, with a water crossing (it can be deep) and a short narrow section of shelf road that might be difficult for an inexperienced driver or someone who doesn't do well with heights. There is an old goldmine and general store along the way up. Be sure to keep an eye out for remnants of mining activity and abandoned cabins along the trail. Can I drive my vehicle to Goose Lake in NM? Full-size pickups will have trouble due to narrow passages. Be cautious: the road is very narrow. 4x4 vehicle required, not recommended for a stock SUV. Camper trailers are not allowed due to narrow one-way road sections and steep drop-offs. Set high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico, this grueling high mountain road is usually impassable in winters. How long is the road to Goose Lake in NM? Starting at Red River, a resort town, the road is 11.58 km (7.2 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 913 meters. The average gradient is 7.88%. When is the best time to drive to Goose Lake in NM? The road ends in the Goose Lake parking lot, an ample parking lot close to the lake. Traffic can be heavy during the summer months, and on a summer weekend, the parking lot, which holds several cars, is full very early. The best time to visit the lake is in the summer and fall. Pic: Ozark Overland Adventures Baxter Pass: Ultimate 4wd Destination in Colorado Driving the enthralling Notom-Bullfrog Road in Capitol Reef NP 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.