Is the road to Mount Harrison in Idaho paved?
Usa, north-america
18.1 km
1,707 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to Idaho? You HAVE to check out Mount Harrison! This is one of the highest roads in the state, tucked away in the northern Albion Mountains in Cassia County.
The whole way up, you'll be cruising on smooth pavement along Forest Road 549 (aka Howell Canyon Road). Heads up though, this road is only open in the summer, usually after July 1st, because winter brings serious snow.
The climb starts from ID-77 at 5,600 feet and it’s about 11.3 miles to the top. Don’t let the distance fool you, this road gets STEEP, gaining over 3,600 feet, with some sections hitting a 10% grade!
Once you reach the top inside Sawtooth National Forest, you’re rewarded with incredible views. There’s a lookout tower (built in the '30s, updated in the '60s) that’s open on summer weekends, where you can see for nearly 100 miles into Utah, Nevada, and Idaho!
Mount Harrison has a somber history. A B-24 bomber crashed here in thick fog back in 1945, and all nine crew members perished. The wreckage is still there, and there’s a memorial plaque to honor them.
Beyond the history, the mountain features a gorgeous alpine lake and a glacial cirque, so keep your eyes peeled.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 18.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,707 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
easyCochetopa Pass is an unforgettable road in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, road trip enthusiasts, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Cochetopa Pass in sunny Colorado! This beauty sits way up high at 10,091 feet in Saguache County, right on the Continental Divide where the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests meet. Cochetopa means "Pass of the Buffalo" in the Ute language, and this route's been around since 1858! Talk about history! You'll be cruising along Saguache County Road NN14, aka Cochetopa Pass Road. Don't worry, it's a well-maintained gravel road, so your average car can handle it. Seriously, no crazy off-roading skills needed here. Just you, your car, and mile after mile of stunning national forest views. The road stretches for about 26.3 miles, all the way from State Highway 114 to State Highway 114. Expect gentle slopes and a decent width, making for a relaxing drive. Fun fact: there's a slightly higher pass nearby called North Pass (or North Cochetopa Pass) if you're feeling extra adventurous! Heads up, though: this road is usually snowed in from October to June. So plan your trip accordingly!
hardWhere is Granite Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! You HAVE to check out the road to Granite Peak in central Montana – seriously breathtaking! Nestled on the eastern edge of the Tobacco Root Mountains, this unpaved adventure is not for the faint of heart. How high are we talking? Well, it's one of the highest roads in Montana. The whole route is totally unpaved and features some seriously narrow sections – so, yeah, proceed with caution! Clocking in at just under 13 miles long, you'll gain some serious elevation – expect some steep gradients! And, this road is closed in winter – makes sense, right? Think incredible scenery – the kind that makes you want to pull over every five minutes to snap a photo. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road...and maybe bring a passenger to be your personal photographer! If you love roads with a bit of an edge and views that are totally worth it, Granite Peak is calling your name.
hardHelmet Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Helmet Peak in southwest Colorado's Montezuma County is calling your name, but this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about reaching a staggering 11,420 feet above sea level! The road to the top? Think gravel and rocks, not smooth asphalt. Winter? Forget about it, this trail is definitely off-limits. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this one might be best to skip. Seriously, a 4x4 is pretty much essential here. And heads up, it's STEEP, so if you have a fear of heights, you might want to admire this peak from afar. But for the views? Totally worth it!
easyHow long is US Highway 50?
🇺🇸 Usa
U.S. Route 50 is the name of a major road in the USA. It runs through mostly rural areas in the western part of the country and includes the section through Nevada known as The Loneliest Road in America. How long is US Highway 50? The road is totally paved. It’s 3,000 miles (4,800 km) long. The road was created in 1926. US Highway 50 wasn’t built overnight. The history of US Highway 50 starts almost two hundred years ago. There were no established trails other than pathways left by the Native Americans. Where does US Highway 50 start and end? The road runs east-west from Ocean City (in Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean) to West Sacramento (in California, on the Pacific Ocean) through mostly rural desert and mountains. It passes through a dozen different states (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland) as well as the District of Columbia) and four state capitals, as well as the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Running coast-to-coast through the heart of America on a 3,000-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea, US-50 From the Atlantic to the Pacific, is how one often describes the coast to coast trip across the United States. Why is Highway 50 called The Loneliest Road in America? The section across Nevada is known as “The Loneliest Road in America”, with few or no signs of civilization along many parts. In Nevada, US 50 crosses several mountain ranges using 17 passes and one tunnel. The road tops out at at an elevation of 7,729 feet (2.356m) above the sea level. There is a stunning absence of people across hundreds of miles of sandy, rocky terrain. The Nevada portion of the route, evokes the feeling of loneliness. You find miles and miles of little more than mountains, sand, hundreds of timeworn small towns, and blue sky. US-50 crosses more than 400 miles of Nevada’s countryside, climbing up mountain ranges while passing through four mining towns and the capital, Carson City. You can still find some old gas stations, motor courts and diners hidden between newer buildings and businesses – a glimpse to another time in America’s past. It runs through mostly rural areas in the western part of the United States. Piilani Highway is a road with bad reputation in Hawaii Mattole Road is a Lost Coastal Scenic Drive in California 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.