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
moderateTalimena Scenic Drive is an awe-inspiring road across the Ouachita Mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for the Talimena Scenic Drive, a seriously stunning route that cuts through the Ouachita Mountains, straddling southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. This National Scenic Byway is all about smooth sailing on perfectly paved roads. Clocking in at 87km (54 miles), it cruises from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas, using Oklahoma State Highway 1 (SH-1) and Arkansas Highway 88 (AR 88). The road was designed back in '69 for maximum views, and boy, does it deliver! Think roller coaster vibes as you wind through the Ouachita National Forest. This two-lane road is packed with sharp curves and some seriously steep climbs—we're talking up to 13% grades! It's pretty remote, so less experienced drivers, take note. Open year-round, but watch out for ice in the winter! The weather can turn quickly, so peek at the forecast before you head out. Thunderstorms can pop up fast, followed by mountain fog. And keep an eye out for the occasional snake when you're exploring. Expect natural beauty, historical sites, and all sorts of wonders. The gateway towns surrounding the road are super welcoming and full of events to keep you busy. The views? Forget about it! You'll see forested peaks, valleys, lakes, and streams like nowhere else in mid-America. Spring and autumn foliage seasons are extra special, and when the road sits above the clouds, it gets seriously magical. Allow at least 2 hours driving time if you don't stop, but you'll want to stop! With 22 scenic vista pull-outs along the way, this route will take much longer due to its beauty. Running along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the Ouachita National Forest, traffic is busiest during the fall colors. Spring and summer are quieter but totally worth it. On a rainy day, you might have the whole road to yourself! The mist makes the mountains look super mysterious.
moderateWhere is Togwotee Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, road trippers, listen up! You HAVE to experience Togwotee Pass in Wyoming. This epic stretch of U.S. Highway 287/26 clocks in at around 55 miles, and it’ll take you all the way up to 9,580 feet above sea level in the Absaroka Mountains. We're talking Teton County views for days! You'll find it nestled in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in northwestern Wyoming. The pass is named after Togwotee, a Sheepeater tribe subchief. The road is paved, so no need for a monster truck, but be warned – there are some seriously steep sections. And, while it's usually open year-round, keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. This area gets *dumped* on with snow—we’re talking potentially over 25 feet…sometimes even double that! Blizzards can shut things down, so plan accordingly. This route runs from Moran, south-central Teton County, to Dubois in Fremont County. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
hardLeatherman Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of conquering Idaho's highest peaks? Leatherman Peak, clocking in at a cool 8,996 feet, is calling your name! Nestled in the heart of Custer County, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking Forest Road 411, aka Sawmill Gulch Road, a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes wildly bumpy ride that'll test your mettle. Think 4x4 required – seriously! This baby climbs, and not gently. We're talking steep inclines that'll get your heart pumping. And did I mention the views? Absolutely breathtaking, if you dare to look while navigating the terrain. Word to the wise: winter turns this road into an impassable wonderland. And if you're not a fan of heights or unpaved roads, maybe stick to the scenic byways. But for experienced off-roaders, this is the ultimate Idaho adventure. Just be prepared for potentially muddy conditions if it's been raining.
hardWhere is Mosquito Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you wanna bag Mosquito Peak in central Colorado? This bad boy tops out at a whopping 13,664 feet! You're looking at some serious elevation. Forget pavement, the "road" to the summit is an old, super-eroded mining track. We're talking rugged. It's a short but brutal 1.83 miles from Mosquito Pass, but get this: you'll climb over 1,500 feet! That's a seriously steep average grade. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views from the top are incredible, especially of the surrounding peaks in the Mosquito Range. Heads up: this is definitely a summer adventure. Snow usually sticks around until late June (or even later!), and this area is known for being super windy, so bundle up! Can you even drive it? Here's the deal, there's an old mining road to the summit, but access for vehicles is blocked. They are very eroded and wouldn't be safe for driving anyways, and I don't believe they go up to the summit at all. There is some old equipment up there. And we did see evidence that someone had driven (or tried to drive) up there at one time. It was really far away, so I didn't get a picture, but a vehicle had rolled off one of the eroded roads a few hundred feet down the slope. I'm not sure if they gated the road after that happened or if that person came in from a different way, but it didn't look like a good time. You could easily hike either to the summit of Mosquito Peak or to the mine equipment from Mosquito Pass, however. It's not very far and shouldn't be terribly difficult, except for the altitude.