Is the road to Picket Pin Mountain in Montana unpaved?

Is the road to Picket Pin Mountain in Montana unpaved?

Usa, north-america

Length

28.64 km

Elevation

2,757 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk Picket Pin Mountain in Montana! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a full-on unpaved climb on U.S. Forest Service Road 140 (aka Picket Pin-Iron Mountain Road). You'll NEED a 4x4, trust me. This area is riddled with ATV trails and relics from old mining days, so keep your eyes peeled.

Nestled way up in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Picket Pin is a high-altitude experience, topping out at 9,046 feet! That means stunning views, but also a short window to enjoy them. The road's usually snowed in from October through June, weather depending, of course.

The fun starts at County Road 420 (Stillwater Road) near Nye, and from there it's about 17.8 miles to the top. Don't let the distance fool you โ€“ you'll be climbing 4,524 feet along the way, with some seriously steep sections. That's an average gradient of 4.81%, so get ready for some low-gear action!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
28.64 km
Max Elevation
2,757 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

How many miles is Mt Hamilton?hard

How many miles is Mt Hamilton?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Cruising through Santa Clara County? You HAVE to hit Mt. Hamilton Road! They say itโ€™s got 365 curves โ€“ one for every day of the year! Seriously, prepare for some serious switchbacks (motion sickness pills might be a good idea!). This beauty is actually part of California State Route 130, and clocks in at around 19 miles of pure, paved driving bliss. You'll be climbing to a whopping 4,206 feet above sea level, where you'll find the Lick Observatory โ€“ the first mountaintop observatory. Cyclists love this route, so keep an eye out and share the road. Fun fact: this road was built way back in 1875โ€“76 to haul equipment up to the observatory with horse-drawn wagons. So the grades are pretty gentle, but the road is narrow in spots and those curves are no joke. Being high up in the Diablo Range, Mt. Hamilton can get snow in the winter. It gets cooler as you climb, so pack a jacket. This mountain can be unpredictable, occasionally a cold, wet storm from the Gulf of Alaska or Canada, Mt. Hamilton gets significant snowfall. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. The views of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley are breathtaking. On a clear day, you can even spot the Sierra Nevada way off in the distance. Heads up: there are no gas stations or restaurants on the road or at the summit, so fuel up and pack some snacks before you go. Mount Hamilton is 20 miles east of San Jose, and this journey has spectacular, even spine-tingling views.

Is the Magruder Road Corridor suitable for standard vehicles?extreme

Is the Magruder Road Corridor suitable for standard vehicles?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, picture this: you, your high-clearance 4x4, and 101 miles of pure, unadulterated wilderness stretching between Elk City, Idaho, and Darby, Montana. That's the Magruder Road Corridor, also known as Forest Service Road 468, and it's not messing around. Forget your GPS and definitely forget your cell phone. This is a digital dead zone, smack-dab between the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas. We're talking a narrow, winding, single-lane dirt track carved through the Bitterroot Mountains โ€“ a place where Mother Nature still reigns supreme. This road laughs at standard cars. Seriously, you need 4WD and clearance because it's rocky, steep, and prone to washouts. Passing other vehicles? Get ready for some skillful maneuvering and reversing. Think narrow shelf roads, steep drop-offs, and no guardrails. The biggest danger? Isolation. No gas, no food, no water along the way. Pack everything you need, and then pack some more. The weather can flip on a dime, too. Summer storms turn the road into a mud slick, and early snow can trap you. Seriously, you need to be mechanically self-sufficient. Plan on taking two full days to crawl along at a leisurely 12-15 mph. And keep an eye on your fuel gauge; low gear and constant elevation changes will drain your tank faster than you think. Need to break up the trip? There are a few primitive campsites along the way, like Granite Springs Campground on the western side, a spot along the Selway River, or Deep Creek Campground near the Montana exit. For a birds-eye view, you can also try dispersed camping up near Burnt Knob Lookout Area. This route follows the path of the old Southern Nez Perce Trail, used for centuries by the Nimiipuu people. So, you're not just driving; you're tracing history. Bottom line: the Magruder Road Corridor is an epic adventure for those who are prepared. Respect the wilderness, double-check your gear, and tell someone when you expect to be out. This is the real deal, and your safety is up to you!

Is Bald Hills Road unpaved?moderate

Is Bald Hills Road unpaved?

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, adventure awaits! Let's talk Bald Hills Road, a hidden gem snaking through Humboldt County, California, right in the heart of Redwood National and State Parks. Picture this: you're cruising along for about 31.7 miles, west to east, starting from Redwood Highway (U.S. 101) and eventually popping out on CA-169. But here's the thing โ€“ much of this road is unpaved, adding a real off-the-beaten-path vibe! Be warned, it's a climb! This road gets pretty steep, hitting a 15% grade as you wind your way up to a breathtaking 3,189 feet above sea level. I wouldn't recommend bringing a massive RV or trailer along for the ride. The payoff? Seriously stunning scenery. You'll be surrounded by ancient redwoods, gorgeous oak woodlands, and vast prairies. Keep your eyes peeled for elk โ€“ this area is prime viewing territory! Bald Hills Road is open year-round, so you can experience this beauty no matter the season. Get ready for a memorable drive!

Decker Canyon Road is a drive you'll never forget in Malibuextreme

Decker Canyon Road is a drive you'll never forget in Malibu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Cruising around Malibu and looking for an epic drive? Decker Canyon Road is calling your name! This baby is located south of Thousand Oaks, snaking through western LA County. Think you're ready for one of Malibu's most scenic (and unforgettable) routes? This 4.7-mile stretch, part of Highway 23, winds south-to-north from the PCH near Trancas up to Mulholland Highway. Named after the OG Decker family from the 1800s, the road climbs fast, with some serious elevation changes (we're talking up to 10%!). The views? Insane. You'll get glimpses of the Pacific and the Santa Monica Mountains... if you can tear your eyes from the road. Decker Canyon is paved, but super narrow with non-stop twists and turns, running parallel to Encinal Canyon Road. Heads up: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. Expect hairpin turns right off the bat, so leave the trailer at home. Seriously. Even in a car, itโ€™s a workout. Keep it under 30 mph, watch out for rocks and sand (especially after a storm), and remember those guardrails are few and far between, so keep your eyes on the road! Locals call this the most deadly stretch of road in California with the technical corners, decreasing radius sweepers, elevation changes, and half-mile straights. But if youโ€™re a confident driver or a motorcyclist with a GoPro, this could be your new favorite thrill ride. Just... be careful out there!