Last Chance Road

Last Chance Road

Usa, north-america

Length

8.85 km

Elevation

1.826 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Last Chance Road (aka USFS Road 44-22) in Placer County, California is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a rugged 5.5-mile stretch of gravel through the Tahoe National Forest.

Definitely need 4-wheel drive for this one – some sections get pretty tight! But trust me, the views are totally worth it; some of the best California has to offer. You'll climb to a lofty 6,000 feet above sea level.

Your destination? Last Chance, a legit ghost town tucked away in the mountains. Think abandoned houses, vintage cars rusting away, and the ghostly remains of a once-bustling community. It's a photographer's dream and a history buff's paradise! Just be prepared for some seriously remote vibes and a whole lotta awesome.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
8.85 km
Max Elevation
1.826 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

Cumbres de Maltrata is a dangerous Mexican roadextreme

Cumbres de Maltrata is a dangerous Mexican road

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because we're tackling Cumbres de Maltrata, a stretch of México 150D that connects Mexico City to the Gulf! Word on the street is, it’s got a rep for being the most intense highway in Mexico. Think dramatic curves, seriously steep hills, and a whole lotta traffic. Keep an eye out for braking ramps (you’ll see trucks using them!), plus three tunnels and a few bridges to keep things interesting. Now, heads up: This road throws some serious curveballs. We're talking foggy weather, rain, and even snow in the winter. Add in a mix of risky drivers, brake failures (especially on big rigs), and some folks who aren’t so great at navigating those twists and turns, and you've got a recipe for a white-knuckle ride. But hey, it's not all adrenaline! You'll also be treated to jaw-dropping views of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the majestic Pico de Orizaba mountains. You'll climb to a staggering 2,630m (8,628ft) above sea level at the highest point, before dropping down near Orizaba to around 1,300m (4,265ft). Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Mount Patterson radio sitehard

Mount Patterson radio site

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Mount Patterson! This cell site in Mono County, California, isn't just any old spot – it's perched way up high at a whopping 9,931 feet! Seriously, it's one of the loftiest drives in the whole state. The road to the top, nestled in the Sweetwater Mountains, is definitely an adventure. Think gravel, rocks, bumps, and a whole lotta tippy terrain. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one! This road is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July, so plan accordingly. If unpaved, steep, mountain roads make you nervous, maybe skip this one. Muddy conditions can also make things extra challenging. But if you're an experienced off-roader craving incredible views and a real test of your skills, Mount Patterson could be your next unforgettable adventure. Just remember, this ain't for the faint of heart!

Old Cascade Tunnel in Washington is haunted by ghostsextreme

Old Cascade Tunnel in Washington is haunted by ghosts

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Just east of Everett, in Washington's King County, lies the super eerie Old Cascade Tunnel. Picture this: you're in the Cascade Mountains, and there's this abandoned Great Northern Railway tunnel, once built to ditch those pesky switchbacks back in 1900. We're talking a 2.6-mile plunge with a 1.7% grade. Sounds cool, right? Wrong! This place is seriously unstable. I'm talking cave-ins, collapsed eastern end with a stagnant lake, and a rock and debris dam blocking the way. Oh, and did I mention the cracked and split tunnel lining? Seriously, DO NOT ENTER! It's super dangerous, and entry is prohibited. But hey, there's a viewpoint at the west end where you can safely soak in the…uh… ambiance. Legend has it this tunnel is haunted by the ghosts of the 1910 Wellington disaster. Spooky!

How long is NC-12?moderate

How long is NC-12?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cruising down North Carolina Highway 12 is like a dream! This epic coastal route hugs the Outer Banks, offering insane views of the Atlantic. Clocking in at 147 miles, this baby's a ribbon of asphalt draped over sand, linking the islands and peninsulas. You'll even hop on a couple of ferries to explore both ends of Ocracoke Island – score! Starting from U.S. 70 at Sea Level, it winds its way up the Outer Banks past Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island, and all the way to Corolla. Most of the drive is a chill two-lane road sandwiched between the sound and the sea. Now, word to the wise: Mother Nature can be a bit of a diva here. Coastal storms can get wild, flooding the road and causing erosion. High winds can even shut down the ferries, and breaches from major storms are a real threat. Basically, keep an eye on the weather forecast! You’ll see sand dunes everywhere, and the wind is always perfect for flying kites. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? Plus, there are tons of cool stops along the way. You HAVE to check out the historic lighthouses – Bodie Island, Hatteras, and Ocracoke. Seriously, Hatteras and Ocracoke are total gems!