
Little Bald Mountain
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,189 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Little Bald Mountain, also known as Duncan Peak, nestled high up in Placer County, California! We're talking a whopping 7,182 feet above sea level! You'll find this gem inside Tahoe National Forest, and the way up is via Robinson Flat Road.
Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive. Expect a gravelly, rocky, and bumpy ride that can get pretty dicey. We're talking 4x4 recommended territory, and maybe not the best choice if unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing. Winter? Forget about it – this road is usually snowed in. It's steep in sections, so if you are scared of heights, maybe give this one a miss. A wet day just turns the road into a muddy mess, too.
But, if you're up for the challenge, the views are SO worth it! And at the top, you'll find a cool fire lookout tower that's been there since 1943, still used by the Forest Service during those hot summer months. Get ready for some serious scenery and a truly unforgettable off-road experience!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,189 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeArta Lake
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Arta Lake in Utah's Wasatch County. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a high-mountain lake sitting pretty at 10,298 feet! Getting there? Buckle up. Forest Road 143 is a beast. Think rough, rocky, and seriously steep. This baby's off-limits in the winter, so plan accordingly. Not a fan of unpaved mountain roads? Maybe skip this one. But if you're game, a 4x4 is your best friend. Oh, and if heights make you queasy, be warned: it's a pretty intense climb. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment.
moderateWhere is Eagle Rock in California?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Eagle Rock, also known as Eagle Peak, Eagle Rock Peak, or Campbell Peak, sits high up in central California. Fair warning: you're gonna need a 4x4 to tackle the road to the top. It's short, just about 0.6 miles from the paved section, but seriously steep in places, with some sections hitting a wild gradient. We're talking a 230-foot climb, averaging around 7%! Heads up, the old fire lookout that the CCC built in 1934 is sadly gone, torched in 2018. But don't let that bum you out. Once you're up there, a little path takes you to the edge of the rock, which is a pretty intense drop-off. Watch your step! The payoff? Killer panoramic views of Mt. Umunhum, Loma Prieta, the Santa Lucia Range, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Totally worth the white-knuckle drive!
moderateThe Alaskan Road to Nowhere is a lonely drive out in the middle of nowhere
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in Alaska, in the Alexander Archipelago to be exact, cruising down a gravel road. Locals jokingly call it the "Road to Nowhere," which is officially the Gravina Island Highway. It stretches for about 3.2 miles, and you can open her up to 35 mph...if you dare. Here's the backstory: this highway was supposed to be part of a grand plan to link Ketchikan International Airport to the city of Ketchikan with a fancy bridge. But, plot twist, the bridge got scrapped! So, what's left? A beautifully paved road surrounded by Alaskan wilderness—muskeg and scrub forest as far as the eye can see. It even has wide shoulders and curves, all ready for the traffic that never came. Now, this isn't your typical scenic route. It doesn't connect anything major or lead to any must-see attractions. It's just...there. Construction finished in 2008, and despite the bridge being canceled, the highway got built anyway. The end result? A $25 million road that stops abruptly where the bridge should have been. Hence, the "Road to Nowhere" moniker. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, but hey, at least the scenery is pretty!
hardThe road to Pine Creek Reservoir in OR isn’t an easy one
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Pine Creek Reservoir, a hidden gem way up in Oregon's Baker County! We're talking serious altitude here – 6,571 feet above sea level! Nestled in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest, this place is about 10 miles northeast of Sumpter and feels like a world away. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. You'll be cruising along Pine Creek Road, an old, rocky path that's entirely unpaved. The last three miles? Buckle up and engage that four-wheel drive – you're gonna need it! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking seriously steep inclines, with gradients hitting a crazy 23% in some spots! The road stretches for about 4.66 miles from west of Wingville, climbing a whopping 2,588 feet along the way. That gives you an average gradient of over 10%! Due to the steepness, the road is not recommended for motor vehicle use. But hey, the views! You're surrounded by the Elkhorn Mountains, with Rock Creek Butte and Elkhorn Peak towering nearby. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's even a minor unpaved trail leading northwest from the reservoir that climbs even higher, topping out at 7,949 feet. Seriously, this is one of the highest drives in Oregon!