Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,210 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, space explorers, buckle up! We're headed to Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're climbing to a cool 7,250 feet (2,210 meters) on W Mars Hill Road.

The road's paved, so no worries there, but it's a pretty good climb. Remember Percival Lowell? He kicked things off here back in 1894!

Now, pro-tip: that high elevation is no joke. If you're not used to it, take it easy. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and layer up those clothes! Even in summer, evenings can get chilly. And during the day? Slather on that sunscreen, because that Arizona sun is strong! Get ready for incredible views, and maybe even a glimpse into the cosmos!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
2,210 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

McClure Pass is one of the steepest paved roads of Coloradomoderate

McClure Pass is one of the steepest paved roads of Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for McClure Pass! This beauty sits way up high in Colorado, clocking in at a cool 8,795 feet above sea level. You'll find it straddling Pitkin and Gunnison counties in western Colorado. We're talking about Highway 133 – also known as the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. The entire route is paved, stretching about 50 miles from Carbondale down to Somerset. It got a major upgrade back in '47, so you know it’s a classic. Get ready for some serious climbs! The Carbondale side throws a 9% gradient your way, and Somerset isn't far behind with an 8% grade. Hold on to your hats! The pass is usually open year-round, but winter can bring heavy snow and closures. Avalanche risk is a real thing, so pay attention to warnings. Near the top, there’s a park area with an overlook to soak in the views. Trust me, you’ll want to stop and snap some pics of those stunning Rockies!

Where is Chloride City?extreme

Where is Chloride City?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Chloride City, a legit ghost town in Inyo County, California, is calling your name! Tucked away on the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park, near the Nevada border, this place is like stepping back in time. Chloride City is all about that old mining life. We're talking weathered cabins, mysterious mine shafts, and even a miner's grave – meet James McKay! Plus, keep an eye out for the remains of three old stamp mills. Now, how to get there: Chloride Cliff Road is your dusty path to adventure. Starting from the smooth US-95 (Veterans Memorial Highway), this dirt road stretches for about 14.6 miles (23.49km) into the northern Funeral Mountains. Fair warning: this ain't your average Sunday drive. The road is unpaved and rocky, so watch out for those tire-slashing rocks! The first 12 miles are manageable in a high-clearance vehicle, but after that, you'll need 4WD to tackle the steep, rutted sections. The road tops out at 5,278 feet (1.609m) above sea level. The last bit is a narrow shelf road, but trust me, the views are worth it! At the top, you'll be rewarded with killer panoramas of Death Valley and the Nevada landscape.

How to get to TV Mountain in Montana?extreme

How to get to TV Mountain in Montana?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk TV Mountain in Montana's Missoula County! We're talking serious elevation here, a whopping 6,827 feet! The road up, Point 6 Road, is a gravel 4x4 track, so leave your low-riders at home. Heads up, this isn't a fair-weather jaunt. Think potential avalanches, mega snow dumps, and landslides. Icy patches? Pretty common. The payoff? Killer views from the top, plus you can check out the rad communication towers they've got up there. Just keep an eye on the conditions – safety first, folks!

Where is the road to Oreana Ridge?extreme

Where is the road to Oreana Ridge?

🇺🇸 Usa

Located in the rugged heart of Lemhi County, Idaho, is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of above sea level. Situated within the massive Salmon-Challis National Forest , the drive to the summit is a classic Idaho backcountry experience, combining a technical 4x4 climb with a trip back in time to the era of mountain fire surveillance. Road facts: Oreana Ridge Lemhi County, Idaho, USA FR-067 (Forest Road 067) Gravel / Dirt 4x4 Track Where is the road to Oreana Ridge? The road to the summit is designated as Forest Road 067 (FR-067) . It branches off from , deep within the northern Idaho wilderness. The geography is dominated by steep, timbered ridges and deep canyons that characterize the Salmon-Challis region. This is a remote area where you are far more likely to encounter local wildlife than other travelers, and the isolation requires that you carry full self-recovery gear before leaving the main forest routes. Is the road to Oreana Ridge unpaved? FR-067 is a gravel 4x4 track that is not maintained for standard passenger cars. The surface is a mix of loose mountain gravel and dirt that can become extremely slick after a rain shower. The track is narrow and snakes along the ridge with significant exposure. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is essential, as the road often features deep ruts and rocky sections that will catch low-hanging underbodies. If the weather turns severe, the track can transform into a muddy slide, making it impossible to maintain traction on the steeper ramps. How long is the road to Oreana Ridge? Starting from the junction with Spring Creek Road, the climb to the summit is 4.5 km (2.8 miles) long . While the distance is short, it is a constant upward pull that gains significant elevation in a very few miles. The road leads directly to a historic fire lookout built in 1934 , which still stands at the peak. Driving this stretch requires a slow pace to pick the right lines over the rocks. The final few hundred yards toward the lookout are often the most technical, where the wind-scoured soil leaves the larger stones exposed. What are the hazards at the Oreana Ridge lookout? The biggest hazard at Oreana Ridge isn't just the road surface, but the extreme exposure to lightning . Because the peak is a high point in the forest, it acts as a natural lightning rod. If there is a thunderstorm in the area, you should stay away from the lookout and the ridge entirely. High winds are also a constant factor at 2,470 meters, which can make steering a high-profile vehicle tricky on the narrowest parts of the FR-067. Always check the Lemhi County weather forecast before committing to the climb, as the ridge is no place to be when the Idaho mountain weather breaks. An old mine road to Ball Mountain Take An Unforgettable Drive to Deadwood Mountain in ID 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.