Metroz Mountain

Metroz Mountain

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,581 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a killer drive for you in Mineral County, Colorado: Metroz Mountain. We're talking serious altitude here, peaking at 11,748 feet!

This isn't your average Sunday cruise, though. You'll find yourself on County Road 430, a rugged, gravel track through the Rio Grande National Forest. Expect a bumpy, rocky ride that might get your tires singing!

Heads up: This road is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. If you're not comfortable navigating unpaved, mountainous terrain, maybe sit this one out. But, if you're up for an off-the-beaten-path experience with incredible views, Metroz Mountain is calling your name!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,581 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

Morelos Roadmoderate

Morelos Road

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to the remote town of Morelos in Chihuahua, buckle up for one wild ride! Seriously, this place was so cut off, they only got electricity a hot minute ago. Forget easy access; this town is tucked deep in the rugged Sierra Madre mountains, making even building a road here a Herculean task. Now, about that road... it's a long, unpaved rollercoaster of gravel and potential peril. Think plunging into canyons, navigating drug plantation territory (yikes!), and battling the elements with mudslides and flash floods. Oh, and keep an eye out for the local wildlife! But hold on, because this insane route comes with a major perk: mind-blowing scenery. We're talking epic, sprawling canyons that rival even the Grand Canyon or Copper Canyon! This road is a true test of your driving mettle, pushing your skills (and your vehicle's guts) to the absolute limit. Starting near Batopilas at a humble 570 meters above sea level, you'll climb, climb, climb through hairpin turns to the town of Buenavista at a whopping 2400 meters. That's an elevation change of over 1800 meters in less than 20 kilometers! After cruising along a mesa near Los Chiqueros for about 20 kilometers, you'll plunge down to Polanco (1400 masl) and then descend even further into the San Miguel canyon to 410 masl in just 30 kilometers! Finally cross the river and ascend again to 1140 masl to end at Morelos sitting at 580 meters above sea level. So, are you brave enough to tackle this beast?

South Mount Hawkinshard

South Mount Hawkins

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about South Mount Hawkins, a killer peak sitting pretty at 7,785 feet in the Angeles National Forest, California! Getting to the top is no joke – Forest Service Road 3N07 is a wild ride of gravel, rocks, and bumps that’ll test your off-roading skills. Think seriously rough and ready. It’s usually closed from October to June, so plan accordingly. Seriously, if unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, this ain't the drive for you. This road gets NARROW in spots. Seriously narrow! We're talking edge-of-your-seat, dangerous drop-offs that demand your full attention. The old lookout tower at the top, sadly burned down years ago, but the views? Absolutely breathtaking. You'll need a 4x4, and a good head for heights as it's steep with washouts along the way. Legend says the peak's named after Nellie Hawkins, a waitress at Squirrel Inn back in the day.

How long is the Million Dollar Highway?extreme

How long is the Million Dollar Highway?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're in western Colorado, about to tackle the legendary Million Dollar Highway! This isn't just any road trip; it's a 25-mile (40 km) rollercoaster from Silverton to Ouray that'll take your breath away – literally! Give yourself around 42 minutes to fully soak it in, but be warned, RVs also love this route, so patience is key. Now, this beauty is generally open year-round, but Mother Nature can be a bit of a diva, especially in winter. We're talking possible closures and chain requirements thanks to those snowy conditions. You'll be scaling three epic mountain passes – Coal Bank (10,640 ft / 3,240 m), Molas (10,970 ft / 3,340 m), and Red Mountain (11,018 ft / 3,358 m). Summer days? Expect temps ranging from a balmy 70-90°F at the ends to a cooler 50-70°F up high. Rain can turn things dicey, creating surprise waterfalls, and did I mention this stretch has some serious avalanche risk? So, yeah, it's not all sunshine and roses. This road demands respect. That initial drive? Get ready for sweaty palms! You'll be hugging the "outside" lane with views that are both stunning and slightly terrifying. Some of those mountain turns require a snail's pace of 10 mph. The real heart-pumper is that 12-mile stretch south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge leading to Red Mountain Pass. Think steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a distinct lack of guardrails! Those hairpin turns are no joke. And drivers sometimes get a bit "frozen" mid-route. Going south, you're the one on the exposed side. The origin of that name? Mystery! Some say it cost a million bucks a mile to build, others claim the dirt's laced with gold ore. No matter the truth, it was hand-carved in the 1880s as a toll road, and today, it's one of the most spectacular drives in the US, if you don’t drive too fast for conditions. Is it worth it? Absolutely! You’ll be cruising through the San Juan Mountains, spotting wildflowers, elk, mountain goats (maybe even a bear!), and soaking in views that'll stay with you forever. It's a true bucket-list adventure!

Infrastructure and Environmental Risk Factorsextreme

Infrastructure and Environmental Risk Factors

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're heading up to Bear Lake in Colorado. It's all paved, so no off-roading needed, but the views? Absolutely stunning. Or, how about tackling the Carlsbad Caverns switchbacks in New Mexico? This one's a bit more intense—we're talking a seriously steep 20-degree grade! Hold on tight, it's a wild ride. Want more? Come check out some spectacular roads across the globe!