Mormon Emigrant Trail is a drive worth taking in California
Usa, north-america
39.42 km
2,277 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Mormon Emigrant Trail, a ridiculously scenic slice of California heaven in El Dorado County! Originally called Iron Mountain Road, this beauty snakes for about 24.5 miles from Sly Park to Highway 88 (Carson Pass Highway) near Silver Lake.
Picture this: You're cruising through the heart of Eldorado National Forest, smack-dab in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This paved road helped open up Northern California back in the day. Be warned, though – it gets steep, with some ramps hitting a 12% grade.
You'll climb all the way to 7,470 feet above sea level! Winter's a no-go; this road is buried under snow, usually not clear until late June. Icy conditions and heavy snowfall make it super risky. Keep an eye on the weather, too, 'cause you can get summer thunderstorms up here. Nature can be wild, and hazards pop up unexpectedly. Just a heads-up, this area saw some action with the Caldor Fire a while back. Still, it's one unforgettable drive.
Where is it?
Mormon Emigrant Trail is a drive worth taking in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 44.5237, -99.5153
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 39.42 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,277 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 44.5237, -99.5153
Related Roads in north-america
hardMost deadly times to drive in the USA
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado! This baby clocks in at around 25 miles, winding through the San Juan Mountains between Silverton and Ouray. Get ready for some serious elevation changes – you'll be climbing to well over 11,000 feet! Now, let's talk about the fun stuff... and the slightly less fun stuff. This road is known for its narrow lanes, hairpin turns, and steep drop-offs. Guardrails? Sometimes. Should you pay attention? Always! But trust me, the payoff is HUGE. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking: towering peaks, colorful rock formations, and stunning vistas around every bend. You'll feel like you're driving through a postcard. Just take it slow, keep your eyes on the road, and prepare to be amazed!
extremeA Once in a Lifetime Drive through Hell's Backbone Road in Utah
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Hell's Backbone Road, nestled in Utah's Garfield County, a hidden gem within the Dixie National Forest. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! Built back in the Great Depression, this 38-mile dirt road winds its way from Boulder to Escalante, offering a thrilling alternative to the paved highway. They called it the Poison Road back then because one wrong move could send you tumbling! It's named after the super-skinny ridge it crosses. Now, don't let the "family car" suggestion fool you—this road is narrow, winding, and clings to the side of a ridge with seriously steep drops on either side. Stormy weather? Maybe skip it. Remote is an understatement. No cell service, so you’re on your own out there. Oh, and did I mention it climbs to a whopping 9,232 feet? Yeah, it's a high one, which means it's a no-go in winter, closed after the first big snow. But, oh, the views! Sweeping vistas, access to incredible wilderness, and a healthy dose of history. The highlight? Hell's Backbone Bridge, a 109-foot-long span with a 1,500-foot drop on either side. Seriously, bring your camera! It crosses Sand Creek, giving you amazing views of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area. Summer's the busiest time to visit. Give yourself 2-3 hours to tackle this beauty without stops, but honestly, you'll want more time to soak it all in. It's a trip you won't soon forget!
hardDriving the scenic Castle Creek Road in Colorado with beautiful aspen trees
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Castle Creek Road (aka County Road 15) in Colorado's Pitkin County, surrounded by a sea of shimmering aspen trees. Seriously, it's an Instagram dream come true! This windy road is paved smooth as butter, winding its way up into the Rockies, specifically the Elk Range, south of Aspen in the Ashcroft Valley. The views? Absolutely magnificent, and the best part is, you won't be fighting hordes of tourists for a parking spot. The road leads to Ashcroft, a cool little ghost town with restored buildings from its silver mining heyday back in the 1880s. Keep in mind, though, that Old Man Winter usually shuts this beauty down around November 15th, and it doesn't reopen until around May 15th. But when it's open, get ready for some unforgettable hikes right off the roadside. The drive itself has some steep climbs and hairpin turns to keep things interesting! The main paved road is about 13.2 miles long, climbing 1,844 feet from Aspen. If you're feeling adventurous at the end of the pavement, a gravel road, Cooper Creek Road, climbs up even higher.
hardWhere is the Bunny Man Bridge?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the Bunny Man Bridge in Fairfax County, Virginia. It's basically a one-lane road that goes under a double railroad track. Think creepy, wooded vibes. Locals swear it's one of the spookiest spots around, especially around Halloween. The story goes that a dude in a bunny suit used to (or still does?!) hang out there, maybe with an axe...or something equally terrifying. The legend's got a few twists, but the main one talks about an old mental hospital nearby. A patient named Douglas Griffon escaped, and suddenly, dead rabbits started showing up in the woods. On Halloween, some kids got found hanging from the bridge, all gutted like those rabbits! Real? Probably not. But that doesn't stop the spooky vibes! Even though there's no proof of the hospital or the escapee, the Bunny Man Bridge is totally a local legend. Definitely worth a visit if you're into ghost stories and creepy places.