
Mount Elbert
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,504 m
hard
Year-round
Mount Elbert is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.504m (11,496ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
The summit is located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The road to the summit is very rough, tippy and bumpy at times. Located on the Elbert Massif in San Isabel National Forest, the road is totally impassable in winters, often until July 4th or later. Great trail for experienced wheelers. The trail is narrow with few places for passing so meeting someone can be a challenge. High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude. The mountain was named in honor of a Colorado statesman, Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was active in the formative period of the state and Governor of the Territory of Colorado from 1873 to 1874. The trail to the summit is called Forest Road 110J (Iron Mike Road or Halfmoon Road). It’s an old mining road. Keep an eye on the weather for thunderstorms and lightning. Near the summit there are remants of several abandoned old mining buildings. The road can be driven in many stock SUVs equipped with 4x4 & higher clearance. However, the road is continuously rocky and does present some degree of clearance challenges for stock SUVs. Avoid dangerous afternoon storms. If you see dark puffy clouds building, turn around and get off the mountain.
Maverick Mountain: Driving to the 8,086ft lookout in Fort Apache
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,504 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardDare to drive the dangerous Calico Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near San Bernardino County, California, and you're craving a seriously epic off-road adventure, Calico Peak is calling your name. Nestled in the Mojave Desert's Calico Mountains, this beast tops out at 4,543 feet, and getting there is NOT for the faint of heart. We're talking about Doran Scenic Drive, although "scenic" is used loosely here. This used to be a paved road, but Mother Nature had other plans. Floods wiped it out, leaving behind gnarly canyon washes and rogue chunks of pavement that only add to the challenge. Seriously, a 4x4 with high clearance is an absolute must. Don't even think about attempting this solo, and definitely leave the oversized vehicles and stock SUVs at home. We're talking narrow passages, massive boulders, and embedded rock just waiting to shred your tires. Skid plates and differential lockers? Consider them essential gear. The climb starts from Calico Road, stretching for 5 miles with a hefty 2,388-foot elevation gain – that's an average gradient of 9.1%! But trust me, the payoff is HUGE. Once you conquer the steep inclines and nail-biting obstacles, you're rewarded with mind-blowing 360-degree views from the top. Radio towers mark the summit, and you'll be able to spot everything from Tiefort Mountain all the way to the San Bernardino Mountains and Mt. Baldy. Bring your camera, folks – you'll want to remember this one!
moderateWhy is it called Covington Flat Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Joshua Tree National Park, in sunny California, on Covington Flat Road. This isn't your typical paved paradise; it's a 9.6-mile unpaved adventure into the desert backcountry, split into Lower and Upper sections. Named after some pioneer rancher, Will Covington, this road serves up incredible landscapes, and lets you get up close and personal with the park’s biggest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines. Grab a map before you go, trust me. The road can get rutted, especially after a storm, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet, and 4WD is even better. Starting from La Contenta Road near Yucca Valley, the road winds up to a parking area near the Covington Crest Trailhead, topping out at 5,173 feet. From there, it’s a quick hike to Eureka Peak. Heads up: cell service can be spotty, and the climb gets pretty steep near the end. A smaller road branches off to a peak reaching 4,908ft. But, oh, the views! You'll be treated to panoramas of Palm Springs, the surrounding mountains, and the Morongo Basin. Just be aware that rain or snow can make this drive a real challenge. But if you're prepared, it's totally worth it!
moderateWhy is it called Cordova Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cordova Pass! This hidden gem sits high in Colorado's Huerfano County, clocking in at a whopping 11,248 feet above sea level. The pass got its name from Jose De Jesus Cordova, a local legend from way back when. Originally built in 1934 and formerly known as Apishapa Pass, this unpaved road stretches between Gulnare and the highway over Cuchara Pass, offering stunning views in San Isabel National Forest, right by the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. Now, about the drive: most vehicles can handle it, but watch out for ruts and sneaky potholes, especially if you're not in a high-clearance ride. If rain or snow threatens, 4WD is your friend! From Cuchara Pass (FR364), it’s rock and dirt, and not recommended for RVs or long trailers. Heading east? County Road 46 gets a bit rough until you hit the south end of the National Forest. Keep in mind, this route is usually snowed in from mid-November to late May. But when it's open, the views are so worth it! You'll also find a parking area with facilities. Don't miss the Cordova Arch (aka Apishapa Arch) on the eastern side – a seriously cool monument built right through the Spanish Peaks' igneous rock dikes. All in all, it's a super scenic drive!
hardThe hairpinned road to Barranca de Beltran
🇲🇽 Mexico
Want to trade city life for ocean breezes? The Barranca de Beltrán roads (that's both Mexico 54D and the OG Mexico 54) are your ticket from Guadalajara to the Pacific paradise of Manzanillo (and Colima, too!). The real showstopper? The Beltrán canyon area. Zoom across towering bridges on the toll road (they're even building more!), or take the "libre" route for a wild ride with five hairpin turns. The views are insane – think dramatic canyons dwarfed by those massive toll bridges overhead. But wait, there's more! Get ready for epic vistas of the Nevado de Colima mountain and the Colima volcano. The landscape is a total chameleon, morphing from coconut palms near Manzanillo to lush rainforest near Colima, and even stretches of desert near the Sayula lagoon. Quick heads-up: the road to Urique is best avoided due to safety concerns. And if you're up for another thrilling adventure, check out Bajada a Xichu for unreal views of the Sierra Madre Oriental.