Ortiz Peak

Ortiz Peak

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,423 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Ever heard of Ortiz Peak in Taos County, New Mexico? This bad boy sits way up high at 11,230 feet! Seriously, it's one of the highest drives you can do in the whole state.

Heads up, though: the road to the top is a real gravel grinder – think rocks and rugged terrain. Winter? Forget about it, totally impassable. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is a must. And if you get queasy looking down, this might not be your cup of tea either – it's STEEP. But the views? Totally worth the white knuckles!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,423 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Is Lolo in Idaho or Montana?easy

Is Lolo in Idaho or Montana?

🇺🇸 Usa

Wanna straddle the Montana/Idaho border? Then point your ride towards Lolo Pass! This epic stretch of Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, clocks in at 134 miles of pure driving bliss, stretching from Lolo, Montana, to Kooskia, Idaho. Summiting at 5,242 feet, get ready for about 3 hours of non-stop scenery: think lush meadows, jagged mountain peaks, and endless forested hills. You'll be carving through the Bitterroot Range of the Rockies on perfectly paved asphalt, making it a total dream for motorcyclists. Speaking of which, this route is legendary for its curves — that famous sign doesn't lie: "Curves next 99 miles!" It starts you off easy, lulling you into a false sense of security with those gentle sweepers, but be warned: some of those turns tighten up on you when you least expect it. Keep your eyes peeled; there are few guardrails and some turns can be deceptively sharp. You won't find much in the way of services along the way, so fuel up and pack your snacks before you go. What you WILL find is breathtaking scenery steeped in history - you're basically retracing the footsteps of Lewis & Clark! Built in 1962 and tucked deep inside the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, this road is a must-do for any serious road tripper.

Travel guide to the top of Almagre Mountain Southhard

Travel guide to the top of Almagre Mountain South

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Just west of Colorado Springs lies Almagre Mountain South, a.k.a. Mt. Baldy, topping out at a whopping 12,372 feet! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement; we're talking Forest Service Road 379, a rugged, unmaintained dirt track – think rocks, ruts, and washouts galore! Word is it's an old wagon trail. You'll need a trusty 4x4 to conquer this beast. Be warned, a gate blocks the very final stretch. But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You'll be gazing out over the Sangre de Cristos and even the Sawatch range. The climb is a serious workout, rising 1,585 feet over 6.5 miles from Forest Service Road 376. That's a pretty consistent uphill grind, so get ready for it!

Coquihalla Summit in BC is a chillout in high mountainshard

Coquihalla Summit in BC is a chillout in high mountains

🇨🇦 Canada

Cruising through British Columbia? You HAVE to check out the Coquihalla Summit! This mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,249m (4,097ft), offering some serious views in the Canadian Cascades. Named after the Coquihalla River, this iconic stretch of road, known as British Columbia Highway 5 (or the Coquihalla Highway), stretches for 115km (71 miles) between Hope and Merritt. Built back in 1941, the road is fully paved, but be warned – the ascent can be seriously steep, especially heading north from Hope! While the highway is generally in good shape, keep an eye out for frost heaves and uneven pavement in spots. Good news: it’s a divided highway, so slower traffic isn't a huge deal. Even though it's a modern road, some truckers avoid it because of the extra fuel needed for those intense inclines. This pass is usually open year-round, but winter can throw some curveballs. Think sudden snowstorms, blowing snow, and fog – making driving tricky. Temps can plummet to -30°C! You’ll see avalanche chutes, a stark reminder of the wild terrain. Winter tires or chains are a MUST from October to April. Pro tip: pack extra fuel, winter gear, a candle, and even a sleeping bag, just in case. And, of course, make sure your ride is in tip-top shape! In the summer, keep an eye on your engine temp because of the constant uphill climb. Trust me, the scenery is worth it!

Where is Green Mountain?hard

Where is Green Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you're hunting for off-the-beaten-path thrills in New Mexico, Green Mountain is calling your name. Tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this peak boasts some serious views from its tippy-top. Fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking about an old logging road that's seen better days. Think crazy-tight switchbacks where you might have to play chicken with oncoming traffic, and a surface that’s…rustic, let's say. You absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle to even think about tackling this beast. The adventure clocks in around 7 miles from the pavement, packing in a lung-busting 2,700 feet of elevation gain. That's an average grade of 7.5%, but be prepared for some pitches that hit a whopping 15%! The road's usually snowed in until late spring/early summer, and even in the warmer months, loose rocks abound. But hey, the bragging rights (and those summit views!)? Totally worth it. Just keep an eye on the weather.