
Salinas Peak
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,730 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of touching the sky? Well, almost. Check out Salinas Peak, towering at 8,956 feet in south-central New Mexico, right in the heart of the White Sands Missile Range.
Built back in '58, this ain't your average Sunday drive. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bump. We're talking seriously steep! The road winds its way up the San Andres Mountains. Word to the wise: winter can shut this path down completely. If you're not a fan of unpaved roads or have a fear of heights, maybe sit this one out. A rainy day turns this road to a muddy mess! The reward? Radio towers, a heliport, and bragging rights from the summit. Just a heads-up: this is a restricted area, so leave the camera at home.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,730 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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