Silver Pass

Silver Pass

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,004 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so you're looking for a real adventure? Then Silver Pass in Colorado's La Plata County needs to be on your radar. We're talking a lung-busting 9,855 feet above sea level!

Forget smooth asphalt, this is County Road 253 (aka Missionary Ridge Road) and it’s all about the gravel and rocks. Winter? Forget about it, this road laughs in the face of snowplows. Seriously, if you're not comfortable tackling unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. A proper 4x4 is a MUST, and a head for heights is pretty essential. Prepare for some seriously steep sections that will test your nerve, but reward you with incredible views.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,004 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Granite Peak?hard

Where is Granite Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! You HAVE to check out the road to Granite Peak in central Montana – seriously breathtaking! Nestled on the eastern edge of the Tobacco Root Mountains, this unpaved adventure is not for the faint of heart. How high are we talking? Well, it's one of the highest roads in Montana. The whole route is totally unpaved and features some seriously narrow sections – so, yeah, proceed with caution! Clocking in at just under 13 miles long, you'll gain some serious elevation – expect some steep gradients! And, this road is closed in winter – makes sense, right? Think incredible scenery – the kind that makes you want to pull over every five minutes to snap a photo. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road...and maybe bring a passenger to be your personal photographer! If you love roads with a bit of an edge and views that are totally worth it, Granite Peak is calling your name.

Where is Gray’s Peak?hard

Where is Gray’s Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Gray's Peak in Colorado! This beauty sits pretty in Clear Creek County, about 40 miles west of Denver. The prize? A super rough road that climbs to a whopping 11,443 feet! We're talking Stevens Gulch Road (Road 321) here, folks. Forget pavement – it's all about unmaintained dirt, rocky climbs, washouts, and potholes. Seriously, some of these cuts in the road are over two feet deep! You'll definitely want a 4x4 with good clearance for this one, though a careful AWD might make it. From I-70, it's a 3.4-mile climb with an elevation gain of 1,643 feet. That's an average gradient of 9.15%, with some sections hitting a steep 13%. Word to the wise: this spot is popular! During the summer, the parking lot fills up fast, so expect to see cars lining the road, especially on weekends. Keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic – things can get tight! Also, remember Mother Nature calls the shots here. This road's usually only safe mid-summer – think June to August – when the snow's mostly melted. Be sure to check conditions before you go; they can change year to year.

Ortiz Peakhard

Ortiz Peak

🇺🇸 Usa

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!

How long is Gold Butte Back Country Byway in NV?easy

How long is Gold Butte Back Country Byway in NV?

🇺🇸 Usa

Craving a desert escape? The Gold Butte Back Country Byway in Nevada's Clark County is calling your name! This 62-mile dirt road adventure starts south of Mesquite off NV 170 and winds its way south to the historic Gold Butte mining town. The first 24 miles are a breeze on a paved road, perfect for any car. After Devil's Throat, you'll find a well-maintained gravel section that's also passenger-car friendly. But hold on, adventure seekers! Heading west from Devil's Throat, things get real with a lightly maintained dirt road that begs for a high-clearance, 2WD or 4WD vehicle. Seriously, for the full experience, a high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet. But is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll be plunged into some of Southern Nevada’s most stunning desert landscapes. Think open desert vistas leading to Whitney Pocket, a hidden gem of red and white sandstone formations. Keep heading south and you'll hit iconic spots like Gold Butte Townsite and Devil's Throat, all surrounded by unbelievable scenery. Camping and hiking? You bet! Keep your eyes peeled for desert critters, ancient petroglyphs, curious sinkholes, and those incredible red and white sandstone formations. Now, a word of caution: this is a seriously remote area. We're talking vast, desolate desert. There are ZERO services out here – no restrooms, water, gas, or food. You need to be totally self-sufficient. Pack more than you think you'll need, just in case. A BLM Ranger patrols the area, but it’s a huge place, so be prepared to survive on your own for a day or two. When to go? March and April are prime time, with dazzling wildflower displays. After May, it gets HOT. Avoid visiting between June and mid-September unless you're a lizard.