The Loneliest Highway to Pancake Summit in NV

The Loneliest Highway to Pancake Summit in NV

Usa, north-america

Length

125 km

Elevation

1,993 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, road trip fans, because Pancake Summit in Nevada is calling your name! Nestled high in the White Pine Range at a cool 6,538 feet, this pass is smack-dab in central-eastern Nevada.

You'll be cruising on the iconic Highway 50 (aka "The Loneliest Highway in America"), so get ready for some serious solitude and stunning scenery. Good news: it's paved the whole way! Pancake Summit is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter—things can get a little dicey. Legend has it the name comes from the way the mountains look – just like a stack of pancakes!

This route is a good 77 miles long, stretching from Eureka to Ely, and it's not for the faint of heart. Get ready for some steep climbs (we're talking up to 8% in places!) and a whole lotta twists and turns. But trust me, the views are worth it!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
125 km
Max Elevation
1,993 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

Pine Nut Roadmoderate

Pine Nut Road

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for Pine Nut Road! This 5.9-mile dirt track is tucked away in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, east of the Sheep Range. Don't expect a smooth ride! It's gravel, rocky, and bumpy, but that's part of the fun. It's a north-south route from Mormon Well Road up toward Sheep Peak Mountains, ending at the Pine Nut Camp site. The road's condition is always changing. Dry? Might be a fairly easy drive for high-clearance vehicles. After rain? Watch out! It can get seriously muddy, slippery, and even impassable. That first large wash can be tricky. Heads up: this is a remote area. Be prepared! No cell service in spots, no services, no people. Bring plenty of water, food, a spare tire, shovel, tools, tow rope—basically, everything you'd need to survive a night in the desert.

Is the road to Cofre de Perote unpaved?moderate

Is the road to Cofre de Perote unpaved?

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, picture this: you're in Mexico, about to tackle one of the country's highest roads, reaching for the sky at an insane elevation. We're talking about the road up Cofre de Perote, an extinct volcano in the state of Veracruz. Now, fair warning, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is mostly unpaved, and super twisty - seriously, hairpin turns for days! They even call one section "Paso de la Muerte" or "Pass of Death" - yikes! It’s not particularly wide, either, so keep your fingers crossed you don’t meet anyone coming the other way…especially if your reverse skills are a little rusty. The summit's got all these communication towers, which are kinda cool, but the real draw is the views. The best time to go is outside of winter when it can get super icy. Rainy season, from about July to October, isn’t ideal either. You're looking at about 17 kilometers of winding, unpaved road to get to the top. But trust me, those kilometers pack a punch, and the payoff is unreal!

Top of the World is one of the gnarliest roads of Moabextreme

Top of the World is one of the gnarliest roads of Moab

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to Moab, Utah, and you're craving a view that'll knock your socks off, you HAVE to check out Top of the World. Perched at 7,050 feet, this natural viewpoint gives you a killer panorama from a 3,000-foot cliff overlook. Seriously, it might just be the best view in the whole state. Getting there is half the adventure! The Top of the World trail, about 9.5 miles long, is a totally unpaved 4x4 route that kicks off from UT-128. Now, let's be real: this drive is no Sunday cruise. We're talking broken, layered rock, shelves of all sizes, loose rock, ledges, bedrock, sand, and even a little slickrock. The last few miles are seriously intense, so you'll want a rig that can handle it. Think 35" tires, a 3" lift, and lockers. This trail is bumpy with obstacles, so drivers can break an axle if not careful. Stock SUVs should probably sit this one out. Pack your tools and gear because help is a long way away if you get into trouble. Oh, and hold on to your hat! The wind up here can be wild, rushing up from the valley below. The climb involves slickrock, rock shelves, and steps. Oversized tires, high clearance, and a rear locker are highly recommended. Surprisingly, cell service is pretty good, even in this remote spot. The road gets steep, with gradients hitting 15% in places. And if it's raining or snowy, unless you're a pro with a winch, save this adventure for another day. Give yourself 2.5 to 3.5 hours to drive the trail without stopping. Trust me, you'll want to stop for photos! The trail ends at the lookout point, overlooking one of the most picturesque views of the Utah landscape. Just be super careful near the cliff edge – there are no handrails, and it's not suitable for kids. But the 360° views from Waring Mesa are worth it! You'll be treated to epic views of Fisher Valley, Onion Creek, and the La Sal Mountains. It’s an amazing canyon view and it’s not to be missed! This drive is challenging, but the reward is a panorama you won't soon forget. Get ready to say "WOW!"

Where is Kolokole Pass?hard

Where is Kolokole Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Kolokole Pass! This hidden gem sits way up in the Waianae Mountain Range on Oahu, Hawaii, clocking in at 504m (1,653ft). You'll find it connecting central and western Oahu. The road itself, Kolokole Road, stretches for about 22.20km (13.8 miles) from Wahiawa to Nānākuli. It's a fully paved ribbon of asphalt, but get ready for some twists and turns! Think steep climbs, tight corners, and some narrow stretches to keep things interesting. Now, here's the catch: access is usually limited to military personnel. But, rumor has it, the road sometimes opens to the public during emergencies. Keep an eye out, but be aware that heavy rains and rockslides can shut it down in a heartbeat. Oh, and movie buffs? You might recognize the scenery! This is the spot where those WWII Japanese fighters supposedly flew through on their way to bomb Pearl Harbor in that iconic war film. Pretty cool, right?