
The road to Ben Harrison Peak in OR isn’t an easy one
Usa, north-america
2.57 km
2,348 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're headed to Ben Harrison Peak in Oregon's Grant County. This beast tops out at 7,703 feet within the Umatilla National Forest's Greenhorn Mountains.
Forget pavement, you'll be tackling NF-148, a rugged dirt track that's pure 4x4 territory. Think ruts, rocks, and steep climbs – some sections hit a 13% grade! You'll be grinding for about 1.6 miles, starting from Vincent Creek Road (Forest Service Road 2010) . Plan your trip between mid-June and October when the road is usually clear. Keep an eye out for old mining sites scattered around the range. The views from the top are totally worth the bumpy ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.57 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,348 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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