The road to the summit of Mount Locke in Texas
Usa, north-america
2.73 km
2,070 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! If you're cruising through western Texas, you NEED to check out the drive up Mount Locke. Seriously, it’s one of the highest paved roads in the entire state!
You'll find it smack-dab in Jeff Davis County, a breezy 17 miles from Fort Davis. Just hop on Texas State Highway Spur 78 (or just Spur 78 to the locals) and get ready for a climb. The road's paved, but it's STEEP in sections. Think 6-11% grades – not for the faint of heart!
The whole thing is a quick 1.7 mile shot from TX-118, gaining 577 feet in elevation. Not bad, right? Just be warned, your cell service might bail on you along the way. Snow's not super common up there, but the summit can get kinda chilly in the winter.
And the payoff? Unreal views from the top, plus the McDonald Observatory! This place is a seriously cool astronomical research center run by the University of Texas. Think massive telescopes, a killer visitor's center with a gift shop, and even a cafe where you can grab a bite. Oh, and the peak itself? It's named after a local rancher, G.S. Locke. Pretty cool, huh? Trust me, this drive is worth it for the scenery alone!
Where is it?
The road to the summit of Mount Locke in Texas is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.5039, -101.3386
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.73 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,070 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.5039, -101.3386
Related Roads in north-america
hardDriving the road to Eddy Gulch Lookout atop Klamath Peak in CA
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Klamath Peak in Northern California's Klamath National Forest is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious off-road experience to a sky-high summit sitting at 6,519 feet. The road to the top? Pure, unadulterated dirt. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to conquer this one. Your reward at the peak is the Eddy Gulch Lookout, a fire tower with a cool history—it was once the post of Hallie Morse Daggett, the first female fire observer hired by the U.S. Forest Service! It’s still used today. Eddy Gulch Lookout Road winds up from Sawyers Bar along the North Fork Salmon River. Clocking in at just over 18 miles, you'll climb a whopping 4,343 feet. Be prepared for a steep climb with constant twists and turns. The views? Totally worth it!
moderateA bumpy paved road to Ski Apache in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Ski Apache in New Mexico! Perched way up high in Lincoln County, this ski resort sits at a dizzying 9,803 feet! Seriously, if you're not a fan of heights, maybe take a friend who's comfortable driving. You'll find Ski Apache nestled near Ruidoso, right in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico. Getting there is an experience itself. You'll cruise along New Mexico Highway 532, or as the locals call it, Ski Run Road. It's a paved road, thankfully, but hold on tight—it's a bit steep and bumpy. From Alto (off NM-48), it's about 11.9 miles to the top. Speaking of the top, you'll be scaling the Sierra Blanca slopes until you reach a whopping 10,098 feet! The road's generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather during winter. Things can change fast, and they might close it down temporarily. Snow chains could be a lifesaver, too. Now, for the thrill-seekers: this road is STEEP. We're talking a maximum 12% gradient on some of those ramps! Plus, those hairpin turns mean you'll be testing your brakes on the way down. It’s easily one of the twistiest roads in New Mexico. Some spots have barriers, but others? Well, let's just say you get some incredible views... straight down.
hardMount Buckskin
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies, because Mount Buckskin in Park County, Colorado, is calling your name! We're talking about a climb to 12,732 feet—that's seriously high! This isn't your Sunday drive; the road's a gravelly, rocky, and bumpy beast, so experienced off-roaders will be in heaven. Winter? Forget about it—this road's closed. Think of it as a seriously steep, 4x4-only kind of adventure. Not a fan of heights? Maybe skip this one. And if it's been raining, be prepared for some seriously muddy conditions. But hey, it's not all about the challenge! You'll be cruising through the heart of the Mosquito Range in the Rockies, with views that'll make your jaw drop, plus a glimpse into Colorado's old mining days with remnants of that era scattered along the route. It's a wild ride, but the views are SO worth it!
moderateGoing-to-the-Sun Road
🇺🇸 United States
# Going-to-the-Sun Road: Montana's Most Spectacular Mountain Drive Want to experience one of America's most jaw-dropping road trips? The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an 80-kilometer stretch of pure Rocky Mountain magic that cuts straight through Glacier National Park, with the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2,026 m) marking its dramatic high point. Built over eleven grueling years and finally finished in 1932, this highway is basically a masterclass in impossible engineering—seriously, it was such a feat that it earned National Historic Landmark status in 1985. Fair warning: it's the *only* road crossing the park, so if you want to experience these glacially carved landscapes, this is it. The journey itself is absolutely wild. Starting from the gorgeous shores of Lake McDonald on the west side, you'll wind through thick cedar-hemlock forests, past cascading waterfalls, and along some genuinely nerve-wracking narrow ledges that hug sheer cliff faces. The Garden Wall section? That's where things get *really* intense—the road was literally carved directly into a near-vertical cliff, offering those heart-pounding valley views that'll make your stomach flip. Once you reach Logan Pass, you're treated to sprawling alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in July, plus mountain goats casually hanging out near the visitor center. The descent on the eastern side opens up into gorgeous glacial lakes and wild, wind-shaped terrain. Before you go, know the rules: any vehicles over 6.4 meters long or 2.4 meters wide (mirrors included) are banned from certain sections. The road only opens mid-June to mid-October depending on snowmelt, and yes, you'll need a reservation these days because literally everyone wants to drive this thing. Can't blame them.