
Travel Guide to Lolo Pass in Oregon
Usa, north-america
64.4 km
1,050 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to Lolo Pass in Oregon, a sweet mountain escape sitting pretty at 3,444 feet. You'll find it nestled in the Mt. Hood National Forest, straddling Hood River and Clackamas counties.
Lolo Pass Road (aka Forest Road 18) is your path to glory, about 40 miles southwest of Hood River. The southwest climb is paved, but hold onto your hats because the actual pass is gravel that leads down the northeast side.
Word to the wise: winter slams the door shut with heavy snow, so plan accordingly. This route isn't a walk in the park, and trailers are a definite no-no. Historically, Native Americans used this as a trading route, but the current road dates back to 1955. Get ready for stunning views and a true off-the-beaten-path experience!
Where is it?
Travel Guide to Lolo Pass in Oregon is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 37.4881, -96.0464
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 64.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,050 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 37.4881, -96.0464
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is the Phinney Canyon Road?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're craving a seriously epic desert adventure, Phinney Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park (southern Nevada) is calling your name! This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about an 11.7-mile trek north of Beatty that starts out pretty tame but quickly demands respect. A high-clearance vehicle is a must, and honestly, you'll be thanking your lucky stars if you've got four-wheel drive with low-range capability. Trust me, there's a section where you'll need it! But the challenge is SO worth it! This road winds through gorgeous pinyon pine woodlands as you climb into the Grapevine Mountains high country. The views alone are worth the dust and bumps. Be sure to check the Death Valley National Park website for the latest conditions before you go. Happy trails!
hardA narrow dirt road with steep drop offs to Francis Peak in Utah
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near northern Utah, you HAVE to check out Francis Peak! Perched way up high on the border of Davis and Morgan counties, this mountain clocks in at a whopping 9,471 feet. The road? Well, let's just say it's an experience. You'll start on pavement, cruising nice and easy for about a mile. Then, BAM! You hit a winding, narrow dirt road that'll take you on a 12-mile rollercoaster up the mountain. Itβs called Francis Peak Road, but some know it as Skyline Drive or Farmington Canyon Road. Now, be warned, this climb is STEEP! Starting near Farmington, you're looking at almost 13 miles of uphill driving, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation. And hold on tight β there are some serious drop-offs and iffy cell service the whole way. Heads up: this road is a no-go in winter. Snow can stick around well into June. Once you get to the top (which is inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, BTW), you'll find a restricted zone with huge radar towers that look like something out of a sci-fi movie! Sadly, you can't get right up to the towers themselves. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes sunbathing near the rocks! But most importantly, soak in the views! Seriously, they're insane. You can see Morgan to the east and the Great Salt Lake shimmering to the west. Trust me, this is one adventure you won't forget.
hardHow long is the Dettah ice road?
π¨π¦ Canada
Okay, picture this: you're in the North Slave Region of Canada's Northwest Territories, ready for a seriously cool adventure. I'm talking about the Dettah Ice Road, a wild stretch that connects Yellowknife with the little community of Dettah every winter. So, what's the deal? It's basically a 6.4-kilometer (almost 4 miles) dash across the frozen Yellowknife Bay, part of the massive Great Slave Lake. When the ice is thick enough β we're talking about a meter of solid ice β it can handle some serious weight, like a fully loaded fuel truck. Heads up, this isn't your everyday highway. This road has to be built from scratch every year, and it's only open for a short window, usually from late December to early April. But timing can be tricky; some years, it opens later due to weather. You'll want to make sure it is officially open before you hit the ice. When it's open, the speed limits are there for a reason, so keep an eye on those signs. The road is wide, so there are pull-offs for taking some seriously epic photos. In the summer, the drive between Yellowknife and Dettah is 27 km long β an all-weather track. But in the winter you can cross the ice road in about 15β20 minutes. The views are stunning, making it a must-do for any adventurous traveler hitting up the Northwest Territories!
extremeHow to get by car to Badwater Basin, the lowest point of North America?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Death Valley National Park in eastern California, heading towards a spot so low, it's almost unbelievable. I'm talking about Badwater Basin, a vast salt flat sitting at a whopping 282 feet *below* sea level β the absolute bottom of the barrel in North America! The road in, Badwater Road (aka CA 178), is paved the whole way, so no need for a 4x4. You'll hop on from Furnace Creek (off CA-190) for a smooth 15.5-mile ride. It's mostly gentle, with a few short ramps kicking up to a 4% gradient. Keep an eye out for the "SEA LEVEL" sign high up on the cliffs β it really puts things into perspective, showing just how far down you are. The landscape is seriously surreal. This whole area used to be a lake, but over time, it dried up, leaving behind crazy salt formations. The name? Legend has it a thirsty traveler tried to give the water to his mule, but it was so salty, the poor thing refused to drink it! Hence, "Badwater." Now, Death Valley isn't messing around with its climate. It's one of the hottest places on earth, so come prepared. Major rainstorms can flood the valley floor, so be aware of your surroundings. If you're there in a downpour, get to higher ground pronto! And remember, cell service can be spotty, so don't rely on your phone. The drive itself takes about 30 minutes without stops, but you'll want to pull over and soak it all in. The basin itself is otherworldly. Word to the wise: it gets crowded, especially on weekends. You can see it from the parking lot, but make sure you check out Artistβs Drive along the way β more mind-blowing Death Valley scenery you won't want to miss. Trust me, Badwater Basin is a bucket-list destination!