Ultimate 4wd destination: Dickson Pass

Ultimate 4wd destination: Dickson Pass

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,190 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a killer off-road experience for you in southeastern Utah's San Juan County. We're talking about Dickson Pass, a wild ride that tops out at a breathtaking 10,465 feet!

You'll find it nestled in the Abajo Mountains, and to conquer it, you'll need a trusty 4x4 because this baby is unpaved – Forest Road 0087, aka Abajo Peak Road. Most of it's pretty decent, but the final stretch? Get ready to rumble!

The road, snaking through the Manti-La Sal National Forest, is usually good to go from late June until sometime in October, weather permitting. Seriously, don't even think about it if the forecast looks dicey. But if the sun's shining, prepare for some mind-blowing scenery you won't soon forget.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,190 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

Black Mountainhard

Black Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of north-central Sevier County, Utah, you'll find Black Mountain, topping out at a cool 6,578 feet. Forget your pavement princess, though. The road to the summit – Forest Road 278 – is all gravel, all the time. Translation? Bumpy. Like, seriously bumpy. You're gonna need a 4x4 with some serious clearance to make this trek. But trust me, those 360-degree views from the top? Totally worth it. The climb itself is pretty chill. We're talking about a 2.9-mile jaunt up from Forest Road 047, gaining only 364 feet, with a super-mellow average gradient. But heads up: this ride is remote. Like, *really* remote. So pack your supplies, tell someone where you're going, and be prepared for the unexpected. You won't find a gas station or a friendly face for miles!

Why was the road to Baldy Mountain built?hard

Why was the road to Baldy Mountain built?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to check out Baldy Mountain in New Mexico's Colfax County. This isn't just any peak; we're talking serious altitude – 12,185 feet! The road to the summit (also known as Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy) has a cool backstory. It's an old mining road carved into the Cimarron Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, leftover from the days of copper, gold, and silver booms. Near the top, you can even explore the remnants of the Mystic Lode copper mine! The adventure kicks off just north of Elizabethtown on NM-38. From there, it’s about 8 miles of pure unpaved, mountainous bliss. Get ready for a climb, though; we're talking a 3,500+ foot elevation gain! Word to the wise: This road's a beast! Typically snowed in and closed until July (sometimes even later!). It’s narrow, windy, and demands your full attention, especially with limited spots to pass. If you're brave enough, tackle the 17 hairpin turns that are calling your name! You’ll definitely want a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. Plus, keep an eye on the sky – this area gets some seriously intense monsoon season action with rain, hail, and lightning. But if you're prepared, the views are absolutely worth it!

Fishhook Lakemoderate

Fishhook Lake

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so picture this: Wyoming, Medicine Bow National Forest, and you're itching for an adventure. Fishhook Lake is calling your name, perched way up high at 10,659 feet! Forest Road 332 is your path, but be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. This gravel road is rocky, bumpy, and can get a bit tippy in spots. We're talking a high-clearance vehicle is definitely your friend here. The views? Absolutely stunning. But keep in mind, this route is usually snowed in from September to June. Experienced off-roaders will love it, but if unpaved mountain roads aren’t your thing, maybe sit this one out. It's a maintained road, but still, come prepared!

Ultimate 4wd destination: Clear Lake in San Juan NFhard

Ultimate 4wd destination: Clear Lake in San Juan NF

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Clear Lake! Picture this: an alpine turquoise dream shimmering at almost 12,000 feet high, nestled in Colorado's San Juan County. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. You'll find this gem tucked away in the San Juan National Forest, just west of the cool little town of Silverton, south of South Lookout Peak. The road to the lake? Forget pavement! It's a wild, rocky ride known as Forest Road 815 (Clear Lake Road). From Forest Road 585, near South Mineral Campground, it's a relatively short 4.4 miles, but don't let the distance fool you. You'll absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle, and 4x4 is highly recommended. Think narrow, steep, and hairpin turns that'll test your skills. Oh, and did I mention the seriously steep drop-offs? Beginners beware! Plenty of designated parking at the top though, so don't even think about parking on the grass. Open seasonally, from late spring to late fall, this high-altitude road is a stunner. You'll pass old mining relics along the way, but the real draw is the incredible scenery, wildflowers, and waterfalls. It's a bit of a white-knuckle climb to that magical lake above, but trust me, the views are worth every sweaty palm and craned neck. And yeah, that road gets steep! We're talking gradients up to 16% in sections. You'll climb over 2,000 feet from Forest Road 585, with an average gradient of over 9%.