Union Mountain

Union Mountain

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,755 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Union Mountain in Colorado's Summit County is calling your name! This beast of a peak tops out at a whopping 12,319 feet, making it one of Colorado's highest drives.

Located inside the White River National Forest, the "road" to the summit is actually more of a rugged chairlift access trail. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of bumpiness. Basically, you'll be bouncing around like crazy! This isn't a Sunday drive, folks.

Winter has a serious hold on this place, so your window of opportunity is pretty much mid-summer. This trail is definitely for experienced off-roaders only. If you're not comfortable on steep, unpaved mountain roads, steer clear. You'll need a 4x4 with serious ground clearance to even attempt this, and a healthy dose of bravery wouldn't hurt either. Oh, and did I mention it's steep? And if it's wet, expect some seriously muddy conditions. But hey, the views? Totally worth it if you're up for the challenge!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,755 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Revenue Mountainhard

Revenue Mountain

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, so you're in Clear Creek County, Colorado and itching for an adventure? Revenue Mountain is calling your name! This beast clocks in at a whopping 12,221 feet above sea level, making it one of Colorado's highest drivable mountain roads. Now, heads up, this ain't your typical Sunday drive. We're talking gravel roads, rocky patches, and potentially seriously bumpy and muddy conditions. Winter? Forget about it – this road is a no-go due to snow. Landslides and avalanches are also a real possibility, so keep an eye on the weather forecast! Seriously, a 4x4 vehicle is a MUST. But trust me, the views are worth the effort. You'll be cruising along the Great Divide, surrounded by incredible scenery and remnants of Colorado's old mining days. Plus, you'll get killer views of Grey's and Torrey's Peaks, two of Colorado's most popular "14ers." Feeling a little intimidated? No worries! There are plenty of places to pull over and soak in the views if you decide you've had enough.

Sawyers Bar Road: 12 miles of snake track using 1st gear in Californiahard

Sawyers Bar Road: 12 miles of snake track using 1st gear in California

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

California's Klamath National Forest is home to Sawyers Bar Road, and trust me, this is one ride you won't forget. Picture this: a 3,713-foot descent crammed into just 12 miles of twisting road. Seriously, you'll be hugging those turns in 1st gear, and your brakes? Well, they'll be getting a serious workout! This epic 39.8-mile stretch winds from Forks of Salmon, right where the north and south forks of the Salmon River meet, all the way to Etna, nestled in the scenic Scott Valley. You'll even cruise through Sawyers Bar, a charming, historic mining town founded way back in 1850. Give yourself around 1.5 hours for this adventure. The real fun begins after Etna Summit (elevation 5,960 feet), heading towards Sawyers Bar (2,247 feet). You'll start with a pretty straight climb, but once you conquer the summit, get ready for a winding, narrower, and oh-so-pretty descent. Parts of the road are seriously steep, with grades hitting 18%! Expect slow and steady progress, think 10-15 mph, on this rugged, mostly single-lane road. This is a remote area, so fill up your tank and pack some snacks, because services are scarce. Summer afternoons can be scorching, so be prepared! And definitely honk your horn around those blind curves. This route isn't ideal for large RVs, trailers, or inexperienced mountain drivers. The scenery is incredible, though! Expect dramatic shifts in landscape. You'll climb to a peak of 5,994 feet above sea level at Etna Summit, hugging the North Fork of the Salmon River as it twists and narrows. Be prepared for a serious drop-off to the left in places – we're talking 500 feet straight down! The road often hugs the hillside, with the mountain on one side and that steep drop to the river below on the other. Keep an eye out for markers indicating areas where the road is eroding. Occasional rock slides are also possible.

Mount Owenhard

Mount Owen

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, picture this: you're in Colorado, heart of the Rockies, Gunnison County to be exact. You're itching for an adventure, right? Well, point your rig towards Mount Owen in the Ruby Range. This peak sits at a cool 11,620 feet, and getting there? It's a *trip*. The road's a real old mining track, so expect gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bump and tippy action. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 for this one. If you're not comfortable on unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this. But if you're an experienced wheeler looking for a challenge, this is your jam. Heads up though, this road is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. But when it's open? The views are insane. You'll be smack-dab in the Gunnison National Forest, surrounded by some of the most epic scenery Colorado has to offer. Trust me, the climb is worth it.

Where is Swamp Lake?hard

Where is Swamp Lake?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, picture this: You're in Central California, deep in the Sierra National Forest, itching for an off-road adventure. Swamp Lake is calling your name, sitting pretty at 9,609 feet! But let me tell you, getting there is no Sunday drive. This isn't your average trail; it's seriously steep and rocky, with boulders that seem determined to stop you. One wrong move, and you could be in trouble. You'll be crawling over obstacles and tackling some hair-raising climbs. To get there, you'll start from Highway 168 near Shaver Lake, wind your way through Dinkey Creek Road, McKinley Grove Road, and then hit Big Fir Road. Keep an eye out for those logging road signs, but don't get complacent; it quickly turns into a proper 4x4 trail. We're talking modified vehicles with serious ground clearance and at least one diff locker recommended. And forget about winter; this road is snowed under most of the season. But here's the payoff: gorgeous scenery, epic views of the surrounding lakes, meadows, and peaks. Plus, you'll find excellent fishing spots along the way. Even better, you'll likely have the place almost to yourself, even on holidays. This trek is not for the faint of heart, but the views? Totally worth it.