
Via Beaver Basin
Usa, north-america
4.82 km
3,282 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna bag a peak in Utah? Head to Mount Waas, nestled in the Northern La Sal Mountains in Grand County. You've got two ways to get near the summit, both unpaved and requiring a 4WD high-clearance beast.
First up is the east side route – an old mining road that's seen better days. It's narrow, eroded, and might make you clench the steering wheel a bit. This bad boy tops out near the summit at a cool 10,767 feet, making it one of the highest drives in Utah!
Or, take the west side route: the oh-so-charming Miner's Basin Road. This 3-mile bumpy, rocky, loose-soil track also demands a 4WD high-clearance vehicle. Pray you don't meet anyone coming the other way! You’ll find a pond, parking, and even an outhouse in Miner's Basin. This route takes you to 9,960 feet.
Remember, these routes are best tackled in the summer. And keep an eye out for bears – they love this area as much as we do! Happy trails!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 4.82 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,282 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateAn epic enthralling road to Cortes Pass
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso de Cortés! This legendary pass sits way up high at 12,112 feet, straddling the line between Puebla and the State of Mexico. We're talking seriously high – one of the highest roads you'll find in Mexico! You'll find this beauty nestled in Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, chilling between the majestic Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl volcanoes, just southeast of the bustling Mexico City. The road itself, also called Tlamacaxco, is paved the whole way. Get ready for a twisty, uphill climb that's pretty darn steep, winding through forests of trees. It's about 27 miles from the town of Amecameca de Juárez (in Mexico State) on the west side, all the way to San Nicolás de Los Ranchos (in Puebla) on the east. Give yourself about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. Once you reach the top, there's a big parking lot, a bar (hello, celebratory drink!), and an info center. Plus, it’s the jumping-off point for a hike to Estación de Altura Altzomoni, a crazy-high weather station sitting pretty at 13,074 feet!
hardA marvelous scenic back country road to Zenobia Peak in CO
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the Northwest corner of Colorado, inside Dinosaur National Monument, lies Zenobia Peak. Trust me, it's worth the trek. We're talking about a summit sitting pretty at 9,006 feet! You'll be tackling Douglas Mountain Boulevard (aka County Road 60), and let me tell you, it's strictly a 4x4 affair. This unpaved track is rough, rocky, and definitely not for your average sedan. Forget about it in winter, it's not maintained! Starting from County Road 10, it’s a 14.1-mile climb with a hefty 2,230-foot elevation gain. Expect some seriously steep sections topping out at an 18% gradient! The road winds right to the top, though you might find a gate near the very end. Once you arrive you'll find a fire lookout tower built in 1964 and the views? Epic. You'll see the Uinta Mountains laid out before you, stretching as far as the eye can see. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
hardA memorable road trip to McKays Peak in AZ
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path thrill in Arizona, McKays Peak is calling your name. We're talking seriously high—9,163 feet above sea level in Navajo County, putting it up there with Arizona's tallest drives. You'll find it nestled in the Fort Apache-White Mountain Indian Reservation, and fair warning: this ain't a Sunday drive. The road to the top, where a cool fire lookout tower built way back in 1932 awaits, is mostly unpaved, so a 4x4 is a must. Starting from the AZ-260 (east of McNary), you've got about 12.6 miles of steep climbing ahead of you. Seriously steep! Be prepared for some sections hitting a 14% gradient. But hey, the views? Totally worth the white-knuckle ride!
hardIs the road to Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in UT paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're headed to Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in Utah? Sweet choice! Nestled high in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, this gem sits at a cool 7,736 feet. Now, listen up: the road in, Smith and Morehouse Road (Forest 033), is a rough and tumble dirt track, totally unpaved and riddled with holes and ruts. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must. Don't even think about trying it in your sedan! The road itself is just under 4 miles long, starting from the paved Weber Canyon Road. It's a pretty flat shot, and usually takes around 15-20 minutes to drive without stopping. Keep in mind this road is typically impassable in the winter. And hey, if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a minor gravel road (Forest Road 030) that climbs up to Shingle Mill Flat, a cool pyramid-shaped peak at almost 10,000 feet. But be warned: that road is brutally steep, and also requires a 4x4. You've been warned.