What are the highest roads in California?
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,962 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, California dreamin' takes a turn off the Pacific Coast Highway! Forget the beaches for a minute, because the *real* adventure is hidden in the eastern half of the state. We're talking sky-high Sierra Nevada mountains, peaking at over 13,000 feet.
Picture this: insane climbs, thin air, and roads that demand your full attention. Winter? Expect snow, and lots of it. These aren't just roads; they're thrilling adventures that'll take you to some of the most breathtaking and memorable views in the entire state. It's a wild ride you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
What are the highest roads in California? is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.8362, -101.0842
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,962 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 38.8362, -101.0842
Related Roads in north-america
hardIs there a road up Mt. Whitney?
🇺🇸 Usa
Whitney Portal Road is a short but spectacular drive that takes you about halfway up Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, in Inyo County, in the US state of California. Is there a road up Mt. Whitney? Tucked away in the eastern central part of California, the road is 19.31km (12 miles) long, starting at Lone Pine. It’s totally paved. The road connects Lone Pine to Whitney Portal (the Whitney Portal Store is at the Portal, and the store is open in the summer). Is the road to Whitney Portal open? Set high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Whitney Portal Road usually opens sometime in early May, with the first major winter storm shutting it down sometime in November, meaning it is not maintained or cleared of snow. However, it is not physically barred, and climbers routinely drive as far as conditions will allow. The road is not gated or otherwise physically blocked; call the Inyo National Forest for information. Weather and road conditions can change in an instant. Can you see Mount Whitney from the road? The road ends at 2,557m (8,389ft) above sea level at Whitney Portal, where there is a close view of Mount Whitney. When was Whitney Portal Road in California built? The road to the summit was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. How long does it take to drive Whitney Portal Road in California? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 25 and 35 minutes. The drive features sweeping views. It twists and turns through an otherworldly landscape known as the Alabama Hills, a set of bizarrely constructed rock piles, before setting on a fairly straight shot for the foothills of Mount Whitney. Alabama Hills are the scene of literally hundreds of cowboy films, but the road has a film history, too. The steep, sharp switchbacks along the Whitney Portal Road were prominent in scenes in the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz film "The Long, Long Trailer," in which Lucy surreptitiously fills a travel trailer with her rock collection until it’s too heavy to ascend the grade. The road is also featured in the 1941 classic, "High Sierra," starring Humphrey Bogart. The vistas change dramatically as you draw closer to the mountains, seeming more and more massive until suddenly they overwhelm you, and you're a part of them, looking back down on the road, the hills, and the Owens Valley. In other words, there's plenty of time to think about what you're getting yourself into. Is Whitney Portal Road in California challenging? This route is paved but narrow, steep, and winding with dramatic switchbacks. There is a risk of rock slides on the way up. It’s very steep, with some 14% gradients. It is a great and difficult climb out of the high desert up towards Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48. The road has some narrow parts and blind corners. Like most eastern Sierra ascents, this one starts out tame and ends up tough. The grade generally increases as you climb so that a five-mile stretch in the 2nd half averages 9%. The hill lets up just before the finish at Whitney Portal and a parking/hiking area (trailhead to Mt. Whitney). Whitney Portal is also very similar to the famed French climb of The narrow road to Schofield Pass in Colorado is for experienced drivers only The creepy story of Sensabaugh Tunnel in Tennessee Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeForest Road 0169
🇺🇸 Usa
Forest Road 0169 is a high mountain road located in Sanpete County is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah running entirely over 2.800m above the sea level. Located in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the road is gravel, rocky and treacherous in parts. It’s 7.24km (4.5 miles) long. 4wd vehicle required. Only travel on this road when it is dry. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor at any time of year. The road is impassable from October to June. Its highest elevation is at 3.301m (10,830ft) above the sea level. What Are the Best Ways to Recover Cash from a Damaged Car on US Roads? Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardDriving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you’re in Colfax County, New Mexico, and craving a seriously epic drive, you NEED to check out Baldy Mountain (also called Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy by the locals). At a whopping 12,185 feet, this peak delivers views that’ll make your jaw drop. This isn't your average Sunday drive though; this 7.95-mile unpaved road used to be an old mining route, so keep an eye out for relics of the past! Starting near Elizabethtown, off NM-38, you'll climb over 3,500 feet. That means an average grade of over 8%, and hold on tight, because there are 17 hairpin turns to conquer! A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST for this trek. Speaking of treks, don’t even THINK about attempting this during the winter – the snow is no joke, and the road often stays closed well into July. Summer brings its own challenges, too. Monsoon season can unleash some serious rain, hail, and lightning. But if you brave it, the views are absolutely worth it!
moderateHow long is U-153?
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for a seriously scenic drive on Utah's State Route 153, connecting Beaver and Piute counties! Nestled way up high in the Fishlake National Forest, this 40.5-mile gem of a road peaks at a cool 10,242 feet above sea level. The first 21 miles, known as Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway, are paved and smooth sailing, perfect for all vehicles as you climb east from Beaver towards the Tushar Mountain Range, topping out around 9,200 feet near Puffer's Lake. You'll find awesome camping, hiking, and some of the best hunting in Utah along the way. Keep in mind, though, from November to March, snow tires or chains are a must due to the heavy snow. And after the Puffer's Lake turn-off, the adventure really begins! The next 15 miles wind across the Tushar Mountains to Junction. This stretch is unpaved and only open in dry weather – so check conditions in Beaver before you go. It's not recommended for trailers and can get impassable when wet. Finally, the last 5 miles into Junction are paved again. Allow around 1.2 to 1.5 hours to drive the whole thing without stops. This byway is a relatively undiscovered gem, without tons of traffic.