When was the Kern Canyon Road built?
Usa, north-america
64 km
2 m
extreme
Year-round
Cruising through California and craving a thrill? Kern Canyon Road (Highway 178) is calling your name! This 40-mile ribbon of asphalt stretches from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella in the Southern Sierra Nevada, and it's a wild ride.
Built way back in the day (think 1890s to 1924!) to help construct the Kern River #1 powerhouse, this road is now famous for its curves, narrow lanes, and those heart-stopping drop-offs right next to the Kern River. You'll be hugging the turns and white-knuckling it until you hit that sweet four-lane stretch halfway through the canyon.
Word of warning: this beauty can be a beast. Kern Canyon Road has a reputation, and not all of it is good. It's known for being dangerous, so stay sharp behind the wheel. Rock slides are a real possibility due to the canyon walls expanding and contracting with the weather.
But oh, the scenery! Think rocky cliffs, the dam-controlled Kern River glistening below, and vistas that'll make your jaw drop. Just keep your eyes on the road!
One last thing: the Kern River is gorgeous, but treat it with respect. Swimming here is seriously risky due to strong currents, cold water, and hidden dangers. Stay back from the edge, keep a close eye on kids, and never underestimate the power of the river.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 64 km
- Max Elevation
- 2 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
easyAn epic road to Mount Lemmon in Arizona
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Mount Lemmon Highway, Arizona's epic climb! Just 45 miles north of Tucson, this beauty winds its way up to a whopping 9,159 feet. It's a fave for cyclists, and honestly, anyone who loves a good road with incredible views. They call it the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive for a reason. Starting near Tucson, you'll be cruising for about 32.5 miles, gaining a massive 7,329 feet in elevation! Yeah, it gets steep – hitting a max grade of 10% in spots. That translates to an average gradient of 4.27%. Translation: prepare for some serious climbing! This isn't a straight shot, folks. Expect curves, twists, and turns that'll keep you on your toes. HUGE RVs and long trailers might struggle a bit. But trust me, the payoff is worth it. Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive, not counting all the stops you'll want to make. Why stops? Oh, just for the sweeping views, outlandish rock formations, and vistas that'll take your breath away. You'll find plenty of pull-offs to soak it all in. Heads up: winter can bring the white stuff – like, over 200 inches of snow annually! The peak is significantly cooler than down below, so be prepared for potential closures. But that snow also makes it a super popular escape, even if the road is only open partially. The road to the summit is generally open year round, but winter weather may cause temporary closures.
easyThe road to Montgomery Pass in Nevada: the world’s highest casino
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Nevada desert, heading towards Montgomery Pass, also known as Mt. Gomery. This baby sits at a cool 7,167 feet above sea level in Mineral County, and it's a proper hidden gem! It's part of US Route 6, a coast-to-coast beast that stretches over 3,652 miles, but this specific 40.5-mile section, winding from Coaldale, Nevada, to Benton, California (in Mono County), is where the magic happens. You're in the Inyo National Forest, so expect some stunning high desert and mountain scenery! The road itself? Paved and twisty, but mostly with these long, sweeping curves that let you soak it all in. Elevation changes are dramatic, adding to the fun! Traffic's usually pretty chill, but keep an eye out for wandering cattle. Oh, and heads up, there *was* a casino claiming to be the "world’s highest" near the pass, but sadly, it burned down. Looks like there used to be a whole little community with a restaurant, motel, and everything, but it's all closed up now. Still, the views and the drive are totally worth it!
hardWhere is Potosi Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Potosi Mountain in Nevada! This peak punches way up to 8,464 feet in Clark County, sitting pretty at the south end of the Spring Mountains, southwest of Vegas. Getting to the top is a serious adventure. We're talking Forest Road 509, a.k.a. Potosi Mountain Road. The unpaved climb is a beast, with super narrow sections and some major drop-offs. Seriously, check those brakes! A 2WD might make it to the base of the South Summit, but for the last few miles, you're gonna need 4x4 power. This isn't just a scenic route; it's a working road built to service the FM transmitters that blast tunes across Las Vegas. Starting from Pauline Mine Road, it's a 6-mile trek to the top with a whopping 3,733 feet of elevation gain. That's an average gradient of almost 12%, with ramps that hit a crazy 25-30%! Keep an eye out for old mines dotting the mountainside, and cool little shelter caves. The views from the top are unreal — the summit dominates the Las Vegas skyline. And remember your camera, this drive is packed with photo ops! But it's not all sunshine and vistas: back in 1942, a tragic plane crash here took the lives of 22 people, including Hollywood legend Carole Lombard. The crash site remains a somber reminder of the past.
easyTamarisk Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohave
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an easy off-road adventure near Lake Mohave in Nevada? Check out Tamarisk Road! This little 2.4-mile jaunt in Clark County runs parallel to the Lake Mead Powerline Road within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and offers a pretty cool escape. The road itself is mostly sandy and rocky, but nothing too crazy, so it's stock-friendly. I'd still recommend having a 4x4 and tires that can handle the sand, just to be safe. The elevation is relatively flat, so no crazy climbs here! Just remember to pack plenty of water and get ready for some beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Mohave. It's a super chill drive!