When was the road to Darland Mountain built?
Usa, north-america
51.33 km
2,129 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Yakima County, Washington, itching for an adventure. I've got just the thing – Darland Mountain! This beauty clocks in at a whopping 6,984 feet, making it one of Washington's highest roads.
The first road here was built in the roaring twenties, and there was even a lookout tower until '66. To get to the summit, you've got two options: a 31.9-mile trek from Rimrock or a 39-mile haul from Union Gap. Either way, get ready for an off-road experience!
This isn't your typical Sunday drive; the entire road is unpaved. It’s mostly smooth sailing, but the last few miles are seriously rocky, so a 4x4 is a must. You'll want to grab a Forest Service map before you go, too.
Keep in mind, Darland Mountain plays hard to get. This road is usually snowed in from October to June. Word on the street is that it's the highest point you can reach by car in Yakima County, so you know the views are gonna be epic.
And trust me, they are! You'll be treated to killer views and some of the best panoramas of the Cascade Range. It's a photographer's dream! On a clear day, you can spot Darland Mountain, plus Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Goat Rocks, and the Yakima Valley all in one glance! They say on a really clear day, you can see the whole Cascade chain from Oregon to the Canadian border. Seriously, don't miss this one!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 51.33 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,129 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardMount Bachelor
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Mount Bachelor, a legit stratovolcano in central Oregon's Deschutes County, is calling your name! Towering at 8,074 feet, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Think rocky, gravelly, and steep – we're talking over a 30% grade in places! This is a chairlift access trail, so be prepared for some serious off-road vibes. The upper section gets even gnarlier with loose stones and bigger rocks. Oh, and did I mention the wind? It's relentless up here, blowing year-round. Even in summer, you might get a dusting of snow, and winter? Forget about it – brutally cold doesn't even begin to cover it. Your window of opportunity to tackle this beast is super narrow – think late August, if you're lucky. Seriously, if unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, steer clear. But, if you're a seasoned pro, the summit views are totally worth the adrenaline rush!
hardWhere is Wheeler Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in central Colorado, cruising between Alma and Breckenridge in the Pike National Forest. Granite peaks tower all around as you bounce along an unpaved road (Pv32 if you're looking for it). This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive! We're talking a seriously rough track with big, loose rocks that demand respect. This 3-mile trail climbs 1,220 feet from the west end of the Montgomery Reservoir, boasting an average grade of 7.73%, with some sections hitting a crazy 18.2% incline. You definitely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle the three main obstacles and multiple creek crossings. Trust me, leave the family sedan at home. This high-altitude alpine escape sits at a whopping 12,194 feet! But be warned, this gem is usually buried in snow from October to June, so aim for a summer adventure. Wheeler Lake is absolutely worth the effort if you're up for a challenge with views that'll blow your mind.
moderateOld Dale Road is an old mining road in Joshua Tree NP
🇺🇸 Usa
Ready for a wild ride? Old Dale Road in Joshua Tree National Park is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 25.9-mile off-road adventure through the park's eastern backcountry. Think old mining roads, dating back to the late 1800s, and scenery that'll make your jaw drop. Starting inside Joshua Tree, the trail cuts across Pinto Basin before climbing into the rugged Pinto Mountains, eventually connecting to Gold Crown Road and finally spitting you out onto California Route 62, about 15 miles east of Twentynine Palms. Now, let's be real: this is a *dirt* road. Most of it is graded, but be prepared for sharp rocks, deep sand, and some seriously tricky sections across the mountains. We're talking big, loose rocks and steep drop-offs, so a 4x4 with high clearance is a MUST. Heads up: you're going remote out here. No cell service, limited traffic, so bring a GPS and maybe a buddy in another vehicle. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to conquer the road non-stop. The best time to visit is October through May—trust me, you'll want to avoid the scorching summer heat. This road winds through both the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, so pack plenty of water and prepare for extreme temperatures!
hardWhere is Sitgreaves Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error. Where is Sitgreaves Pass? The pass is located between Kingman and Oatman, in the northwestern corner of Arizona, high in the Black Mountains. Why is it called Sitgreaves Pass? The pass was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. How long is Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona? The road to the summit is entirely paved. It’s called , part of Historic U.S. 66 W. The pass is 35.40km (22 miles) long, running from Oatman to Walnut Creek. The summit is about 3 miles west of Ed's Camp. Is the road to Sitgreaves Pass dangerous? The road is pretty narrow, very curvy, with lots of blind hairpin turns and no shoulders. It’s a fabulous drive if you are not scared of heights or of tumbling down a mountainside. In many places, there are only a few wooden fence posts and a piece of chain between you and the drop over the edge of the mountain. Make sure to look for the old cars off the road near the hairpin curves. This road is built like a bobsled run, with crazy switchbacks and steep drop-offs plunging thousands of feet down. It is slow going, with some of the winding sections slowing down to 20mph. The road is steep, hitting a 12% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. You'll be fine in normal vehicles, but larger RVs are going to have serious issues. Don’t take this road in bad weather, and do not attempt it after dark. Is the road to Sitgreaves Pass in AZ worth it? Plan about 45 minutes to complete the drive without any stops. However, the drive will take longer due to its beauty. Take your time; it's well worth the drive. There are plenty of pull-offs for you to get out and take pictures, so don't try to take pictures while you are driving. A lot of mining took place along the stretch of road between Oatman and Cool Springs. There are some historical buildings, or rather remains of historical buildings, along this route. A road trip to Lobdell Lake in California is truly epic Rim of the World is a Scenic Byway in Southern California 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.