When Was the Road to Nez Perce Pass Built?

When Was the Road to Nez Perce Pass Built?

Usa, north-america

Length

150 km

Elevation

2,012 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: straddling the Idaho-Montana border at a cool 6,601 feet, you'll find Nez Perce Pass. This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road, folks.

Built way back in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this 93.6-mile beauty stretches from W Fork Road in Idaho to Dixie Road in Montana. Expect a mix of paved and unpaved sections as you wind through the Bitterroot Mountains. They call it everything from Forest Road 468 to the Magruder Corridor Road, so keep your eyes peeled for signs!

Now, a word of caution: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Snow can shut it down anytime, and there's no plow service. Translation? Check conditions before you go. And with rugged terrain, you're looking at a leisurely 12-15 mph pace.

But trust me, the views are worth it! You'll be smack-dab between the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. At the summit, there's even a parking area (with a helicopter pad, just in case!). Oh, and get ready to jump an hour ahead — you're crossing into Mountain Time from Pacific Time! This drive isn't just a road trip; it's an adventure.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
150 km
Max Elevation
2,012 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Pastora Peak?hard

Where is Pastora Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: Pastora Peak, chilling way up high at 9,140 feet in Arizona's Apache County near the Four Corners, smack-dab on Navajo Nation land. Getting there? It's a 13.7-mile trek up Indian Route 5036 from US-160, gaining a massive 3,750 feet along the way. The road's a mixed bag, alright? Some parts are steep and rocky, others are surprisingly smooth. But listen up: high-clearance 4WD is your best friend here. Seriously, you'll need it. And a heads up: avoid this road like the plague if it's wet. There's this one super narrow, steep shelf section that turns into an ice rink when it's muddy. Plus, there are ruts galore from other people trying (and maybe failing) to get through the mud. Keep an eye out for the small wooden sign marking the start of the road – you can spot it easily from the highway!

Alta Lakesmoderate

Alta Lakes

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so picture this: You're in San Miguel County, Colorado, and you're itching for an adventure. I've got just the spot: Alta Lakes! We're talking three stunning alpine lakes perched way up high at 11,430 feet. Now, getting there isn't exactly a Sunday drive. Road 649 is a bit of a beast, all gravel and rocks, so definitely leave the low-rider at home. You're gonna want a 4x4 for this one. And forget about it in winter; it's a no-go. You'll find that a lot of people use this trail, but don't let that scare you away. Yeah, it's bumpy, but trust me, the views are insane. Once you reach the lakes, all that bouncing around will be a distant memory. This short trip is totally worth it for the scenery alone!

What’s the Pan-American Highway?extreme

What’s the Pan-American Highway?

🇺🇸 Usa

Ready for the ultimate road trip? The Pan-American Highway is calling your name! This epic route stretches about 19,000 miles (30,000 km) from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina, at the very tip of South America. Picture this: you'll cruise through 14 countries, experiencing the most diverse landscapes on the planet. Towering mountains, dense jungles, arid deserts, and even glaciers await! The highest point you'll reach is a staggering 11,322 feet (3,451m) above sea level. While you *can* drive the majority of the way, there's one notorious gap: the Darién Gap. This 60-mile (96 km) stretch of undeveloped swampland and rainforest between Panama and Colombia requires a ferry to bypass. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. Be prepared for high temperatures, potential landslides, steep drop-offs, and the occasional critter crossing. The wet season can make sections impassable, and extreme winters at the northern and southern ends are best avoided. It's also wise to be aware of local safety advisories regarding cartel activity. This adventure truly tests your driving skills!

Driving the wild San Isidro Canyon Roadmoderate

Driving the wild San Isidro Canyon Road

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Nuevo León, Mexico, and you stumble upon the Cañon de San Isidro. Seriously, charge your camera, because you're gonna want to document every single second of this road trip! The road itself is fully paved and stretches for about 36 km, connecting the little towns of Laguna de Sánchez and El Cercado. But it's not just any road – it's a thrilling ride that climbs up to about 1,927 meters above sea level, giving you crazy good views. Think dramatic contrasts between the sky and the massive mountains. Speaking of mountains, this road carves through a *deep* canyon, with walls towering 700-800 meters high on either side. Seriously, no photo can truly capture the sheer scale of it all! The road generally sits at about 1,450 meters, nestled within the canyon. Heads up though, this section can get a little dicey during the rainy season. The river runs right alongside the road, and it can swell up pretty quickly, becoming a potential hazard. Plus, keep an eye out for mudslides and falling rocks!