
Where does Bodie Masonic Road start and end?
Usa, north-america
40.39 km
2,831 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Bodie Masonic Road, straddling the California-Nevada border in the eastern Sierra Nevada. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! We're talking about one of California's highest roads, hitting a whopping 9,288 feet above sea level.
This incredible unpaved trail winds through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, cutting through Mineral and Lyon Counties in Nevada, and Mono County in California. The whole shebang stretches for about 25 miles (40 km) via NF-028, NF-046 and NF-169, a north-south route from NV-338 to CA-270 (Bodie Road), taking you to Bodie, that awesome abandoned gold-mining town.
Heads up, this is a remote adventure! Cell service is pretty much non-existent. The old-timers called it the Geiger Grade, and you might have to splash through a stream or two. A stock SUV with 4-wheel drive is your best bet. Keep in mind the elevation and isolation – it adds to the thrill, but be prepared!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 40.39 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,831 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeHow long is Shelf Road in Colorado?
🇺🇸 Usa
Shelf Road is an adventurous and rugged mountain drive spanning Fremont and Teller counties in the US state of Colorado. This is a great drive if you're brave and trust the person behind the wheel. If you don't like steep extreme drop-offs, don't take the road. It's very narrow in some spots, and two vehicles can't go through. How long is Shelf Road in Colorado? This narrow mountain road is 21.4 km (13.3 miles) long, running south-north from the city of Cañon City (in Fremont County), where it begins, to 21.7 km (13.5 miles) north of Cañon City, where it changes from Fremont County Highway 9 (Garden Park Road) to Shelf Road, to the city of Cripple Creek (in Teller County). The road is mostly unpaved and pretty steep. It climbs from 1,902 m (6,240 ft) above sea level to 2,863 m (9,393 ft) above sea level. The elevation gain is 961 m, and the average gradient is 3.80%. It is part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway Is Shelf Road dangerous? Most vehicles should not have any issues from its start to its finish. However, if the road is wet or snowy, it could give any vehicle some trouble, and vehicles with all-wheel drive are probably best. It has great views but is a little scary in parts, especially when there is oncoming traffic. It’s a one-lane, two-way dirt road on the side of a cliff with blind corners. It's a dirt road that's often narrow and at times clings to the side of a hill, with very little room to spare. It’s a two-way road that is just over a single vehicle wide in many places. You’ll be close enough to shake hands with the other driver. The road is carved along the side of a cliff that is supposed to fit two lanes, but really only fits one. It is used by employees of the Cripple Creek gold mine (the large light-colored area on the satellite view below) who use Shelf Road to commute twice each day, are very familiar with it, so they travel it much faster than you’d consider safe! They can appear very quickly around any sharp turn. The really bad, scary 'shelf' part is the first three or four miles of Shelf Road coming from Canon City heading north toward Cripple Creek where it is the steepest and narrowest. When you are going this way, the passenger will be on the cliff side of the shelf looking down. Nervous passengers feel more comfortable when traveling south, as they will be on the wall side, and the driver will be on the cliff side. Check status before you go as roads sometimes close due to washouts or accidents. When was Shelf Road in Colorado built? The road was built in 1892 as a toll road, offers scenic views, and is good for all skill levels. Originally, it was a stagecoach route that delivered goods to and from Cripple Creek and Canon City. The road gets its name because it’s carved out of the canyon wall and goes up more than 100 feet in some places. Is Shelf Road in Colorado scenic? he road and the scenery it offers can be pretty spectacular given the steep pitch of the surrounding cliffs, with lots of hairpin turns as the road ascends, hugging the side of the mountain crossing over limestone cliffs with twists and turns through the area. Sightseeing is better left to passengers as the driver must concentrate on staying on the road and avoiding other vehicles. What's the high-speed pursuit of Shelf Road? Shelf Road was once the scene of a "high-speed" pursuit. At 9:30 pm on November 1, 2020, an armed fugitive from justice with five felony warrants led local city police from three cities and Sheriff’s deputies from two counties on a high-speed chase from Cañon City north through Cripple Creek by way of Shelf Road. One can only imagine the frantic, reckless drive up Shelf Road of one car followed by the many flashing red and blue lights that illuminated the dark along with the screaming sirens echoing off the steep canyon walls along the way. The fugitive fired at deputies and officers as he fled, crashed his car, evaded police on foot, and was apprehended the next day in an abandoned cabin. Just days after being sentenced to 34 years in prison he escaped the Teller County jail, and a manhunt captured him again four days later. Now he is part of the local folklore of Shelf Road. Road suggested by: Catrìona M. MacKirnan Driving the scenic Saddle Road in Hawaii Dare to drive the Yankee Boy Basin Road in Colorado 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.
extremeWhat are the most dangerous and technical canyon roads in Malibu?
🇺🇸 Usa
# Hidden Gems: The Wild Canyon Roads of Malibu Sure, Malibu's famous for its celebrity mansions and pristine beaches, but venture inland and you'll discover something way more thrilling—a network of stomach-dropping canyon roads carved through the Santa Monica Mountains. We're talking extreme grades, hairpin turns that'll make your knuckles white, and views so stunning they almost make you forget you're driving on the edge of a cliff. Ready to explore? Here are seven of the most technical (and jaw-dropping) drives in this corner of paradise. **Tuna Canyon Road** is the one everyone talks about—and for good reason. This infamous one-way downhill plunge hits gradients up to 18%, twisting through dense woods before revealing those iconic Pacific views. Narrow lanes and zero guardrails keep things exciting, though the road's checkered history of high-speed accidents serves as a sobering reminder to take it seriously. Photographers camp out here for the golden-hour light filtering through the trees. **Corral Canyon Road** hugs the coastline with killer views and knuckle-bending curves. This 5-mile stretch is narrow, winding, and definitely not for anyone prone to car sickness. Navigate it at night? Only if you're feeling particularly brave. **Latigo Canyon Road** is the ultimate technical challenge—over 10 miles of relentless switchbacks and blind corners with an average 7% grade. About 1.5 miles in, there's a pullout with a view so perfect it belongs on a postcard. Bring your camera and plenty of patience. **Encinal Canyon Road** packs a serious punch into just over 5 miles. Rising from the coast through Charmlee Wilderness Park at a punchy 5.5% gradient, it rewards you with some of the best coastal vistas around. Watch out for rockslides—this road likes to remind you who's boss. **Decker Canyon Road** is the 4.7-mile wild card south of Thousand Oaks. Hairpin after hairpin snakes through the mountains with barely a guardrail in sight. The views are stunning, but this one demands respect. **Yerba Buena Road** stretches 11.3 miles through dense forest with grades hitting 11%. It's beautiful and moody, but keep an eye on closure alerts—landslides here aren't uncommon. Watch for loose rocks and sand around every bend. **Deer Creek Road** finishes strong with a relentless 12% climb and spectacular Pacific overlooks, especially from the Deer Creek Ocean Overlook. Limited guardrails and sharp turns mean this thrilling route requires full concentration and nerves of steel.
hardTeton Park Road is one of the most sensational drives of Wyoming
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising Teton Park Road is like driving through a postcard! This 20-mile paved beauty snakes along the base of the Tetons in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, and it's basically a non-stop photo op. You'll want to budget at least 30-60 minutes to soak it all in, but that's *without* stopping – and trust me, you'll want to stop. Keep your eyes peeled though! This is prime wildlife territory. Elk, bison, and mule deer love to wander, especially at night, and moose use the roads like their own personal highways. Slow down, especially after dark, and use the pull-offs to safely admire the scenery and any furry friends you spot. Heads up: Mother Nature calls the shots here. The road closes seasonally from November 1st to April 30th between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge due to heavy snow. Expect jaw-dropping vistas, deep canyons, and lush forests. Plus, you can easily hop onto the Signal Mountain or Jenny Lake Scenic Loops for even more adventure. Seriously, the mountains are so stunning you might forget you're driving! Get ready for a nature experience you won't soon forget.
moderateWhere is Mount Graham in Arizona?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Mount Graham in Arizona! This beast of a peak punches way up to 10,472 feet, making it one of Arizona's highest drives. You'll find it northeast of Tucson, tucked inside the Coronado National Forest. The road, officially Mt. Graham International Observatory Road (4567), leads right up to the Mount Graham International Observatory, built back in '93. Now, here's the thing: this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a completely unpaved route – SUV territory for sure! The road is gated and closed between November 15th and April 15th, and access to the very top has been restricted since the late 80s. But if you're up for a challenge, this climb is worth it. Starting from the paved AZ-366, the unpaved section is only about 2 miles, but those miles pack a serious punch! Get ready for seven hairpin turns and a hefty elevation gain of 270 meters, giving you an average gradient of over 8%. It’s steep! But imagine the views from that height. The scenery on this mountain is truly incredible. Just be prepared for a rugged ride!