Where is Big Mountain Pass?

Where is Big Mountain Pass?

Usa, north-america

Length

43.45 km

Elevation

2,267 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Big Mountain Pass in Utah. This beauty sits high in the Wasatch Mountains, a whopping 7,437 feet above sea level, right on the border between Morgan and Salt Lake counties, just north of Salt Lake City.

Fun fact: this pass is part of the OG route the Mormon pioneers used back in '47 on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. These days, it's a fully paved road, called Utah State Route 65 – built back in '31!

The whole stretch is about 27 miles long, winding from the Lincoln Highway (I-80) near the Mountain Dell Dam all the way to Henefer, up in Summit County, near I-84. Heads up, though: this road is usually closed during the winter months due to all that lovely snow.

Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The summit has a parking area, a couple of communication towers, and views for days. The drive itself is super scenic, and near the top, you’ll find some spots to pull over and soak it all in. Trust me, you’ll want your camera ready!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
43.45 km
Max Elevation
2,267 m
Difficulty
easy

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