
Where is Boriana Mine?
Usa, north-america
24.46 km
1,711 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're itching for an off-road adventure? Let me tell you about the Boriana Mine Road in Arizona's Mohave County! Picture this: you're east of Yucca, ready to climb up to 5,613 feet above sea level.
This isn't your Sunday drive. Boriana Mine Road clocks in at around 15.2 miles of pure, unadulterated unpaved fun. It begins with gravel, lulling you into a false sense of security before it morphs into a narrow, rocky shelf road that will test your driving skills.
You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle and four-wheel drive is a must. Some spots are really steep, like, up to a 17% gradient! Plus, you're gaining over 3,600 feet in elevation, so get ready for some serious climbs. And the views? Epic!
Keep an eye on the weather. This road isn't friendly in snow or ice. Summer heat can also be brutal. Monsoon season can bring washouts and new rockfalls.
But if you're prepared, Boriana Mine Road is an unforgettable adventure. Just remember, it's a relic of a tungsten mining operation that operated between 1915 and 1980, with its heyday from 1915 to 1918 when it was vital to the World War I effort. It was Arizona's biggest tungsten mine. The main output was tungsten but it also produced copper and gold.
As with any abandoned mine, watch your step!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 24.46 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,711 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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