Where is Buffalo Boy Mine?

Where is Buffalo Boy Mine?

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,984 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride to Buffalo Boy Mine in southwestern Colorado's San Juan National Forest! This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking a serious 4x4 adventure!

Clocking in at a short but intense distance, this road climbs to a whopping 13,070 feet above sea level, making it one of Colorado's highest roads. The average gradient is over 11%, so expect a workout for your vehicle (and maybe your nerves!).

The road's unpaved and seriously rugged, demanding a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Get ready for some steep climbs, treacherous conditions, and a whole lotta tight switchbacks. One particular turn is a real heart-stopper – a sharp right with a serious drop-off!

The Buffalo Boy Mine itself is an underground mine that was worked for silver and other minerals. You can still see mine workings extending down the hill.

Heads up: This route is usually snowed in from late October until late June or early July. Plan your trip for the summer months for the best (and safest) experience!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,984 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is North La Veta Pass?moderate

Where is North La Veta Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because North La Veta Pass in Colorado is calling your name! Perched way up high at 9,413 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this beauty straddles Costilla and Huerfano counties in south-central Colorado. Forget white-knuckle gravel roads, this pass, also known as New La Veta Pass, is smooth sailing on good ol' U.S. Highway 160. Think of it as the chill alternative to the older, more challenging pass to the south. This is THE way to cruise through this part of the mountain range now. While the road is well-maintained and lacks crazy hairpin turns, remember you're carving through serious mountain territory! The views are stunning, but if you're not a fan of heights, maybe tackle this 48-mile stretch from Fort Garland to Walsenburg during the day. Those steep drop-offs can be a little intense!

A mining road to Rogers Passhard

A mining road to Rogers Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Rogers Pass in Colorado's Gilpin and Grand counties is calling your name. Perched way up at 11,919 feet, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement – we're talking rugged, unadulterated shelf road that'll make your palms sweat (in a good way!). This former mining route definitely isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking steep, rocky stretches above the treeline, so a high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute must. (Private vehicles closed though.) You'll find this beast in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, smack-dab in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. The 2.5-mile climb kicks off from Corona Pass Road (County Road 80), gaining a solid 800 feet in elevation – that's a roughly 6% average grade. Don't even think about tackling this one in winter; it's definitely not plowed. Be warned – it’s often chilly and windy up here, and snow can stick around well into July at this altitude. The reward? Jaw-dropping views of the cirque and shimmering lakes that will make it all worth it.

Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road closed permanently on April 2017hard

Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road closed permanently on April 2017

🇨🇦 Canada

Imagine driving across a frozen river and ocean! The Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road was a real thing in Canada's Northwest Territories, stretching 177km (109 miles) from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk. Talk about an off-the-beaten-path adventure! Part of the legendary Dempster Highway, this icy marvel was one of the world's most northern roads. For a few months each winter (December to March), when the Mackenzie River Delta froze solid, it transformed into a highway of ice. The rest of the year, Tuktoyaktuk was only accessible by plane or boat. While it was open, it was a vital supply route, servicing gas hydrate fields and remote outposts. Picture convoys of trucks hauling fuel, equipment, and supplies across the frozen landscape! The road wasn't for the faint of heart. The ice, though about 8 feet thick, was riddled with cracks and ridges. Inuvik's freezing temperatures, hovering between -7°C and -17°C during the day, made for an icy ride. Sadly, this iconic ice road closed for good on April 29, 2017. It was replaced by the all-weather Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway.

Where is Tassajara Road?extreme

Where is Tassajara Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to California's Pacific coast for a wild ride on Tassajara Road. Picture this: you're deep in Los Padres National Forest, cruising (carefully!) on this 17.1-mile stretch of unpaved glory. Starting from East Carmel Valley Road, you'll be winding north towards the legendary Tassajara Hot Springs, tucked away in the Carmel Valley. But hold on tight, this ain't your average Sunday drive! This road is a real challenge, climbing through some serious mountain terrain. We're talking one-lane corners, deep ruts that pop up throughout the year, and a peak elevation that'll make you feel like you're on top of the world. The last few miles down into Tassajara are known to be particularly gnarly. A high-clearance vehicle is practically a must-have here. And be warned: conditions change on a dime depending on the weather. Plus, there are no guardrails to save you, so take it slow, especially around those blind corners. Cell service? Forget about it! Avoid this road at night. Bonus for stargazers: just east of Tassajara Road, there's another long climb up to the Oliver Observing Station (MIRA), perched way up high. Apparently, the views are out of this world—literally!