Where is Bursum Road?
Usa, north-america
111.68 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Bursum Road! This baby's nestled in western New Mexico, practically spitting distance from the Arizona border, and winds through the Gila National Forest. You'll even cruise through the old mining town of Mogollon, which is super cool. Plus, it's your gateway to all sorts of outdoorsy adventures!
So, how long are we talking? About 69 miles of State Highway goodness. It's a sweet shortcut to... well, adventure! Just a heads up — past Mogollon, things get a little wild.
The pavement ends and you're onto a rough, single-lane dirt road as you climb higher. Usually, it's pretty manageable in good weather, but after a rainstorm? Forget about it! It can get seriously muddy and even be totally impassable. Keep an eye on the skies!
Oh, and did I mention it's HIGH? We're talking mountain roads here, entirely over 7,000 feet, topping out at a breathtaking 9,200 feet above sea level. Translation: this road is usually closed during winter. Think ice, snow, and not-so-fun driving conditions.
But hey, when it's open? The views are totally worth it! Just be prepared for a little bit of off-road fun. Happy travels!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 111.68 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateA Memorable Road Trip to Bow Summit in the Canadian Rockies
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Bow Summit in Alberta is a MUST-SEE, clocking in at 2,098m (6,883ft) and boasting some of the highest drivable views in Canada. You'll find it nestled in Banff National Park, practically waving hello to British Columbia. The payoff? A parking lot with ridiculously gorgeous views of Peyto Lake. The road itself? A quick and sweet 1.1km (0.68 miles) paved jaunt off the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North), Canada's highest national park road. You'll climb to a max elevation of 2,110m (6,922ft). Keep in mind, this baby's tucked high in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies, so plan your trip for summer. Snow can linger well into June, sometimes even July!
moderateBobcat Pass is a high mountain road in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Bobcat Pass! This beauty sits way up high in New Mexico's Carson National Forest, at a cool 9,826 feet. You'll find it straddling the Taos and Colfax County line in northern New Mexico — keep your eyes peeled for the bobcats that gave the pass its name! NM-38, a fully paved road, is your path to the summit. Clocking in at just over 29 miles, it connects the towns of Questa and Eagle Nest with some serious elevation changes. Prepare for a bit of a climb! The road gets steep in sections, with gradients hitting 10%. Coming from Questa, you’ve got almost 18.5 miles to ascend, gaining a whopping 3,600 feet. The average grade is around 3.7%, but there's a tough 4-mile stretch leading up to the pass (the first couple miles from Red River will really get your heart pumping). But, hey, what goes up must come down, right? Reward yourself with a stunning 13-mile cruise downhill into Eagle Nest through the Moreno Valley. It's mostly downhill, and the views are incredible!
hardA great trip to the top of Ophir Pass in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, tackling Ophir Pass. This baby tops out at almost 11,800 feet! You'll find it in San Miguel County. It's basically Forest Road #630, also known as Ophir Pass Road. This 10-mile stretch connects CO-145 with the legendary US-550 (Million Dollar Highway) north of Silverton, winding its way through the old mining town of Ophir. You can usually hit it up between June and November, but Mother Nature calls the shots here. Snow can shut things down anytime. Even in June, expect some serious snowdrifts at the top. Afternoon storms are the norm, so be prepared! Most of the road is pretty chill, but there are a few tight spots and some bumpy sections. There's this half-mile stretch on the Ophir side that can get tricky when passing other cars. Just a heads up: uphill traffic should let downhill traffic have the right of way. Oh, and if you're not a fan of heights, the drop-offs might make you sweat a little. While you *could* technically do it without 4WD, I'd HIGHLY recommend a 4x4 with good clearance. Trust me, you'll be happier. Note that unlicensed OHVs are restricted within the Town of Ophir and on Forest Road #630 heading west towards State Highway 145. Give yourself about an hour to soak it all in. You'll be rewarded with insane views of Ophir Valley and the surrounding peaks. This pass is often combined with Black Bear Pass or Imogene Pass for an epic loop adventure!
hardWhere is Mountain Springs Summit?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through the Mojave Desert? You've gotta check out Mountain Springs Summit! This pass, sitting pretty at 2,770 feet in San Bernardino County, California, gives you classic desert vibes near Goffs. The road? Smooth sailing all the way on Interstate 40, a major highway that used to be part of the iconic Route 66. Just be ready to share the road with plenty of trucks! This stretch clocks in at about 34.4 miles, taking you from Fenner to Needles, not too far from the Arizona border. Get ready for some wide-open scenery as you eat up the miles in this arid landscape!