Where is Carson Pass?
Usa, north-america
22.53 km
2,619 m
moderate
Year-round
Hey fellow adventurers! Let's talk Carson Pass, an awesome high-altitude crossing sitting pretty at 8,592 feet in California's Alpine County.
You'll find this gem in eastern California, close to the Nevada border, chillin' within the El Dorado National Forest.
The road? Smooth sailing on fully paved California State Route 88, aka Carson Pass Highway.
The journey stretches for about 20 miles, cruising east to west from Alpine Village to Kirkwood, hugging the Sierra Nevada range. Word to the wise: the parking lot at the top gets packed on weekends, so plan accordingly!
This road usually stays open all winter, but Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball with snow, avalanches, or ice. Closures are rare, but keep an eye on the weather! Avalanche danger is the main concern, especially around Carson Spur (between Silver Lake and Kirkwood) and the eastern side of the pass. Apparently, there are over 20 avalanche chutes just waiting to dump snow on the road.
But honestly? The views are worth it. Think dramatic volcanic skylines, lush meadows, pristine mountain lakes, and rugged valleys. This drive is all about those photo ops! There are tons of places to pull over and soak it all in. Trust me, you won't want to miss it.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 22.53 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,619 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Leidy Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure awaits in northeastern Utah! You're heading to Leidy Peak, and let me tell you, it's a trek! We're talking a 24.63-mile (39.63 km) gravel road that climbs to a whopping 11,026 feet (3,361m). Seriously, this is one of Utah's highest roads! Getting there is half the fun. Just follow the main road, keep an eye out for the Hacking Lake sign, but instead of turning, stick to the right. This’ll lead you to the trailhead's start. Word of caution: this road is a no-go in winter. It's buried under snow and totally impassable. The sweet spot is late June/early July when it usually opens up, but don't dilly-dally; the road closes again with the first big snow, usually sometime between mid-September and mid-October. So time your visit right to experience those stunning Uintah Mountain Range views!
extremeHow challenging is Butte Valley Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a real off-the-beaten-path experience in Death Valley National Park, Butte Valley Road is calling your name! Situated in Inyo County, California, this bad boy is not for the faint of heart. We're talking a completely unpaved, seven-mile stretch of pure, rugged terrain nestled in the southwest part of the park. Think narrow, rocky, and steep, with some serious climbs reaching a peak elevation of 4,284 feet. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one! This wild ride leads to the legendary Geologist's Cabin (also known as the Stone Cabin) on Coyote Canyon Road. This historic cabin, built way back in the early 1900s, is a total gem, once used by geologists searching for mining opportunities. If you're planning to stop by, keep an eye out for hantavirus warnings and use your best judgment. But bottom line, Butte Valley Road is epic scenery, challenging driving, and a dose of history all rolled into one unforgettable Death Valley experience.
moderateWhere is Rollins Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Rollins Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.565m (11,696ft) above sea level in the U.S. state of Colorado. Where is Rollins Pass? The pass is located on the boundary between Gilpin, Boulder, and Grand counties in Colorado. It sits to the east of Winter Park on the Continental Divide at the crest of the Front Range southwest of Boulder. Can you drive Rollins Pass? The road to the summit, also known as Corona Pass, is totally unpaved with lots of holes and small to bigger rocks. It follows the path of an old railroad and is called County Road 80 (or Corona Pass Road). This road is not well maintained. A high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is required in the summer in good weather. The road starts a few miles outside the town of Rollinsville and comes to a dead end on the east side of Rollins Pass at the closed Needle Eye Tunnel, a short high altitude railroad tunnel. Is Rollins Pass open? Set high in the Southern Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado, the road to the summit, which was originally known as Boulder Pass, is usually impassable from November 15 through June 15 (depending on snow). How long is Rollins Pass? Starting at US-40, the road to the summit is 16.57km (10.3 miles) long. The drive is pretty steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 782 meters. The average gradient is 4.71%. When was the road to Rollins Pass in Colorado built? This historic road over the Continental Divide was the original Hill Route of the Denver, Northwestern, and Pacific Railway built by David H. Moffat in 1903. The first road through the pass was built in 1949. From 1955-1979, Rollins Pass served as a complete road over the mountain pass for automobiles until a rockfall in Needle's Eye tunnel in 1979 closed the path over the pass. In 1988, after several studies and structural strengthening of Needle's Eye was accomplished, the complete road was re-opened only to close permanently in 1990, after a rock fell from the ceiling injuring a Denver firefighter. Is Rollins Pass in Colorado worth it? The drive is worth it. It provides many scenic views of the lakes and the mountains in the area as well as access to the historical Needle Eye tunnel. The area is a popular recreational location for its spectacular views and wildflowers. A steep paved road to Tejon Pass in California Burr Trail is an unforgettable scenic drive in Utah 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.
extremeWalter's Wiggles in Utah: 21 short, very steep switchbacks
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in Zion National Park, Utah, ready for a legendary hike. You're about to tackle Walter's Wiggles, 21 incredibly tight switchbacks carved right into the cliff face on the way to Angel's Landing. This isn't just a walk in the park; it's a relentless climb that will test your legs and maybe your nerves. We're talking a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) trek to the viewpoint, and this section? It's pure zigzag madness! Each wiggle is only about 20-25 feet long, but those turns are what gets you up the seriously steep north face. The trail, built back in 1926, is a pedestrian-only path with chains to help you along the way. It’s an absolute marvel of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity. Heads up: while it's incredibly rewarding, this trail has seen its share of accidents over the years. But the views from the top? Absolutely worth the effort, offering some of the most breathtaking vistas in Zion. It’s named after Walter Ruesch, the park's first superintendent. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!