Where is Christmas Tree Pass?
Usa, north-america
26.23 km
1,210 m
moderate
Year-round
Christmas Tree Pass is a super cool mountain pass chilling at almost 4,000 feet in Nevada's Clark County. You'll find it in the southern part of the state, not far from Arizona and California.
So, why "Christmas Tree Pass?" Well, legend has it there's a tree along the way decked out with Christmas ornaments!
The road, Christmas Tree Pass Road (NPS Road 20), is all unpaved gravel, stretching for about 16 miles. It'll take you from just outside Laughlin, right off NV Highway 163, to the little town of Searchlight on US Highway 93.
The road cuts through the Newberry Mountains, and while mostly in good shape, there are some steep and rough spots, especially on the eastern side right below the pass. A high-clearance vehicle can be helpful for those occasional deep ruts, but careful driving can usually get a passenger car through. Just watch out for soft, sandy spots and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes!
The views are incredible! You'll be cruising through the Nevada desert with amazing mountain scenery. You'll start on the desert floor and then gently climb into the mountains. This is a drive for the journey, with lots of hiking and rock-scrambling spots.
Make sure you stop at Grapevine Canyon! You can clamber on granite boulders and check out a crazy amount of ancient rock art.
Give yourself about an hour to drive the whole thing without stopping. This scenic drive goes through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and takes you to a huge petroglyph site in Grapevine Canyon. The road winds through a desert landscape that's important to many Native American tribes. Get ready for awesome desert and mountain views as you drive between wilderness areas.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 26.23 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,210 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
easyHow did they build the Overseas Highway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: the Overseas Highway, the southernmost stretch of U.S. 1, is basically a ticket to paradise in the Florida Keys! Forget your mainland worries and prepare to island hop across countless little coral and limestone keys. They even call it "the Highway that Goes to Sea," and trust me, that's no exaggeration. You're cruising over the water for miles, soaking up unbelievable scenery, and if you time it right, epic sunrises or sunsets that'll make your jaw drop. So how did this marvel come to be? It all started with Henry Flagler's railway in the early 1900s. But a hurricane wiped out a huge chunk in 1935. They rebuilt, but this time, they turned it into a highway instead! And some of the original railway spans were incorporated into the roadway you see today. The Seven Mile Bridge is the star of the show. It’s nearly 7 miles long and a truly breathtaking experience. Now, I'm not gonna lie, the Overseas Highway can be a little nerve-wracking for some, especially if you're not a fan of long bridges. While it's generally safe now, you'll want to stay mindful of road conditions. The Florida Keys also get hit by hurricanes, but the bridge is sturdy. The whole stretch from Key Largo to Key West is about 113 miles, zig-zagging across 42 bridges. With traffic, budget around two hours each way. It's one of the best coastal drives on Earth. And it has movie-star status too! That Seven Mile Bridge? It's been featured in 2 Fast 2 Furious, Mission Impossible III, and even a James Bond flick (License to Kill). Make sure you have your camera ready. The sunsets are legendary. Seriously, when that giant sun dips into the ocean, the sky explodes with pinks, oranges, and purples. Sunrises? Equally stunning. This highway is popular. The Florida Keys are a prime tourist destination. Be aware of traffic congestion. But when you're surrounded by shimmering turquoise waters, swaying palms, and a horizon-to-horizon blue sky, even a little traffic jam doesn't seem so bad. Just drive cautiously, soak it all in, and enjoy the ride!
extremeWhat’s the Old Cascade Tunnel?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for a seriously spooky spot! Just east of Everett, Washington, in King County, lurks the Old Cascade Tunnel. We're talking major creep factor. This abandoned Great Northern Railway tunnel, hidden away in the Cascades, was built way back in 1900 to ditch some gnarly switchbacks. Clocking in at 2.6 miles long with a 1.7% grade, this tunnel, also known as the Stevens Pass Tunnel, is NOT your average scenic route. Forget exploring! This place is collapsing and seriously unstable. I'm talking major cave-in potential. A huge failure occurred in 2006, creating a debris dam and a creepy little lake inside. The lining is cracked, and another collapse could happen any minute. Seriously, DO NOT ENTER. They've built a safe viewpoint at the west end so you can peek, but that's it. Oh, and did I mention it's supposedly haunted? Legend says the ghosts of the 1910 Wellington avalanche, which tragically killed 96 people, still roam these tunnels. So, you know, extra spooky vibes.
hardIs the Road to Inspiration Point in Utah Unpaved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're in Box Elder County, Utah and itching for an adventure? Let me tell you about Inspiration Point! This peak sits way up high at 9,412 feet, and getting there is half the fun (and a little bit of a challenge). The road, Willard Peak Road, is a 14-mile dirt track starting from Mantua, and honestly? It's rough. Think bumpy, rocky, and dusty – seriously, leave your sports car at home. You absolutely need a 4x4 – a truck or Jeep is your best bet. You'll be crawling along at 5-15 mph, carefully picking your way around rocks. Oh, and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes! The road climbs 4,200 feet, so it’s about a 5.5% grade. The road's usually open from July to the end of October, thanks to the snow. And heads up – this spot's popular! Expect crowds, especially during the summer and in October. But trust me, it's all worth it. The views from the top are unreal. You can see everything from Salt Lake City to the Wasatch Front, Huntsville, and into Cache Valley. On a clear day, they say you can even spot Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming! Plus, you can explore some cool old mines nearby, like the Eldorado Mine below Willard Peak.
extremeDare to Drive Cuesta de los Arrepentidos to Real de Catorce in Mexico
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: You're in San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico, about to embark on a real adventure to Real de Catorce, an almost 9,000-foot-high ghost town. Your chariot? It *has* to be a 4x4 because you're about to tackle Cuesta de los Arrepentidos, or Repentant's Slope. For nearly 7 miles, this wild, unpaved track snakes through the northern part of the state across the Sierra de Catorce range. It's a historical route, dating back to 1778, and until the tunnel was built, it was the *only* way in. You'll pass abandoned mines, ghost towns, defunct train stations, and the seemingly endless Wirikuta desert. The views? Incredible. The experience? Absolutely unforgettable – if you can handle it. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. We're talking brutally steep climbs, a seriously narrow path, and nerve-wracking drop-offs into a canyon and dry riverbed. Leave the motorcycles and bikes at home. Highlights? The aptly named Paso del Diablo (Devil's Pass) and the eerie Socavón de la PurÃsima (Immaculate Conception’s Sinkhole) are the stuff of legends. Most folks come in from the east, taking a 17-mile cobblestone stretch off Highway 62. Then there's the Túnel Ogarrio – a long, dark tunnel that takes you right into town. It’s almost a mile and a half long and one-lane only, so hope no one's coming the other way! Legend has it there used to be a phone at the entrance to check for traffic but no one seems to use it anymore. Get ready for the ride of your life!