Where is Crane Mountain?
Usa, north-america
9.49 km
2,542 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Crane Mountain in south-central Oregon (smack dab near the California border) is calling your name! This beast tops out at 8,339 feet, and let me tell you, getting there is half the fun.
We're talking a 5.9-mile climb on NF-4011, starting from NF-3915 road. Sounds easy? Think again! This isn't your Sunday drive. We’re talking *unpaved* and *rough* – seriously rough. Expect some seriously steep sections and potholes that seem to swallow tires whole. High clearance and 4WD are mandatory, folks. Seriously, don't even think about it in your grandma's sedan.
The higher elevations of this road are usually snow-covered until July, and weather can be unpredictable, so check the forecast before you head out.
What awaits you at the top? The remains of an old fire lookout. But the *real* prize? Views for days! Enormous Goose Lake, Lakeview Valley, and a whole panorama of mountains and plains will stretch out before you. It's an absolute feast for the eyes!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.49 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,542 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Gibbons Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, folks, buckle up for Gibbons Pass! This stunner sits way up high in southwest Montana, right on the border between Beaverhead and Ravalli counties, chillin' within the Bitterroot National Forest. We're talking 6,975 feet above sea level, smack-dab on the North American Continental Divide. History buffs, listen up: Lewis and Clark took a piece of their return trip right through here. The road itself? It's the Bitterroot-Big Hole Road (Forest Road 106), and it's a wild one. Think steep, winding, and narrow... with not a whole lot of room to pull over. Definitely not the place for RVs or anything bigger than 25 feet, trailers, or cars that sit low to the ground. But the views? Absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive. Just take it slow and soak it all in!
hardCastle Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near Eagle County, Colorado, and you've got the itch for a serious off-road challenge, Castle Peak is calling your name. We're talking about a lung-busting climb to 11,036 feet above sea level, people! This isn't your Sunday drive, though. You'll be tackling 8511 E, a gravel road that's notorious for being rough and ready. Expect hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills and a super steep jeep trail that practically goes right over the summit. Trust me, you'll need a 4x4 beast for this one! The good news? You're generally good to go from June to October, when the snow's usually cleared. The not-so-good news? Even a little rain can turn this road into a slippery, loose-gravel nightmare. So, keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for anything. And remember, even in the summer months, mountain weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly! But the views? Totally worth it for experienced off-roaders!
easyHow long is the Silver Thread Byway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an unforgettable road trip on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado! This totally paved beauty stretches for 117 miles along Highway 149, winding through the Rio Grande National Forest and beyond. Starting near Gunnison at US-50, this route takes you all the way to South Fork, on US-160 in Rio Grande County, nestled within the stunning San Juan Mountain Range. You'll cruise through charming towns like Lake City, Creede, and South Fork. Good news, road trippers! This byway is maintained year-round, even in winter when snowplows keep it clear. Just be cautious of potentially tricky conditions during the snowy season. The road peaks at a lofty 11,574 feet above sea level, so be prepared for some serious altitude! While you could technically drive the whole thing in around 3 hours without stopping, trust me, you'll want to budget way more time. This route is packed with panoramic vistas, abundant wildlife (elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep!), and a fascinating history of Native Americans, early explorers, and Victorian mining. Prepare to be wowed! The Silver Thread Scenic Byway is a historical route boasting incredible beauty and outdoor adventures. Follow the path of old toll roads and stagecoach lines, and keep an eye out for those marked stopping points offering breathtaking views at every turn. As you go through the area, you will experience the colorful old mining and logging camps along the way offer a wealth of history, while the surrounding Wilderness and National Forest lands serve up a huge dose of scenic beauty. The heights around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible via rugged backcountry roads. You'll also witness sparkling North Clear Creek Falls, the intriguing Slumgullion earth slide, and the distinctive Uncompahgre Peak. Grab a Silver Thread Guide at the Lake City Visitor Center for even more insider tips!
moderateJones Pass in Colorado may be intimidating to novice drivers
🇺🇸 Usa
Jones Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.804m (12,480ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit has a relatively good road surface given its high altitude. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado. The pass is located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Grand counties, in the central part of Colorado, to the west of Denver. Tucked away in the beautiful Arapaho National Forest, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Jones Pass Road (Forest Road 202). It’s essentially a dirt road with some steep grades along the way. The road is narrow and steep and may be intimidating to novice drivers. The road travels above the tree line for several miles until it dead-ends after crossing the Continental Divide. It can be traversed by most vehicles in good conditions, but medium to high clearance is necessary in passing some of the route’s tougher sections. Although the route is not overly difficult, the winding turns and steep grades may be intimidating for inexperienced drivers. The switchbacks on the way up are easy and wide in most places. They are near the edge in many places, though, so it may challenge those with a fear of heights. The road is kept well maintained, though. Set high in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this road is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July. Vehicle access to the summit is typically limited to the late summer season. Starting just west of Berthoud Falls off Hwy 40, the road to the summit is 8.69km (5.4 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 795 meters. The average gradient is 9.14%. It climbs gradually to the top of the pass and descends steeply down the west side to a closed road. Plan about one hour to reach the summit from Highway 40, without any stops. However, the drive is pretty scenic and encompasses miles of stunning views. Along the road, drivers will catch many glimpses of Colorado’s mining history among the wildflowers and alpine views. There is room for parking at the summit of the pass. Pic: Nate Jensen Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.