Where is Crane Mountain?

Where is Crane Mountain?

Usa, north-america

Length

9.49 km

Elevation

2,542 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

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!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
9.49 km
Max Elevation
2,542 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Road Mexico 105 Metztitán Canyonhard

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Road Mexico 105 Metztitán Canyon

🇲🇽 Mexico

Get ready for an epic descent into the heart of Mexico's stunning desert! This stretch of Mexico 105 slices through a breathtaking landscape, think towering cacti and immense canyons that'll leave you speechless. We're talking a 600-meter drop into a canyon so vast you'll feel like you're on another planet. You'll start at a lofty 1,910 meters above sea level and wind your way down to a cozy 1,310 meters near the charming community of Los Venados. The road's paved, so the driving's smooth, but the real treat is the scenery. Prepare for mind-blowing canyon vistas, dramatic cliffs, and keep your eyes peeled for a hidden waterfall along the way! It's a visual feast you won't soon forget.

Where is Last Dollar Pass?moderate

Where is Last Dollar Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: Last Dollar Pass, perched way up in Colorado's San Miguel County at a whopping 10,676 feet! Everyone raves about it being one of the state's best backcountry drives, and I'm here to tell you why. We're talking southwestern Colorado, folks. This isn't your average highway; it's an old mining supply route from the 1800s that's been transformed into a seriously scenic dirt road (aka Last Dollar Road #638). Now, about the road itself: It's unpaved the whole way. In dry weather, most cars can handle it, but after it rains, things get muddy, and 4WD is your friend. Really though, a high-clearance 4x4 is the ideal ride. It's about 22 miles long, winding from CO-62 to CO-145. It’ll take you two or three hours because you'll be going slow and stopping for pictures every five minutes. Think of it as the super-scenic shortcut between Ridgway and Telluride. Heads up: this road is only usually open from June to September when it's dry because winter shuts it down completely. So, plan your trip accordingly and definitely don’t go if the weather looks iffy. Why bother? Oh, the views! Around every corner are those classic Colorado vistas. The Wilson Range, St. Sophia Ridge, Palmyra Peak, and the Sneffels Range all put on a show. Seriously, it might just be the best spot to catch the fall colors, with aspen groves for days. Wildflowers explode in early summer, and keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk, and even bears roaming around. Oh, and fun fact, John Wayne's "True Grit" filmed its opening and closing scenes here. Talk about a legendary backdrop!

Where is Badwater Basin?extreme

Where is Badwater Basin?

🇺🇸 Usa

Badwater Basin is a salt pan at 86m (282ft) below sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. At this elevation it’s the lowest point in North America. Where is Badwater Basin? The basin is a surreal landscape of vast salt flats located in Death Valley National Park, in the eastern central part of California. Why is it called Badwater Basin? This site was once a lake, but as it has dried up, sediment and salt have accumulated here over time because the lake has no outlet. A sign near the parking lot says that the area was named Badwater because a traveler was passing through and saw that there was water for his mule to drink. However, because the water is so full of salt, the animal refused to drink it, and thus the name Badwater was born. How long is the road to Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP? The road to the basin is totally paved. It’s called Badwater Road (CA 178). Starting at Furnace Creek (on CA-190), the drive is 15.5 miles (24.94km) long. The road is steep in parts, with a maximum gradient of 4% through some of the ramps. High in the rocky cliffs above the road, a sign reads 'SEA LEVEL', giving a good indication of just how low the land is. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP challenging? You must be prepared and use common sense. At Badwater Basin, significant rainstorms flood the valley bottom periodically. Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, and climatic conditions in the park can be extreme. With an air-conditioned vehicle, you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Avoid canyons during rainstorms and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for water running in washes and across road dips. Cell phones may not work in many parts of the park. Do not depend on them. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP worth it? Plan around 30 minutes to complete the drive without any stops. It is a truly unique place to discover. A visit to the basin is an otherworldly experience. This area is very popular, so be sure to note that if you go on a busy weekend. Badwater Basin can be viewed from your vehicle in the parking area . The road passes Artist’s Drive, another worthy attraction with unique Death Valley geology. How to drive the Sedona's Red Rock Scenic Byway in Arizona Daniel’s Pass is a classic road trip 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.

Where is Mount Tom?moderate

Where is Mount Tom?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Wanna bag a peak near Denver with some serious views (and a fascinating, if somber, history)? Let's talk Mount Tom! This beauty tops out at a whopping 9,478 feet in Jefferson County, Colorado. Fun fact: it's also the site of a WWII bomber crash, a sobering reminder that even stunning landscapes can hold stories of tragedy. Now, about getting there: the road's a 3.1-mile unpaved climb from Drew Hill Road. Word to the wise: it's gated, so you can't drive the full distance. Plus, being nestled in the Rockies, this road is definitely a seasonal deal. Expect snow to linger well into June, sometimes even July! So plan your trip accordingly.