Where is Crazy Woman Canyon Road?
Usa, north-america
21.24 km
871 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for an off-road adventure on Crazy Woman Canyon Road in Wyoming's Johnson County! Seriously, ditch the sedan for this one; you absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle to tackle this bumpy ride.
You'll find this hidden gem nestled between Kaycee and Buffalo in north-central Wyoming. The name? Let's just say it's got some intriguing, slightly spooky legends tied to Crazy Woman Creek. Think solitary teepees and tales of tragedy...
This isn't your average Sunday drive. Crazy Woman Canyon Road (aka Bighorn National Forest Road 33) is a single-lane dirt track stretching for about 13.2 miles from WY-196 to US-16. And guess what? You might just have the whole place to yourself!
Prepare for some serious elevation as you climb 2,857 feet into the Big Horn Mountains. The road hugs the creek through the canyon, so keep an eye on the weather. Flash floods are no joke!
Be prepared to pull over. Some sections are barely wide enough for one vehicle. Definitely leave the RV at home; SUVs are the biggest you'll want to go. Turning around can be a real pain! Keep an eye out for those narrow, one-vehicle bridges, too.
But trust me, the slow pace is worth it. Allocate around 1.5 hours to soak it all in. This drive is a nature lover's dream, with ever-changing landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and babbling creeks. Picture yourself winding through towering cliffs that seem to touch the sky. It's an unforgettable experience!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 21.24 km
- Max Elevation
- 871 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
easyHow long is the drive on Lundy Lake Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Lundy Lake, nestled high in California's Eastern Sierra Nevada at 7,805 feet, is a total gem! You'll find it in Mono County, a stone's throw north of Lee Vining. This 100-acre lake is perfect for anyone itching to explore the wild beauty near Mono Lake. But, heads up, drivers! The road changes as you climb into the canyon. Seriously, the drive into Lundy Canyon is stunning, think towering slate cliffs and waterfalls that change with the seasons. The start of the drive is pretty tame, easy for most cars, but it gets trickier past the campgrounds. Knowing where the smooth road ends and the gravel begins is key if you're heading for the Lundy Canyon Trailhead. Okay, so Lundy Lake Road starts at Highway 395, a major road in the Eastern Sierra. From there, it snakes west into the canyon for roughly 6 miles. The first part is a breeze, winding through the foothills with awesome mountain views. The road's well-kept to the Lundy Lake Campground, so a regular car can handle it in the summer. Here's the deal: the road is split in two. The lower part's paved, easy access to the main lake spots. But after the campground, it turns to gravel for about 2 more miles, all the way to the Lundy Canyon Trailhead at 8,208 feet. Keep in mind, while the paved part's usually open, the gravel section to the trails and smaller lakes can close seasonally due to snow or damage. Driving Lundy Canyon? Pay attention to the seasons! Spring can bring road flooding from snowmelt, and winter means no plowing past the homes. The gravel road gets bumpy and narrow, so a high-clearance vehicle is smart if you're going to the trailhead. It's a dead-end road, no through access, so you gotta go back the way you came, down towards Highway 395. Always check Mono County road conditions before tackling that upper gravel stretch. Heads up, Yosemite fans! Lundy Lake is just north of Lee Vining, the east entrance to Tioga Pass. If you're cruising the Eastern Sierra, taking the detour to Lundy Canyon is a killer escape from the Yosemite crowds. Just head north on Highway 395 from the Tioga Pass junction for about 7 miles, then take Lundy Lake Road west to start your climb to the trailhead.
moderateWhere is Owl Creek Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Owl Creek Pass. We're talking serious Colorado vibes here, perched high in the Uncompahgre National Forest, right on the line between Ouray and Gunnison counties. This isn't your average Sunday drive though. You'll be cruisin' on County Road 8, a totally unpaved road. Clocking in at about 14.4 miles from the legendary Million Dollar Highway (US-550), it's a climb to 10,118 feet! Heads up: Mother Nature calls the shots up here. Usually, you can expect it to be closed from late October all the way through late June or even early July, depending on the snow. And even when it's "open," be ready for anything – snow, hail, thunderstorms, you name it! The road itself is generally a well-maintained gravel track. In dry conditions, most cars can handle it, but after a big rain, you might need AWD or 4WD to make it through the mud. RVs? Probably not a great idea. Expect tight turns and a steep climb, with gradients hitting 12% in places. From the Million Dollar Highway, you're gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation! But listen, the views are worth it! This drive is seriously scenic, with panoramic vistas that stretch on forever. Give yourself about an hour to soak it all in. Fun fact: John Wayne himself filmed scenes from *True Grit* and *How the West Was Won* here. Keep an eye out for those gorgeous old-growth aspens mixed with pine. And those red sandstone cliffs? Total photo gold, especially with the golden aspens in the fall!
extremeIs the road to Cerro de Punta in the Cordillera Central challenging?
🌍 Puerto Rico
Craving an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Puerto Rico? Head to Cerro de Punta, the island's highest peak! This mountaintop, straddling Jayuya and Ponce, boasts incredible views, but getting there is no joke. We're talking a seriously steep, mostly one-lane road, only 0.62 miles in length, that climbs 547 feet! Expect a rough ride with potholes, loose gravel, and nerve-wracking drop-offs. There's nowhere to pull over, either, so meeting another car means some tricky reversing on a crazy incline. A 4x4 is practically a must, and definitely think twice if it's raining. Despite the hair-raising journey from Highway 143, the reward is worth it. From the top, you'll find an observation platform and stunning panoramic views. On a clear day, you can practically see the whole island, including San Juan, way off in the distance! Just remember, this isn't a casual drive; it's an adventure.
easyHow long is the Extraterrestrial Highway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising Nevada's Extraterrestrial Highway (Route 375) is a trip! This 99-mile stretch cuts through the heart of the desert, linking Crystal Springs (near Route 318) to Warm Springs (near U.S. Route 6). Why the name? Well, this area is UFO hotspot, plus it's practically next door to Area 51. Keep your eyes peeled! The road itself is paved, but super isolated. You might not see another soul for miles. It’s all about that wide-open desert scenery. Just keep an eye on the weather, because things can change fast out there. You'll climb a few summits along the way—one around 5,613 feet, another about 5,610 feet, and finally topping out at almost 6,000 feet at Queen City Summit. Definitely a classic American road trip vibe! And if you're into all things alien, make sure you check out Rachel, the little town nearby. They've fully embraced the theme.