Where is Elwood Pass?
Usa, north-america
28.8 km
3,559 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're looking for an epic Colorado adventure? Check out Elwood Pass! Nestled in Rio Grande County, this beauty tops out at 11,676 feet above sea level. You'll find it hanging out in the Rio Grande National Forest in southwestern Colorado.
The road to the summit, known as East Fork Road (FS 667), is 17.9 miles of pure, unadulterated dirt. Prepare for a steep climb, with sections hitting a 20% gradient! The elevation gain is a serious 4,376 feet, making for an average gradient of 4.63%.
Keep in mind, this road is impassable in winter due to the high elevation and heavy snowfall in the San Juan Mountains. The road's narrow, but the views are killer. It can get slick when wet, and be warned: parts of the drive hug a high cliff, so it can be a bit treacherous.
The climb is rocky, steep, and definitely a challenge. The first 8 miles are pretty tame, a graded gravel road suitable for most cars. It follows the river through a rocky canyon before opening into a wide valley. You'll find a dip near Silver Falls that might challenge the ground clearance of lower cars.
The real fun begins after 10 miles at the Quartz Creek turnoff. Expect lots of climbing and loose rocks. This section demands a 4x4 with high clearance due to multiple water crossings. Lock those axles, drop it into first gear, and use low range. There are spots where the road is carved into near-vertical rock walls with serious drop-offs. Take it slow and steady!
Be extra cautious when the road is wet, especially in spring when the river crossings can be deep and swift with snowmelt. Summer rain can also swell the river and make the road muddy and slick in places. Basically, Elwood Pass is a stunner, but it demands respect!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 28.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,559 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
moderateIs the road to Powder River Pass in WY paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! We're heading to Powder River Pass in Wyoming, a sky-high spot chilling at 9,666 feet! You'll find this gem in Johnson County, nestled in the north-central part of the state. The route? It's all smooth sailing on US Highway 16, totally paved and generally pretty quiet. Don't expect a wild, white-knuckle ride. While you’ll gain some serious altitude, the road's not crazy steep – think a max of 8% gradient on some ramps. It's twisty, though, so keep an eye on those speed limits! You can usually hit this pass year-round, but remember, it's high in the Bighorn Mountains, so winter weather can throw a curveball and cause temporary closures. The stretch itself? You're looking at about 46.4 miles (74.67 km) of gorgeousness, running from Meadowlark Lake to Buffalo, right through the heart of the Bighorn National Forest. And the scenery? Oh, it’s epic! Picture this: towering rocky cliffs, lush pine forests, and sparkling rivers winding alongside you. Plus, the summit has a massive parking area where you can soak it all in. Road trip gold!
hardThe steep Tuna Canyon Road is one of the 7 Best Driving Roads in Malibu
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for Tuna Canyon Road in western Los Angeles County! This isn't just a drive; it's an experience, supposedly one of the best in Malibu. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains within Tuna Canyon Park, this totally paved, yet super narrow road offers thrills and views for days. Here's the deal: It's a 7-mile (11.2km) ribbon of asphalt connecting Pacific Coast Highway to CA-27 near Topanga. But, heads up! Much of it is one-way downhill (thanks, mudslide!), packed with twists and turns. And those turns can be pretty intense, with sections hitting an 18% grade! Keep your eyes peeled for random rocks and sand, and get ready for some seriously sharp curves *without* guardrails. Rock wall on one side, dramatic drop on the other – it's edge-of-your-seat stuff. Your brakes are gonna get a workout, so make sure they're in top shape. Word to the wise: This road has a reputation for speed demons, and sadly, accidents. Take it slow, soak in the scenery, and resist the urge to use that center lane for passing. Allow around 25-30 minutes to cruise this stretch, and trust me, the photo ops are endless. The combo of the wooded landscape and Pacific Ocean views is pure magic. So, if you're up for a challenging, scenic adventure, Tuna Canyon Road is calling your name!
moderateWhen was Lands End Observatory built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in western Colorado, about to hit up Lands End Observatory. This place is perched way up high in Mesa County, at almost 10,000 feet! You'll be cruising along Lands End Road (aka Forest Road 105), which is about 11.5 miles long. It's mostly gravel and paved, so your average car should be fine, especially when the weather's good. Just start from Colorado State Highway 65 (Grand Mesa Scenic Byway). Word to the wise: this road's usually snowed in during the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Lands End Observatory itself is this cool historic building built way back in the 30s. While the observatory isn't used anymore, the views are totally worth the drive. Seriously, they're insane! You can see the Book Cliffs stretching all the way into Utah. Then, spin around and BAM – the San Juan Mountains and the Uncompahgre Wilderness are right there. You can also spot the Colorado National Monument, Big and Little Dominguez Canyons, Unaweep Canyon, and a bunch of those epic 14,000-foot peaks. Just past Land's End the road begins a harrowing hairpin-turn descent of 6,000 feet to the valley below. Get your camera ready!
hardWhere is Emerald Bay Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Emerald Bay Road is a must-do scenic drive hugging the western shore of Lake Tahoe in California. Get ready for some thrills because this road can be a bit of a nail-biter, clinging to steep cliffs with, at times, no guardrails! Located on the eastern edge of California, near the Nevada border, this fully paved section of Highway 89 is not for the faint of heart. Imagine yourself perched on a mountain ridge with massive drop-offs on either side. It's a little scary, sure, but the views are SO worth it. Trust me, you'll be high above not one, but two dazzling mountain lakes! This incredible stretch of road is just under 30km (18.6 miles) long, winding from Lake Valley to Tahoma in the Sierra Nevada's Carson Range. The highest point is Inspiration Point, sitting pretty at 2,084m (6,837ft) above sea level, a full 600 feet above Lake Tahoe. From up there, you'll get the picture-perfect panorama of Emerald Bay, boats bobbing on the water, Vikingsholm, and Fanette Island. Tip: parking can get tricky in the summer, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, so plan accordingly! Emerald Bay Road does throw in some steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 9%. There’s a particularly memorable quarter-mile stretch where you're riding a ridge separating Emerald Bay from Cascade Lake, with a stomach-dropping 600-foot plunge on both sides – sans guardrails! So, if you're not a fan of heights or the wind is howling, maybe save this one for a calmer day. It’s breathtaking, but definitely precipitous!