Where is Galena Summit?
Usa, north-america
125 km
2,660 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through Idaho and looking for a memorable drive? Then point your wheels toward Galena Summit! This high-altitude pass clocks in at a cool 8,727 feet (2,660m) and sits pretty in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
You'll find this gem in the northwest corner of Blaine County. The road, State Highway 75 (aka the Sawtooth Scenic Byway), is completely paved, but don't let that fool you – it's a pretty steep climb in sections with some twisty turns.
This north-south route stretches for 78 miles (125km) between Stanley and Bellevue, offering incredible panoramic mountain views along the way. It's considered one of Idaho's most iconic drives.
While usually open year-round, winter can throw a wrench in the works with snow and potential closures. So be sure to check conditions before you go. This pass definitely lives up to its location high in the Boulder Mountains!
Make sure to stop at the Bethine and Frank Church Overlook, just west of the summit. The views from here, especially near sunrise or sunset, are simply stunning. Keep an eye out for wildlife, too – you never know what you might see!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 125 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,660 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateSheriff Reservoir
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Sheriff Reservoir! Picture this: you're cruising in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, way up high – nearly 10,000 feet above sea level! The reservoir itself is stunning, surrounded by that rugged Colorado beauty. To get there, you'll be traveling on Forest Road 959, a gravel road that winds its way up. Word to the wise: keep a close watch on the weather. Mountain thunderstorms can roll in fast! Usually, the road is clear and ready for adventure by early June each year. Get ready for some epic views!
moderateDillon Road is a dangerous drive through the open desert of California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! We're heading to Dillon Road, a total hidden gem in Riverside County, California. Think wide-open desert vibes in the Coachella Valley, that southern part of California everyone raves about. Fun fact: you'll actually be cruising right over the San Andreas Fault! This baby's fully paved and stretches for about 34 miles (or 55 km for you metric folks) from Indio, where it kicks off from Highway 86, all the way to Twentynine Palms Highway near Palm Springs. Now, a little heads up: this road can be a bit of a wild card. It's super straight, which is awesome for views, but it means people tend to *really* put the pedal to the metal. There have been quite a few fender-benders, so keep your eyes peeled and stick to the speed limit (even if everyone else is ignoring it). But, if you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure with stunning desert scenery and minimal traffic, Dillon Road is calling your name!
hardWhen was Baxter Pass in Colorado built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Baxter Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.573m (8,441ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. When was Baxter Pass in Colorado built? The pass is located on the way from Dragon (Utah) to Mack (Colorado). A railroad (Uintah Railway) once went up and over the pass to haul gilsonite between both cities. It was built during 1905-1906. The Uintah Railway was unique in that it was built for one product, and gilsonite supported it. During the 1920s and 1930s, the advent of better roads and heavy trucks made the railroad obsolete, and it was finally abandoned in 1938. Can you drive to Baxter Pass in Colorado? The road to the summit is totally unpaved (hard-packed, sand, a few bumpy places, and rocks larger than 6 inches). It’s called County Highway 201 (Baxter Pass Road). Not recommended for newbies. Along the way, you’ll have to deal with some narrow parts and dangerous drop-offs: a short shelf road section is on the south approach. This is a rough dirt road through a really lonesome, isolated corner of Colorado. How long is the road to Baxter Pass in Colorado? The remote road is 81km (50.3 miles) long, running south-north from Mack (in Mesa County, Colorado) to the Utah border, south of Dragon. Is Baxter Pass Colorado Open? The winding and steep trail is accessible from June through October. The wind sometimes piled snow up as high as the windows of the passenger cars. How long does it take to drive through Baxter Pass Colorado? Plan about 3 hours to complete this remote road. There are a few ghost towns along the way. The summit hosts a communication antenna. What are the highest roads in Arizona? A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico 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.
hardWhere is Thurston Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Utah road trip, anyone? Let's talk about Thurston Peak, perched right on the border between Morgan and Davis counties. Now, there's a gravel road snaking its way up the north side of this beauty, climbing to a whopping 9,809 feet! Think serious altitude. Heads up, though: this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a completely unpaved route – a chairlift access road, no less, for the fancy Wasatch Peaks Ranch Ski Resort. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. Expect steep inclines and a seriously bumpy ride. And forget about it in the winter; it's totally impassable. This climb is a challenge, so private vehicles are not allowed. But if you get the chance, the views from up top have got to be insane!