
Where is Goldstone Pass?
Usa, north-america
5.63 km
2,774 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're craving a wild ride? Check out Goldstone Pass! It's perched way up on the Idaho-Montana border, a whopping 9,101 feet high. Seriously breathtaking.
You'll find this beauty straddling Lemhi County, Idaho, and Beaverhead County, Montana, smack-dab in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet. On the Montana side it's Goldstone Road, and in Idaho it's Pratt Creek Road. Did I mention it's one of the highest roads in Idaho?
The climb is pretty intense. From Bloody Dick Road, it's a 3.5-mile push, gaining 1,456 feet in elevation. Expect an average grade of almost 8%, with some ramps hitting over 10%! Keep an eye out for cool, abandoned mining relics along the way.
Just a heads up: this route's usually open from late May to early November, depending on the snow. Perfect for a summer/fall adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.63 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,774 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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