Where is Gray’s Peak?
Usa, north-america
5.47 km
3,488 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Gray's Peak in Colorado! This beauty sits pretty in Clear Creek County, about 40 miles west of Denver. The prize? A super rough road that climbs to a whopping 11,443 feet!
We're talking Stevens Gulch Road (Road 321) here, folks. Forget pavement – it's all about unmaintained dirt, rocky climbs, washouts, and potholes. Seriously, some of these cuts in the road are over two feet deep! You'll definitely want a 4x4 with good clearance for this one, though a careful AWD might make it.
From I-70, it's a 3.4-mile climb with an elevation gain of 1,643 feet. That's an average gradient of 9.15%, with some sections hitting a steep 13%.
Word to the wise: this spot is popular! During the summer, the parking lot fills up fast, so expect to see cars lining the road, especially on weekends. Keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic – things can get tight!
Also, remember Mother Nature calls the shots here. This road's usually only safe mid-summer – think June to August – when the snow's mostly melted. Be sure to check conditions before you go; they can change year to year.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.47 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,488 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateNorth Star Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a Colorado thrill, you HAVE to check out North Star Mountain. We're talking serious altitude here - a whopping 12,992 feet! Located in Summit County, this is one of the highest drives in the state. Fair warning: this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. This is a proper 4x4 kinda adventure. Co Rd 2 is a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes bumpy old mine trail that winds its way up through the Mosquito Range. Expect high winds pretty much year-round, and even in summer, be prepared for a potential snowy surprise. Keep in mind that access can change due to private mining claims, so stay alert! This road is generally impassable between October and June, weather depending, of course. But trust me, when you finally reach the top (or Zenobia Peak along the way), the views are absolutely worth it. Get ready for some seriously scenic backcountry beauty!
hardLulu Pass in Montana is worth the white-knuckle drive
🇺🇸 Usa
Hey adventure seekers! Wanna tackle one of Montana's highest roads? Head to Park County and take on Lulu Pass, topping out at a cool 9,872 feet! You'll find it north of Cooke City, nestled in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the southwestern part of the state. Fair warning: this ain't your Sunday drive. It's a 5.2-mile unpaved climb up an old mining road from Beartooth Highway (US-212). Think rough terrain and pretty steep inclines. You'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to conquer this one. Keep in mind, Lulu Pass is typically snowed in from November to May. Even during the open season, the weather up here can be super unpredictable – think sudden chills and surprise storms. Be prepared! Up top, you’ll find some cool historic ruins from the old New World Mining District. But the real reward? The mind-blowing views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and those gorgeous alpine meadows. Trust me, the bragging rights are totally worth it!
easyWhere is the Red Rock Scenic Byway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Arizona, about 110 miles north of Phoenix, and you stumble upon the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Seriously, this isn't just a drive; it's like rolling through a living, breathing museum. This 14.3-mile stretch of Arizona Highway 179, linking Sedona to Interstate 17, is pure magic. Think red sandstone formations, the kind that make you want to pull over every five minutes to snap a photo. The road itself? Paved, but keep your eyes peeled because it gets twisty in spots. Good news, it’s usually open year-round! Though, heads up, Arizona does get snow, especially from November to March, so keep an eye on the forecast. You *could* zip through it in about 30 minutes, but trust me, you won’t want to. Weekends, especially late mornings and afternoons, get busy, so plan accordingly. There are tons of viewpoints begging for a stop. Is it worth it? Absolutely! It's a gateway to Sedona's famous Red Rock Country. The main chunk, about 7 miles between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, is where the red rock formations seriously pop against the high desert backdrop. You'll even find yourself driving through pine forests within the Coconino National Forest. Prepare to be wowed by the colors and the feeling of being totally immersed in nature. Basically, non-stop scenic views!
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.