Where is Grayback Mountain?
Usa, north-america
2.84 km
3,853 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Grayback Mountain in Colorado's Rio Grande County is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a real trek to 3,853 m (12,641 ft) above sea level, where you'll find a radio tower perched on the very top.
So, how do you get there? The road, also known as Greyback Mountain, is all dirt. Yep, a completely unpaved single-lane track with a couple of hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. It's not crazy difficult, as it's used for radio equipment maintenance, and you can usually see what's coming, with pullouts to let others pass.
The climb starts from Summitville Road and it’s a steep 2.84 km (1.76 mi) to the top. You'll gain 214 meters in elevation, so buckle up for an average gradient of 7.53%.
Now, about your ride: A high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet, but experienced off-roaders might be able to tackle it in a 2x4. Leave your low-riding cars at home, this isn't their terrain!
Heads up: this area high in the San Juan Mountains is best explored in the summer. Snow typically blocks access until mid-July. The weather here can turn on a dime, so pack layers and rain gear. Morning is the magic hour before afternoon thunderstorms roll in. If you see lightning, hunker down in your car and head down the mountain ASAP.
But the views? Oh man, the views. A full 360-degree panorama of the San Juan Mountains that's totally worth the effort. Get ready to be blown away!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.84 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,853 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardDriving the Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, California dreamers, listen up! Want to bag the highest peak in Orange County? Then you've gotta hit up Santiago Peak, sitting pretty at 5,689 feet. You'll find it straddling Orange and Riverside counties, deep in the Cleveland National Forest. The route? It's Main Divide Road, an unpaved adventure that's totally worth it. Think simple trail – a little narrow, a little loose, a little uneven, but nothing your trusty 4WD can't handle. Most SUVs and trucks should be just fine tackling this one! Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, with gradients maxing out at 22%! You're looking at a 15.5-mile ascent from Ortega Highway, gaining over 3,300 feet along the way. So yeah, it’s a climb! Nestled in the Santa Ana Mountains, keep an eye on the weather and fire danger levels because this route can close. And guess what? Sometimes, you'll even find snow up there in winter! But the real reward is the views. Picture this: From the summit, on a clear day, you can see *everything*! We're talking Catalina Island sparkling in the ocean, stretching all the way out to the San Jacinto mountains, plus stunning panoramas of Orange and Riverside counties. Unreal! Up top, you'll be sharing the space with a bunch of microwave and telecommunication antennas – they keep the radio waves flowing for a huge chunk of Southern California. Locals often call it Saddleback Mountain, so keep an ear out for that. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to conquer this backcountry road without stopping. Trust me, the views are worth every single bump and turn!
hardThe road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure
🇺🇸 Usa
Just a short hop from the 288-Globe Young Highway in Arizona's Gila County, awaits the amazing 200 ft Workman Creek Falls! But heads-up, this ain't your average Sunday drive. Forest Service Road 487 (AKA Workman Creek Road) stretches just over 3 miles, and it's unpaved the whole way. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, and forget about it if it's wet. You can usually make it to the Falls in 2WD (weather permitting), but beyond that, things get real. We're talking steep, narrow paths clinging to the side of cliffs – not for the faint of heart! It winds up to Aztec Peak lookout, a whopping 7,746 feet above sea level. The final stretch is a single-track forest road that can be a bit rocky. If the gate's open, you can drive all the way to the top. Keep in mind, this road above the Falls Recreation Site is usually closed during the winter months (mid-December to end of March) due to snow. The views, though? Absolutely stunning! You're in the Tonto National Forest, smack-dab in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, home to diverse wildlife and plants. Oh, and one more thing: this area has naturally occurring uranium and radium-266, and was mined in the 50's! There are signs posted, but be aware of the potential for low-level radiation. And seriously, DO NOT enter any of the old mines – some have dangerously high radiation levels.
easyWhy is it called Mirror Lake Highway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Mirror Lake Highway is a very scenic mountain road running from Kamas (in Utah) to Evanston (in Wyoming). It’s a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. Why is it called Mirror Lake Highway? It is named for Mirror Lake, a picturesque lake that the highway passes along the way. How long is the Mirror Lake Highway? Mirror Lake Highway, also known as State Route 150, is totally paved. It’s 124.24km (77.2 miles) long, heading east from Kamas (in southwestern Summit County) to Evanston (the county seat of Uinta County). It was built in 1933. The drive, also known as Mirror Lake Highway scenic drive, is around 56 miles in northern Utah and around 18 miles in southwestern Wyoming. Is the Mirror Lake Highway closed? Running through the western portion of the Uinta Mountains, the road tops out at 3.272m (10,734ft) above sea level at is said to be Utah's highest paved road. The road is usually open from Memorial Day weekend to early November, depending on the weather. The highway is closed from the Soapstone Campground, 15 miles past Kamas, to the East Fork Campground, 33 miles from Evanston, Wyoming. Is Mirror Lake Highway worth the drive? Tucked away within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, it is one of the most popular mountainous driving routes in both states. Plan 2 hours to complete the drive without any stop. Make sure you leave enough time to make plenty of stops along the way because the road winds through farm and ranch lands and rises to heavily forested, mountain terrain, accented by meadows and rugged peaks. There are numerous access points into the High Uinta Wilderness along this byway. A drive to the top of Henness Pass in California How to get by car to Carson ghost town in Colorado? 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.
hardMonument Ridge
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Monument Ridge in southwestern Montana's Madison County is calling your name! We're talking about a serious climb to 9,576 feet above sea level in the heart of the Gravelly Range. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest road #290, also known as Gravelly Range Road, which is a gravelly, rocky, and bumpy beast. Think teeth-chattering terrain! You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this one, trust me. And a good dose of bravery! Heads up: winters are a no-go here. The road is usually impassable. Plus, if you're not comfortable with heights or super steep climbs, this might not be your jam. Expect mud if it's wet. But the views? Absolutely worth the challenge. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.