
Where is Hogback Mountain?
Usa, north-america
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for an adventure up Hogback Mountain in Montana's Helena–Lewis and Clark National Forest! This isn't your average Sunday drive, but the views are totally worth it.
We're talking a serious climb to a pretty high elevation. The road to the top starts off near... and winds up around 10 miles to the top. While it's generally in decent shape, high clearance is definitely recommended.
Your prize for conquering this route? An awesome fire lookout at the summit! The original lookout was built way back in 1936, but it got a makeover in 1961 and now sits on a solid 10-foot concrete base. It's staffed during the summer, but is open to the public so you can soak in the views anytime.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateGranite Pass is a beautiful drive through the Bighorn Mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Granite Pass in Wyoming! This stunner sits way up high at 9,045 feet, right on the edge of Big Horn and Sheridan counties. You'll be cruising on U.S. Route 14, also known as the Big Horn Scenic Byway, a perfectly paved, two-lane road that winds its way to the top. Get ready for some climbs, though – those ramps can get pretty steep, hitting a 7% gradient in places! The whole shebang is about 47.3 miles long, connecting Burgess Junction to Greybull, so pack some snacks. Nestled in the Bighorn Mountains, inside the Bighorn National Forest, this drive is all about the views. Keep an eye out for closures due to snow in the winter and early spring, but summer and fall are generally smooth sailing. Think alpine meadows, fields teeming with deer, elk, and moose – seriously, it's a photographer's dream. The road switchbacks dramatically through a canyon on the western side and then mellows out into a more gradual descent as you head east. Trust me, you won’t regret this one.
moderateO'Neil Pass is the highest paved road of South Dakota
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for O'Neil Pass! This baby is supposedly South Dakota's highest paved road, clocking in at a cool 6,712 feet above sea level. You'll find it nestled in Lawrence County, inside the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota. The entire route is paved, so no need to worry about your low-riders. Just hop onto the CanAm Highway, aka U.S. Route 85, and get ready for some climbing! The road gets pretty steep in sections, topping out at a 7% gradient. This epic stretch of road runs for about 25 miles, connecting Cheyenne Crossing, SD to Four Corners, WY. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, and definitely proceed with caution during the winter months – this winding road can get pretty treacherous with ice and snow. Pro tip: just past the pass, check out Trailshead Lodge for cozy cabins and snowmobiling adventures!
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Rocky Point in Idaho
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you find yourself in Idaho County, Idaho, and you've got a hankering for some serious elevation, you NEED to check out Rocky Point. We're talking about a peak sitting pretty at 6,233 feet (1,900m) in the Bitterroot Range. Now, fair warning: the road to the top, Forest Road 500A (aka Rocky Point Lookout Road), is all dirt. Think rugged, think real. You'll probably need a 4x4 to make it, and heads up – it's usually snowed in from October to June. But trust me, it's worth the wait. The climb itself is short and sweet (or maybe short and *sweaty*): just 0.9 miles (1.4km) from the Lolo Motorway (Forest Road 500) , but it packs a punch, gaining 305 feet (93m) of elevation with some seriously steep sections hitting a 12% grade! At the summit, you'll find a lookout tower built back in '63, and it's still staffed every year. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
hardStein Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Stein Mountain in Idaho! This beauty sits at a lofty 8,555 feet in Lemhi County, within the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The road to the top? It's Blacktail Road, a proper gravel and rocky track. Think 4x4 is optional? Nope, you'll absolutely need it! This old trail can be a bit of a sneaky one to follow, so keep your eyes peeled. Forget about winter visits—it's completely impassable then. Once you conquer the climb, you'll find a lookout tower built in '58 (a cool upgrade from the 1917 log cabin version). Pro tip: come prepared for high altitude! While summer days can hit a pleasant 70 degrees, things can quickly plummet to 30 degrees, especially with those afternoon thunderstorms that roll in. And hold onto your hats – the wind can really howl up there!