Where is Loveland Pass?
Usa, north-america
33 km
3,660 m
extreme
Year-round
Loveland Pass! Perched high in the Colorado Rockies, right on the Continental Divide, this beauty sits at a whopping 12,007 feet. Yep, it's up there! You'll find it snaking between Summit and Clear Creek counties, west of Denver.
This isn't your average scenic drive; it's an adventure. U.S. Highway 6, aka Loveland Pass Road, is fully paved but don't let that fool you. This 20.5-mile stretch, linking Loveland Ski Area to Silverthorne via I-70, packs a punch with an 11% gradient in spots!
Named after William A.H. Loveland, a railroad bigwig, this pass isn't for the faint of heart, especially in winter. Think switchbacks galore with zero guardrails in places and the potential for closures due to crazy weather. Snowplowing is a challenge thanks to that steep 6.7% grade and all those hairpin turns! Avalanches? Yeah, they can happen too.
But oh, the views! Parking at the summit can be tricky (everyone wants a piece of this!), but trust me, it's worth it. Just try to keep your eyes on the road—the surrounding mountains are mesmerizing. It can get a little scary with those unprotected viewpoints, but hey, a little thrill never hurt anyone, right?
Be cautious though! This is a mountain road with some serious drop-offs. Most I-70 traffic ducks through the Eisenhower Tunnel these days, but big rigs and hazardous materials haulers still brave Loveland Pass, soaring 800 feet above the tunnel.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 33 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,660 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
extremeHighest roads of Canada
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada's a beast of a country, right? Second-biggest in the world, and seriously showing off with those mountains. Head west, and BAM! The Canadian Rockies are all up in Alberta's grill, and British Columbia's hogging the Coast and Columbia ranges. We're talking glaciers older than your grandma, lakes so clear you'll think they're photoshopped, and canyons deep enough to swallow your car (okay, maybe not, but close!). Now, all that wild, untouched beauty means some serious road-building wizardry. We're talking about Canada's highest roads, carving through massive national parks and wilderness areas. Get ready for some epic mountain driving – the kind that'll make you grip the wheel and grin at the same time.
moderateA bumpy paved road to Ski Apache in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Ski Apache in New Mexico! Perched way up high in Lincoln County, this ski resort sits at a dizzying 9,803 feet! Seriously, if you're not a fan of heights, maybe take a friend who's comfortable driving. You'll find Ski Apache nestled near Ruidoso, right in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico. Getting there is an experience itself. You'll cruise along New Mexico Highway 532, or as the locals call it, Ski Run Road. It's a paved road, thankfully, but hold on tight—it's a bit steep and bumpy. From Alto (off NM-48), it's about 11.9 miles to the top. Speaking of the top, you'll be scaling the Sierra Blanca slopes until you reach a whopping 10,098 feet! The road's generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather during winter. Things can change fast, and they might close it down temporarily. Snow chains could be a lifesaver, too. Now, for the thrill-seekers: this road is STEEP. We're talking a maximum 12% gradient on some of those ramps! Plus, those hairpin turns mean you'll be testing your brakes on the way down. It’s easily one of the twistiest roads in New Mexico. Some spots have barriers, but others? Well, let's just say you get some incredible views... straight down.
easyDriving the lovely Glendora Mountain Road in Southern California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Glendora Mountain Road, or GMR as the locals call it, is calling your name. Tucked away in the Angeles National Forest, a stone's throw from the buzz of Los Angeles, this isn't just a drive; it's an experience. Spanning just over 21 miles from Glendora to Mount Baldy, crossing both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, this fully paved beauty is a winding ribbon of smooth asphalt. Think perfect conditions, minimal potholes, and enough elevation to keep the snow away most of the year. Prepare for some serious gradients, though! You'll hit some ramps with up to a 10% incline, enough to make it interesting. And those blind turns? They'll keep you honest, so stay sharp and avoid hugging the center line – you never know what's coming around the bend. Trust me, you'll want to pull over and soak in the views. This is Southern California at its finest, with mountain panoramas that will knock your socks off. Allot an hour to savor the journey, and take advantage of the plentiful turnouts. Word to the wise: weekends can get crazy with motorcycles and cyclists, so if you want a more relaxed experience, aim for a weekday morning. You might even encounter the occasional speed demon, so keep your wits about you. The road crests at a cool 4,537 feet, guaranteeing breathtaking views year-round. What are you waiting for? Get out there and experience the GMR!
extremeJureano Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Jureano Mountain in Idaho's Salmon River Mountains! This peak clocks in at a cool 8,353 feet, and getting to the top is an experience in itself. We're talking about Forest Road 325, a gravelly, 4x4-only track deep inside the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Don't even *think* about attempting this road in bad weather. Avalanches, serious snowfall, and landslides are real possibilities, and ice patches are common. But the reward? A historic fire lookout at the summit! Built way back in 1935, it's a 60-foot steel tower with a tiny cabin, though it hasn't been used since the 50s. Epic views and a dash of history – what more could you want?