
Where is Marble Mountain?
Usa, north-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a killer route for you in Colorado, smack-dab in the eastern San Juan Mountains. We're talking about a high mountain pass reaching a serious elevation above sea level—one of the highest roads in the whole state! You'll find this gem nestled within the Rio Grande National Forest.
Now, the road to the summit? Pure unadulterated off-road bliss! It's unpaved the entire way, stretching roughly east to west. And trust me, at the top, the views of the surrounding peaks are absolutely worth the climb.
Keep in mind, though, this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. It's usually impassable during the winter months, so plan your trip accordingly. You'll typically find it open around , giving you a sweet window to experience this wild Colorado ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardHow to get to Rock Creek Vista Point by car?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: cruising along the Beartooth Scenic Highway in Montana, near the Wyoming border. You absolutely HAVE to make a pit stop at Rock Creek Vista Point. At 9,199 feet above sea level, this overlook is an absolute stunner! The road? Paved perfection winding through incredible alpine landscapes. Think sweeping views, gentle grades, and hairpin turns galore – perfect for soaking in that valley scenery. Word to the wise: this beauty is only accessible from about mid-May to mid-October, thanks to those epic Montana winters. Trust me, the views are worth planning your trip around. Rock Creek Vista Point is a popular pullout, and for good reason, the parking is plentiful, and the overlook provides breathtaking views of Rock Creek Canyon and Hellroaring Plateau. Plus, the Beartooth Mountains in the distance? Unforgettable. Keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk (you’re in high-altitude country!), and remember, it's bear country, so be aware! This one's a must-do, folks.
extremeHow long is Stampede Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you wanna check out the Stampede Trail in Alaska's Denali National Park? This place is legendary! It's about 18 miles (28km) of pure Alaskan wilderness, kicking off from the George Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3). The first four miles? Easy peasy, paved road. You can probably get up to Mile 5 in a regular car. After that, things get real. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, preferably with four-wheel drive, to handle the rough terrain. Eventually, it turns into a hiking trail all the way to an old antimony mine along Stampede Creek. Yeah, this is the trail where that infamous bus, Fairbanks City Transit System Bus 142, used to be. It was a relic from the '60s, abandoned after some road work. It became a destination when Christopher McCandless (aka "Into the Wild") lived in it back in '92 before, sadly, passing away from starvation. It really put this trail on the map. But, for safety and preservation, the bus has been moved to the University of Alaska Museum of the North in 2020. So, about the drive itself? It can be tough. Even though it's mostly flat, it gets super muddy after it rains. And, watch out, you'll need to ford two rivers. Also, don't believe every map you see — Stampede Road doesn't actually reach the Toklat River, so it's not a great shortcut. But hey, the views are amazing! On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mt. McKinley (Denali). Plus, you're likely to spot moose, foxes, caribou, and, yep, even bears. Just be prepared for mosquitoes, especially if the air's still. This isn't some manicured tourist attraction. It was originally cut back in the '30s as a mining trail. They started to improve it in '61 for truck access to the mines, but the project was abandoned a couple of years later. And, get this: they never built any bridges, even though it crosses several rivers! So, yeah, expect a raw, unfiltered Alaskan experience.
hardSilvertip Basin
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamt of conquering a road that scrapes the sky? Then Silvertip Basin in Wyoming's Absaroka range is calling your name. We're talking a lung-busting 10,633 feet (3,241m) above sea level, making it one of the highest drives in the state! Forest Road 1013I isn't for the faint of heart. Picture this: a super skinny, rocky track that climbs like a homesick angel. You'll definitely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. And heads up, this road is typically snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. Heights phobia? Maybe skip this one. But if you're brave enough, you'll be rewarded with views that'll make your jaw drop. Just remember, this is an old mine road, so expect a wild, rugged ride, and keep an eye on the weather. Thunderstorms can turn those dirt tracks into a 4x4-only mud bath in a heartbeat!
moderateThe Ultimate Road Trip To Mount Bross in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
# Mount Bross: Colorado's Sky-High Mining Adventure Want to drive one of the highest roads in the USA? Head to Park County in central Colorado, just west of Denver, where you'll find Mount Bross tucked into the Pike National Forest. This 13,356-foot peak sits in the stunning Mosquito Range and comes with some serious bragging rights. The journey follows County Road 787—also called Windy Ridge Road—an old mining road that's completely unpaved. The official drive ends near the Mineral Park mine in Dolly Varden Gulch, and honestly, most of the route is pretty straightforward. But here's where it gets real: as you climb higher, things get narrow and rocky. We're talking loose rock, tight spots, and seriously exposed sections that'll make full-size vehicle owners nervous. Compact SUVs and high-clearance vehicles are your friends here. Fair warning—the summit itself is private property, and owners haven't allowed public access to the actual peak since 2005. You'll see a no-vehicle marker about 150 feet from the top, so respect that boundary. The whole mountain is basically a patchwork of old mining claims and roads, which is part of its charm and complexity. Here's the reality check: this road is only reliably accessible during summer months. Afternoon thunderstorms pop up almost daily and roll across the peak like clockwork. Get up early and plan to be back down by noon—lightning at 13,000 feet isn't worth the risk. But those views? Absolutely worth the effort. You'll see other 14ers stretching across the horizon, historic mining relics scattered everywhere, and some of Colorado's most breathtaking alpine scenery. It's history, adventure, and mountain beauty all rolled into one unforgettable drive.