
Where is Moses Mountain?
Usa, north-america
6.59 km
2,066 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Moses Mountain! This bad boy towers over Okanogan County, Washington, clocking in at a whopping 6,778 feet above sea level. You'll find it chilling in the north-central part of the state, smack-dab in the Colville Indian Reservation. It's named after a legendary Sinkiuse-Columbia tribe chief from way back when.
The payoff at the top is so worth it. Besides the rad radio facilities and structures, there's this historic fire lookout tower. It's a total behemoth at 123 feet – supposedly the tallest in the Pacific Northwest! Okay, it might be retired from actual lookout duty these days, but it's a seriously cool piece of history.
Now, about the road... Buckle up, because it's called BIA Road 61, and it's 100% unpaved. Think dirt, ruts, rocks, and potholes galore. Seriously, almost every switchback has enough room to pull over if you need a breather, or just want to soak up the views. Which are, by the way, totally amazing. You'll gain 2,054 feet of elevation over just 4.1 miles, so yeah, it’s steep.
While you might get away with a regular vehicle, a high-clearance ride is your best bet for a smoother (and safer) journey. Pro tip: only attempt this when it's dry. A little rain turns that dirt into a muddy mess you do not want to mess with. Trust me, getting stuck way up here is not how you want to spend your day.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 6.59 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,066 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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