Where is Old Baldy Mountain?

Where is Old Baldy Mountain?

Usa, north-america

Length

1.31 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk Old Baldy Mountain in Montana's Lewis and Clark County! This peak sits pretty high up in the Big Belt Mountains, east of Helena, smack-dab in the Helena National Forest.

Getting to the top isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking a 1.31 km unpaved adventure from Basin Creek Rd. Forget your sedan; you'll absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this steep, rocky, and narrow track. The last stretch throws in a couple of hairpin turns just to keep you on your toes!

Prepare for a serious climb! You'll gain some significant elevation over a short distance, resulting in a super steep average gradient.

Heads up: this road is usually only open from mid-spring to late autumn. Winter brings heavy snow, making it impassable until the thaw. But trust me, the views from the top are worth the wait!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
1.31 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Shelf Road in Colorado: If you don't like steep drop-offs, don't take the roadextreme

Shelf Road in Colorado: If you don't like steep drop-offs, don't take the road

🇺🇸 Usa

Shelf Road: Buckle up for a wild ride through Fremont and Teller counties in Colorado! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's an adventure meant for the brave at heart (and those who trust their driver implicitly!). Got a thing for steep drops? Maybe skip this one. Some spots are so narrow, two cars can't squeeze by. This 13.3-mile dirt track snakes from Cañon City, climbing from 6,240 feet to a whopping 9,393 feet near Cripple Creek. That's a climb of over 3,000 feet, with an average gradient of almost 4%! Part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway, it's a stunner, but not for the faint of heart. Most vehicles can handle it, but if it's wet or snowy, you might want something with all-wheel drive. The views are incredible, but the road? Let's just say it keeps you on your toes. Think one-lane dirt road clinging to a cliff face with blind corners. You'll be close enough to high-five the driver in the oncoming car. The scariest part is the first few miles heading north from Canon City. That's where it's the steepest and narrowest. Passengers on the cliff side might want to close their eyes! Some say it's better to travel south, so the driver gets the view of the abyss. Word to the wise: keep an eye out for gold mine employees commuting at breakneck speeds. They know this road like the back of their hand and aren't afraid to show it! Built way back in 1892 as a toll road, Shelf Road was originally a stagecoach route to Cripple Creek. It gets its name from being carved right into the canyon wall, sometimes hundreds of feet up. The scenery is spectacular, with hairpin turns galore and limestone cliffs that'll leave you breathless. But remember, driver, eyes on the road! Let your passengers enjoy the views while you focus on not plunging into the canyon. Oh, and there's even a local legend about a high-speed chase up Shelf Road involving an armed fugitive. Imagine that wild ride! So, are you ready for an unforgettable adventure? Shelf Road awaits! Just remember to check conditions before you go and maybe say a little prayer.

Is the road to Engineer Pass paved?hard

Is the road to Engineer Pass paved?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so picture this: Engineer Pass, Colorado. We're talking a whopping 12,800 feet above sea level in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. This isn’t your Sunday drive – it's an unpaved, rocky adventure that'll have you hugging the curves in first gear. You'll find the start of the fun just four miles south of Ouray, right off the famous Million Dollar Highway. Be warned, the first couple of miles are the roughest, so if you're new to the off-roading scene, take it slow. This road is definitely best suited for high-clearance, short-wheelbase 4x4s; a full-size pickup might feel a bit claustrophobic. While most of the route is manageable, there are a few steep and narrow spots on the west side that will get your adrenaline pumping. This historic toll road, dating back to the late 1870s, was built to connect Silverton, Animas Forks, Ouray, and Lake City. Typically, you can access the pass from late May to late October, but those Colorado snows can be unpredictable, so be sure to check conditions. Definitely don’t attempt it if it’s snow-covered, and always use caution, especially when it’s wet. But trust me, it's worth the effort! At the summit, you're rewarded with mind-blowing 360-degree views of towering peaks, including Mt. Sneffels and Uncompahgre Peak. You'll also get a glimpse of the massive Lake City volcanic caldera. Along the way, keep an eye out for old mines, ghost towns, and vibrant wildflowers. Fishing, hiking, camping – it's all here! It's an exhilarating off-road experience with incredible views, mines, waterfalls, and historical intrigue. Get ready for a trip back in time on a road once traveled by miners and merchants!

Where is Georgia Pass?moderate

Where is Georgia Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Georgia Pass! This epic route straddles Summit and Jefferson Counties in Colorado, clocking in at around 21 miles. We're talking serious altitude here, topping out at nearly 11,600 feet! Now, the ride from Jefferson is pretty chill, doable in most cars with decent clearance. But heads up: the Breckenridge side is a whole different beast! Think muddy, rocky, and downright tricky. You'll want an OHV or SUV with some serious clearance to tackle this section. The road gets narrow with limited visibility, so keep an eye out for other adventurers. Expect some steep sections, too, with average gradients around 6% and maxing out at 15%. Newbies, take note: low gear is your friend on the descent to save those brakes! Keep in mind, Mother Nature calls the shots here. This beauty is usually closed to cars from November to May thanks to snow. But when it's open? Prepare for some mind-blowing scenery! We're talking Mount Guyot, the Breckenridge peaks, and the vast South Park plains. Picture yourself winding through pine forests, aspen groves, and alpine meadows, with panoramic vistas at every turn. The summit itself is an open, grassy saddle with insane views. Sure, it's a bumpy ride, but trust me, the views are worth it! Just make sure your rig is ready, and you know what you're getting into.

Where is Ghost Road Scenic Drive?easy

Where is Ghost Road Scenic Drive?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, buckle up for a spooky adventure on Bragg Road (aka Ghost Road Scenic Drive) in Hardin County, Texas! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a dive into local legend, deep in the Big Thicket, about 75 miles northeast of Pasadena. Forget the GPS for a second and listen up: this stretch of road is supposedly THE most haunted in Texas. The whispers center around the "Light of Saratoga," a ghostly glow that pops up randomly at night. Some say it's the lantern of a railroad worker who lost his head in a wreck and is still searching for it! Spooky, right? This super-straight road used to be part of the Santa Fe railroad line, built way back in 1901. The trains stopped running in 1934, but the old track became a road. Now, heads up: it's unpaved – think dry and dusty, but potentially muddy after a good rain. It's a long, isolated 7.8-mile (12.55km) stretch running from Farm-to-Market Road 1293 (near the ghost town of Bragg) to Farm-to-Market Road 787, near Saratoga. Keep an eye out for other vehicles, especially at night!