Where is Ophir Pass?
Usa, north-america
16.09 km
3,593 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in southwest Colorado, San Juan Mountains to be exact, ready for an adventure. You're about to tackle Ophir Pass, a mountain road that tops out at 11,789 feet. This isn't your average Sunday drive!
Ophir Pass Road, or Forest Road #630 if you're feeling official, stretches for about 10 miles, connecting CO-145 with the legendary Million Dollar Highway (US-550) near Silverton. You'll even cruise through the old mining town of Ophir – talk about a scenic detour!
Keep in mind, this road is usually open from June to November, give or take, depending on the snow. And when they DO finally plow it open in June, expect some serious snow walls at the summit! Afternoon storms are pretty common too, so pack accordingly.
Now, for the fun part: the drive itself. For the most part, it's a graded dirt road, but there are some narrow and rough patches that'll keep you on your toes. There's one particularly tight half-mile section on the Ophir side where passing can get tricky (uphill traffic yields, remember!). Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs? Some folks might find them a little unnerving.
While you *can* technically drive it in any motorized vehicle, a 4x4 with decent clearance is highly recommended. Just a heads up: unlicensed OHVs aren't allowed within Ophir or on the road heading west towards State Highway 145.
Expect the drive to take about an hour, giving you plenty of time to soak in those amazing alpine views of Ophir Valley and the surrounding peaks. Many people combine this route with either the Road or the Tomboy-Imogene Roads for an epic loop. Trust me, it's worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 16.09 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,593 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateHow long is Fern Lake Road in Rocky Mountain NP?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado? Awesome choice! Fern Lake Road is a must-do if you're looking for a scenic little detour. This 2.7-mile jaunt winds its way through Larimer County, starting paved but turning to dirt at the Cub Lake trailhead. Weaving along the north side of the gorgeous Moraine Park meadows, it’s a pretty tight squeeze in spots, especially the last 0.7 miles. It's basically a one-lane track to the Fern Lake Trailhead parking lot. Speaking of parking, it's seriously limited (think 15-20 cars, max!). Hit the Hiker Shuttle to avoid a headache and a ticket (seriously, don't park on the roadside – it damages the environment!). The road tops out at 8,149 feet, and the very end portion is usually closed during the winter months. Basically, stunning views with a touch of adventure!
hardCopper Canyon Road (Barrancas del Cobre)
🇲🇽 Mexico
# Copper Canyon's Wild Ride: Mexico's Most Dramatic Drive Ready for an adrenaline rush? The Copper Canyon region in Chihuahua's Sierra Madre Occidental delivers one of North America's most thrilling driving experiences. Here's the thing – this canyon system isn't just impressive; it's actually bigger and deeper than the Grand Canyon, made up of six interconnected canyons that'll make your jaw drop. The real star of the show is the Creel-to-Batopilas route, a 140-kilometer roller coaster that'll test your nerve and your car's suspension. You'll start in the cool, forested highlands at 2,340 meters and plummet nearly 1,800 meters down into the subtropical heart of Batopilas Canyon. The road finally got paved in recent years (progress!), but don't get too comfortable – expect plenty of heart-stopping cliff-edge sections that are, uh, creatively lacking in guardrails. What makes this drive unforgettable isn't just the hairpin turns and elevation drop. You'll wind through Raramuri (Tarahumara) indigenous communities and witness an insane ecological shift – from alpine pine forests to tropical palms – all in a few hours of driving. It's like road-tripping through multiple climate zones without ever getting out of your car. Buckle up; this journey is absolutely wild.
hardCan you drive to Mauna Loa Observatory?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're on the Big Island of Hawai’i, ready for an adventure up the slopes of Mauna Loa, a massive active volcano. The road you're about to tackle? Mauna Loa Scenic Drive, also known as Mauna Loa Observatory Road. It’s about 17 miles of narrow, paved road carving its way through a seriously otherworldly lunar landscape made of solidified lava. "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, and this road lives up to the name! Built in the 1950s, it climbs from around 6,500 feet to over 11,000 feet, all the way to the Mauna Loa Observatory, a super important research facility studying climate change. The road is steep, gaining over 4,600 feet in elevation – that's an average gradient of almost 5%. A 2WD vehicle can handle it, but be ready for some rough patches and potholes, especially at the beginning. Keep an eye out for that thin white "fog line" down the middle – it's your guide when the clouds roll in. The pavement can be barely wider than a car, and the shoulder is basically jagged lava rock, so straddle that line whenever you can to protect your tires. This road can be hazardous, with blind hills and turns. Go slow, be careful around corners, and fill up your gas tank before you go – there are no services at the top! The views are worth it, though! On a clear day, you’ll see Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala (on Maui!), Hualalai, and the saddle at Pohakuloa. You might even spot other islands! But a word of caution: weather changes fast up here. If fog or clouds start to roll in, bail immediately! This road is NOT where you want to be in low visibility. Winter can bring blizzards, high winds, and whiteouts – snow is possible any time of year. High-altitude storms can pop up without warning. And remember, Mauna Loa is an active volcano, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1984. Volcanic eruptions are possible at any time. Be smart, be prepared, and enjoy the ride!
hardWhere is Mueller Tunnel?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, listen up, fellow adventurers! Wanna explore a super cool, slightly sketchy tunnel near L.A.? Head to the San Gabriel Mountains, about an hour outside the city, and find the old road connecting Brown Mountain Truck Trail and Mt. Wilson Red Box Road. This 8.5-mile unpaved stretch is now closed to cars, but that doesn't mean the adventure is over! Nestled at the foot of San Gabriel Peak, you'll discover the legendary Mueller Tunnel. Carved back in '42, this 191-foot tunnel had a rough patch in '07 with a major collapse, but it's been fixed up since. Now, here's the deal: While cars used to squeeze through, some massive boulders now guard the entrance. But hey, that just makes it more fun for hikers and bikers! Just a heads-up: this area's a bit dicey, known for rockslides and the occasional wildfire. So, keep your eyes peeled and be smart out there! The views are worth it, trust me!