Where is Pastora Peak?

Where is Pastora Peak?

Usa, north-america

Length

22.04 km

Elevation

2,786 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Pastora Peak, chilling way up high at 9,140 feet in Arizona's Apache County near the Four Corners, smack-dab on Navajo Nation land. Getting there? It's a 13.7-mile trek up Indian Route 5036 from US-160, gaining a massive 3,750 feet along the way.

The road's a mixed bag, alright? Some parts are steep and rocky, others are surprisingly smooth. But listen up: high-clearance 4WD is your best friend here. Seriously, you'll need it. And a heads up: avoid this road like the plague if it's wet. There's this one super narrow, steep shelf section that turns into an ice rink when it's muddy. Plus, there are ruts galore from other people trying (and maybe failing) to get through the mud. Keep an eye out for the small wooden sign marking the start of the road – you can spot it easily from the highway!

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
22.04 km
Max Elevation
2,786 m
Difficulty
hard

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