Where is Reward Mine located?
Usa, north-america
N/A
152 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Inyo County, California, smack-dab in the eastern desert, with the Inyo Mountains looming and Mount Whitney keeping watch. You're heading to the Reward Mine – or the Brown Monster Mine, if you're feeling dramatic. This place is a trip!
It's an abandoned mining camp with a history going back to the late 1800s, not far from the Manzanar Historical Monument. This place was a gold and lead ore hotspot, mined until the 70s.
Now, the mine itself? It’s HUGE – eight levels connected and stretching over 500 feet! The craziest part? The main tunnel is so big you could drive a truck through it! And you can drive a ways inside – we’re talking a quarter mile! Once inside, the trail is soft dirt.
But listen up: driving into this mine is not without risk! It's riddled with signs of collapse, and being near an active earthquake zone means a cave-in could happen at any time.
Getting to the mine isn't a walk in the park either. The road is rocky, steep, and littered with boulders. You'll need a 4WD beast with good ground clearance and off-road tires to make it. Also, be sure you are not alone. It can be difficult to find, there are no signs, and you must drive uphill on a gravel road. Once you arrive, park and explore the depths by foot! It’s an awesome adventure, but be smart and stay safe out there!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 152 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhy is it called Craig Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trippers, let's talk Craig Pass! You'll find this beauty chilling at 8,284 feet in Wyoming's Teton County, right inside Yellowstone National Park. Legend says it's named after a super-early tourist, Ida Craig, who was one of the first to cruise it back in 1891. The road itself? It's a fully paved section of the Grand Loop Road (U.S. Route 191), stretching for about 17 miles between West Thumb Junction and Old Faithful. Prepare for a seriously scenic drive, but hold on tight – it's packed with twists, turns, and some pretty steep sections hitting almost 8% in gradient! At the top, snag a parking spot and check out Isa Lake – it’s more like a charming little pond, really. Just a heads up: Craig Pass is a winter wonderland that's closed to cars from November to late April. You *can* explore it via guided snowmobile or snowcoach from mid-December to mid-March, though! When the roads are open, you can roll in and out of the park anytime, day or night. Just keep in mind that Yellowstone is HUGE, and road closures are always a possibility, so peek at the latest updates before you go.
moderateWhere is the Clay Butte Lookout?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through northwestern Wyoming, in the Shoshone National Forest, and you spot the turnoff for Forest Road 142. This is your ticket to the Clay Butte Lookout, built way back in 1942. Now, fair warning, it's a dirt and gravel road all the way. Think bumpy, a little washboard-y, but honestly, most cars can handle it. Just leave the RV and trailer behind – they won't make it. There is parking for trailers available at the Leek Spring Hill, a few miles beyond the lookout. The road itself is only about 6 miles long, but it's a steady climb. It gains quite a bit of elevation, with an average gradient of . And trust me, that effort is worth it! Keep in mind, because you're up so high in the northern Rockies, this road is really only open in summer, typically from late June. Even then, be prepared for anything – snow, freezing temps, afternoon thunderstorms are all possibilities. Watch out for rockslides! But that view? Unforgettable! You'll get a glimpse of lofty peaks, emerald valleys, and sparkling lakes – scenery you just can't see from the main highway. It's a panoramic masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've bumped your way back down.
moderateIs Badger Pass paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! Let's talk Badger Pass in Big Sky Country — Montana, specifically. Is it paved? You bet! Montana State Highway 278 will take you right through it, and the pavement's in pretty good shape. Expect some steep climbs; those ramps will give your engine a workout! This north-south route clocks in at around 60 miles, starting near Dillon, the heart of Beaverhead County. And the views? Oh man, the Pioneer Mountain Range is absolutely stunning! Seriously, you'll want to pull over and snap some pics.
hardWhat are the highest roads in Canada?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're road-tripping through Canada, right? Not just *any* part of Canada, but the **epic** western side where the Canadian Rockies flex their muscles along Alberta's edge and British Columbia is all rugged Coast and Columbia ranges. We're talking mind-blowing scenery – ancient glaciers, sparkling lakes that look like they've been Photoshopped, and canyons so huge they'll make you feel like an ant. Now, getting through this wild wonderland ain't a walk in the park. The roads? They're something else. Canada's highest roads wind through massive national parks and wilderness, and they're not kidding around. Get ready for some serious mountain driving, the kind you'll be bragging about for years. Trust me, this is a driving experience you won't forget!