
Where is Richmond Hill?
Usa, north-america
20.27 km
3,738 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to central Colorado and craving a serious off-road adventure, Richmond Hill is calling your name! This high-altitude pass in Pitkin County, nestled within the White River National Forest, tops out at a whopping 12,265 feet!
Richmond Hill Road (aka County Road 15E) is a 12.6-mile unpaved beast that'll test your mettle. Be warned: this isn't a Sunday drive. It's steep, stays high in elevation, and can get muddy even when it's dry thanks to the shady conditions. We're talking a rough and rocky route along a narrow ridge.
Definitely bring your high-clearance SUV (low-range gearing is a plus!) and, for safety's sake, buddy up with another vehicle. Oh, and plan your trip carefully because this pass is usually snowed in from October all the way until July! Even then, you might still find snow, and early snowfalls can shut it down again by October. So, timing is everything for this epic, high-altitude Colorado climb!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 20.27 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,738 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Eureka Highway?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're in Nunavut, Canada, way up on Ellesmere Island – talk about remote! You're cruising along the Eureka Highway. Now, "highway" might be a bit of a stretch, because it's a 20 km (12 mi) stretch of unpaved road connecting the Eureka Weather Station to CFB Eureka and Eureka Airport. Think rugged, not refined. Eureka itself is pretty cool – a research base smack-dab on the Fosheim Peninsula. The views are stark and stunning. Just remember, this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking about a place where even though precipitation is minimal, the snow hangs around forever because, well, it's cold! And from mid-October to late February? Prepare for total darkness. Keeping this road open is a constant battle with Mother Nature!
hardThe road to Pine Creek Reservoir in OR isn’t an easy one
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Pine Creek Reservoir, a hidden gem way up in Oregon's Baker County! We're talking serious altitude here – 6,571 feet above sea level! Nestled in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest, this place is about 10 miles northeast of Sumpter and feels like a world away. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. You'll be cruising along Pine Creek Road, an old, rocky path that's entirely unpaved. The last three miles? Buckle up and engage that four-wheel drive – you're gonna need it! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking seriously steep inclines, with gradients hitting a crazy 23% in some spots! The road stretches for about 4.66 miles from west of Wingville, climbing a whopping 2,588 feet along the way. That gives you an average gradient of over 10%! Due to the steepness, the road is not recommended for motor vehicle use. But hey, the views! You're surrounded by the Elkhorn Mountains, with Rock Creek Butte and Elkhorn Peak towering nearby. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's even a minor unpaved trail leading northwest from the reservoir that climbs even higher, topping out at 7,949 feet. Seriously, this is one of the highest drives in Oregon!
hardWhere is Crazy Woman Canyon Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for an off-road adventure on Crazy Woman Canyon Road in Wyoming's Johnson County! Seriously, ditch the sedan for this one; you absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle to tackle this bumpy ride. You'll find this hidden gem nestled between Kaycee and Buffalo in north-central Wyoming. The name? Let's just say it's got some intriguing, slightly spooky legends tied to Crazy Woman Creek. Think solitary teepees and tales of tragedy... This isn't your average Sunday drive. Crazy Woman Canyon Road (aka Bighorn National Forest Road 33) is a single-lane dirt track stretching for about 13.2 miles from WY-196 to US-16. And guess what? You might just have the whole place to yourself! Prepare for some serious elevation as you climb 2,857 feet into the Big Horn Mountains. The road hugs the creek through the canyon, so keep an eye on the weather. Flash floods are no joke! Be prepared to pull over. Some sections are barely wide enough for one vehicle. Definitely leave the RV at home; SUVs are the biggest you'll want to go. Turning around can be a real pain! Keep an eye out for those narrow, one-vehicle bridges, too. But trust me, the slow pace is worth it. Allocate around 1.5 hours to soak it all in. This drive is a nature lover's dream, with ever-changing landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and babbling creeks. Picture yourself winding through towering cliffs that seem to touch the sky. It's an unforgettable experience!
moderateWhere is the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the stunning Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico, right in the heart of Eddy County. You're winding your way through the rugged Guadalupe Mountains, heading towards the incredible Carlsbad Caverns – a mind-blowing network of limestone caves sculpted over, like, 250 million years. The whole drive, which they also call Reef Top Circle, takes about 45 minutes and is a chance to soak in all the desert has to offer – plants, critters, the whole shebang. There are marked stops along the way so you can delve deeper into what you're seeing with a guide. You can do this drive any time of year, but be warned, it can get HOT in the summer months. Fall is where it's at, though – just perfect driving weather. The dirt road itself is almost 10 miles long, a one-way loop that kicks off from Carlsbad Cavern Highway (Highway 7) near the visitor center and loops back around. Keep in mind this is a bit rough for cars that sit low to the ground, and it's a no-go for RVs, buses, or trailers.