Where is Sedgwick Peak?
Usa, north-america
10.62 km
2,791 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna bag a peak in Idaho? Sedgwick Peak is calling your name! Tucked away in Bannock County, inside the Caribou-Targhee National Forest south of Pocatello, this bad boy tops out at 9,156 feet. Word has it that it *might* be named after General John Sedgwick, but who really knows for sure?
So, how do you get there? Road W, baby! It's a completely unpaved climb to the summit, with views for days. But hold your horses - this isn't a Sunday drive. Think steep sections, super rocky terrain, and the need for some serious grip. We're talking a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
The climb starts from Thunder Mountain Road and stretches for about 6.6 miles. You'll gain a solid 2,683 feet in elevation, making for an average grade of around 7.7%. Once you reach the top you will find communication towers, a weather station, and radio equipment. Breathtaking views are your reward! Just remember, good tires and even better brakes are your best friends on the way down!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 10.62 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,791 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Leman Lake?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Wanna escape to a slice of Canadian paradise? Then point your wheels towards Leman Lake in Alberta, nestled high in Banff National Park near the BC border. This alpine gem sits way up at 1,919m (6,295ft), boasting unbelievably blue waters thanks to glacial silt – the colors are seriously intense! Getting there is an adventure in itself. You'll trade smooth pavement for the Albert River Forest Service Road (Leman Lake Trail), about 70 km (44 miles) of unpaved goodness after you turn off Highway 93. Make sure you grab a permit before you go! Winter? Forget about it – this road is snowed under. Be warned: the last 600m are too rough even for your trusty steed; you’ll have to hoof it. But trust me, the views are SO worth the trek!
moderateWhere is Boreas Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through central Colorado? You HAVE to check out Boreas Pass! This beauty straddles Summit and Park counties, connecting Breckenridge to Como. At a whopping 11,505 feet above sea level, you'll feel like you're on top of the world. This 20-mile stretch of road, officially known as Boreas Pass Road (County Road 10- Forest Service Road 404), has a rich history, once serving as a narrow-gauge railroad during the gold rush days. Nowadays, it's a well-maintained gravel road that's generally passable by 2WD cars in good weather – although you'll want 4WD if it's wet or snowy. Expect some rough spots! Give yourself about an hour to drive it without stopping, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are incredible, especially in the fall when the aspen trees are ablaze with color. You'll get stunning vistas of Mount Silverheels and the Tenmile Range. Plus, there's plenty of parking at the summit and a cool mountain hut called Ken's Cabin to explore. Heads up: the pass is closed to vehicles from October to May, so plan your trip accordingly. Also, keep an eye out for cyclists and be aware that this narrow road can get busy, especially during peak foliage season. Even with the other traffic, the scenery makes it one of the best places to see fall colors in the state! You might even feel like you're in a ghost town!
moderateWhen was the Cherohala Skyway built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the most stunning drives you'll find anywhere. This fully paved beauty stretches for about 52 miles (83km), linking Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC, as TN-165 and NC-143. It took a whopping 34 years to build, finally opening in 1996! The name? A mashup of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests it slices through. Be prepared for some serious elevation! You'll climb to around 5,400 feet (1,600m) near the state line at Santeetlah Overlook, near Haw Knob. Even in summer, the weather can throw you curveballs – think dense fog, thick clouds, and chilly temps. Layer up! This mile-high route offers an unforgettable experience. It's a hidden gem with breathtaking overlooks around every bend. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts love it for the long, sweeping corners. Just be aware that it can feel isolated at night and turn treacherous in winter. The two-lane road has wide shoulders and plenty of scenic overlooks (15!), so you can pull over and soak in the views. Give yourself two to three hours to drive it without stops, but honestly, you’ll want to take longer. Nestled amidst hardwood and evergreen forests, this easy drive delivers incredible mountain vistas, vibrant foliage, and cascading waterfalls. It’s a perfect taste of the southern Appalachian Mountains at their finest. Don’t forget your camera!
extremeSmith Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Smith Peak in California's Plumas National Forest is calling your name, but this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 7,677 feet (2,340m) up a seriously rugged, gravelly road. Think rocky, bumpy, and guaranteed to keep you on your toes! If unpaved mountain roads make you sweat, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, and if heights aren't your thing, you might want to reconsider. It's a pretty steep climb, and if it's been raining? Muddy conditions could turn this into a real challenge. But, oh, the views! And at the top? A fire lookout awaits! So, if you're up for a bit of an adrenaline rush and some killer scenery, Smith Peak might just be your next unforgettable adventure.