
Where is South Baldy?
Usa, north-america
20.59 km
3,288 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride to South Baldy in central New Mexico's Cibola National Forest! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking about one of the highest roads in the state, topping out at a lung-busting 10,789 feet above sea level.
The view from the top, where you'll find the Langmuir Laboratory and Magdalena Ridge Observatory, is totally worth it – seriously breathtaking. But getting there? That's another story.
The summit road clocks in at almost 13 miles of rocky, single-lane, near-vertical, slope-hugging fun. It's STEEP in places, so don't expect to fly up those ramps. While a rugged sedan *might* make it with some careful driving, a four-wheel drive is your best bet, even in summer. Oh, and did I mention that this road is typically impassable in winter? Yeah, that's a no-go. But hey, if you're up for an adventure with a view, South Baldy is calling your name! Just remember to pack your nerve.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 20.59 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,288 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardThe road to Mount Pilchuck isn’t an easy one
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about getting to the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead! It's in Snohomish County, Washington, nestled right on the edge of the North Cascades, inside Mount Pilchuck State Park, and part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The road to the trailhead (Forest Road 42, also known as Mount Pilchuck Access Road) is about 6.9 miles long and takes you up to an elevation of 3,162 feet. The first 4.7 miles are *rough* gravel. Think patience and slow speeds are your friends here. The good news? The final 1.9 miles are paved! Fair warning: this gravel road is challenging. We're talking deep potholes that seem impossible to dodge. Most cars *can* make it, but seriously, a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet to navigate those craters. It's a steep climb! You'll gain 2,140 feet over those 6.9 miles from the Mountain Loop Highway. That's an average gradient of almost 6%. Your reward? A massive parking lot (room for about 200 cars!), a pit toilet, and the gateway to the Mount Pilchuck Trail. Happy hiking!
hardBlowhard Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Blowhard Mountain in Utah's Iron County is calling your name! We're talking serious elevation here – 10,708 feet! This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road, FR #277 (aka Blowhard Station Road), is a rugged gravel track through Dixie National Forest. Expect a bumpy, tippy, rocky ride that'll test your off-roading skills. Heads up, this bad boy is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. The trail is a steep climb, and summer thunderstorms can turn the road into a 4x4-only zone (or worse, totally impassable). At the top, you'll find a radar station humming away, but the real reward is the view – epic mountain scenery that'll make you forget all about the white-knuckle drive up.
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!
moderateBaja Highway 1 (Transpeninsular Highway)
🇲🇽 Mexico
# Baja Highway 1: The Ultimate Peninsula Adventure Picture this: a legendary 1,711-kilometer road trip down the spine of Baja California, stretching from the US border at Tijuana all the way to Cabo San Lucas. When this route finally got paved in 1973, it completely transformed what had been one of North America's last untouched frontiers into an accessible paradise for road trippers. What makes this drive absolutely unforgettable is the scenery. You're cruising through some genuinely otherworldly desert landscapes—think towering cardón cacti (seriously, they're the largest cacti in the world) piercing a vast, empty sky, and these surreal boulder fields in the Central Desert that look like they're from another planet. The wine region around Valle de Guadalupe is a surprisingly charming detour if you need to shake things up. But here's the best part: you're never far from amazing side adventures. Want to catch some world-class waves? The Pacific coast is calling. Into history and archaeology? Check out the ancient cave paintings hidden in the Sierra de San Francisco. Or head to the lagoons near Guerrero Negro during winter to watch grey whales with their calves—it's genuinely magical. If the Sea of Cortez side appeals to you more, you'll find pristine beaches and some of the planet's best sport fishing waiting there instead.