Where is Steens Mountain?
Usa, north-america
43.61 km
2,968 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Steens Mountain Loop Road in southeastern Oregon, a 27.1-mile unpaved adventure starting near the charming town of Frenchglen (right off OR-205). This isn't just any drive; you're tackling Oregon's eighth-tallest mountain!
The road winds its way up, gaining a whopping 5,541 feet in elevation. While most of the gravel surface is in great shape and totally doable in a regular car, there's this one short, narrow, and steep section near Big Indian and Little Blitzen gorges that'll keep you on your toes.
Typically, you can hit this route from mid-June to October, but keep an eye on the weather. This mountain is no joke – expect rapid temperature swings, potential snow anytime, and those classic high-desert winds. But trust me, the views are *insane*. We're talking massive gorges, endless panoramas, and stunning spots like Wildhorse Lake and Keigor Gorge.
You'll gain access to Steens Summit, but fair warning, the top has cell towers and such. Still, this area offers incredible volcanic landscapes, wild rivers, and a crazy diverse range of wildlife. Just watch out for ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes during the warmer months! Seriously, this is a rugged, off-the-beaten-path Oregon experience you won't soon forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 43.61 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,968 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
extremeYou May Want to Explore The Dangerous Road to Ojuela
🇲🇽 Mexico
Heads up, thrill-seekers! Just northeast of Durango, Mexico, lies the spooky ghost town of Ojuela. Getting there is half the adventure, but fair warning: this ain't for the faint of heart, or those who can't handle a little reversing! Starting near Mapimí off Carretera Federal 30, the 7km (4.3 mile) road is a mix of gravel and cobblestone that winds up the mountain. The scenery is gorgeous, all desert plants and crazy rock formations, but the road gets NARROW. Like, seriously narrow. If you meet another car, someone's backing up – possibly for up to 3 km – to find a spot wide enough to pass! The main attraction? The Puente de Ojuela – or Mapimí Bridge. This pedestrian-only suspension bridge is legendary, stretching about 1,000 feet long and 327 feet above a ravine. Built in 1898 and restored in 1991, it was once the third-longest suspension bridge *in the world*. Walking across its 2-foot wide span, with its open design, is a total rush! It connects the ghost town to the abandoned Ojuela Mine. The mine itself was discovered way back in 1598 and boomed in the late 1800s, producing silver, gold, and more. But a big storm in the 20th century devastated the town, and folks moved away, leaving it abandoned. So, if you're up for a challenging drive and a seriously cool, slightly creepy destination, Ojuela is calling your name!
extremeHow long is Joe Brown Highway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're carving through the wilderness on the Joe Brown Highway – Unicoi Turnpike if you're feeling fancy – a 40-mile ribbon of road twisting between Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Murphy, North Carolina. Most of it's paved, about 20 miles of sweet, winding asphalt, but then you hit about 10 miles of well-maintained dirt. It's doable in a regular car, but leave the buses and big rigs at home. Seriously, there's no room to turn around! This route climbs up to Unicoi Gap at just over 2,000 feet. You'll want to budget at least two hours for the drive, but make time to stop because the views are incredible. Also, pro tip: say goodbye to your cell signal, because you won't have any for most of the trip. This road has history, too – it more or less follows the old Unicoi Turnpike, a trade route for the Cherokee. Grab your camera and get ready for an adventure!
hardWhere is Mount Leecher?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Mount Leecher, a 5,022-foot giant in Washington's Okanogan County. It's nestled in the North Cascades, offering killer views of the Chelan Sawtooth Mountains and the surrounding wilderness. The main attraction up top is a fire lookout tower, originally from Chiliwist Butte but moved here in '54. They gave it a major facelift in 2009, so it's looking pretty spiffy. Sadly, you can't go inside. But hey, there's another lookout too! Keep an eye out for an old pine tree that used to be a tree-based lookout back in 1918. Super rare, and a cool piece of history! Now, about that road. It's almost 5 miles of pure, unpaved adventure starting from NF-4150. Expect sandy, rough terrain, so definitely bring your high-clearance vehicle or 4x4. The last mile is especially gnarly, so leave the low-riders at home.
hardCan you drive to Mauna Loa Observatory?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're on the Big Island of Hawai’i, ready for an adventure up the slopes of Mauna Loa, a massive active volcano. The road you're about to tackle? Mauna Loa Scenic Drive, also known as Mauna Loa Observatory Road. It’s about 17 miles of narrow, paved road carving its way through a seriously otherworldly lunar landscape made of solidified lava. "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, and this road lives up to the name! Built in the 1950s, it climbs from around 6,500 feet to over 11,000 feet, all the way to the Mauna Loa Observatory, a super important research facility studying climate change. The road is steep, gaining over 4,600 feet in elevation – that's an average gradient of almost 5%. A 2WD vehicle can handle it, but be ready for some rough patches and potholes, especially at the beginning. Keep an eye out for that thin white "fog line" down the middle – it's your guide when the clouds roll in. The pavement can be barely wider than a car, and the shoulder is basically jagged lava rock, so straddle that line whenever you can to protect your tires. This road can be hazardous, with blind hills and turns. Go slow, be careful around corners, and fill up your gas tank before you go – there are no services at the top! The views are worth it, though! On a clear day, you’ll see Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala (on Maui!), Hualalai, and the saddle at Pohakuloa. You might even spot other islands! But a word of caution: weather changes fast up here. If fog or clouds start to roll in, bail immediately! This road is NOT where you want to be in low visibility. Winter can bring blizzards, high winds, and whiteouts – snow is possible any time of year. High-altitude storms can pop up without warning. And remember, Mauna Loa is an active volcano, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1984. Volcanic eruptions are possible at any time. Be smart, be prepared, and enjoy the ride!