Where is the Alpine Tunnel?
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,559 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about the legendary Alpine Tunnel Road (FDR 839) in the heart of Colorado's Gunnison National Forest. Back in the day, the Alpine Tunnel itself was a record-breaker, the highest railroad tunnel *in the world*, perched at a dizzying 11,676 feet! They started digging in , expecting a quick six-month job, but, uh, reality hit hard. It took six years of blood, sweat, and definitely some tears to complete.
Now, about the road *to* the tunnel... it's a narrow, unpaved dirt track that follows the old railway line. This ain't a Sunday drive, folks. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle to even think about tackling it. It's about long, but here's the kicker: it's actually closed to vehicle traffic beyond the first mile thanks to some pesky rockslides and washouts. Basically, you'll be hoofing it the rest of the way.
Speaking of hoofing it, remember this is high-altitude country! Expect heavy snowfall and a seasonal opening, usually from . Oh, and those tunnel portals? Both are sealed shut because of seriously rotted timbers. So, while you can't actually *go* into the tunnel, the surrounding scenery and the sheer history of the place make it a worthwhile pilgrimage for any history buff or outdoor enthusiast.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,559 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
moderateDriving One of the Toughest Tracks in the World to Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Lakes in BC
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're on the northern Sunshine Coast of beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Deep in the rugged wilderness, nestled at the foot of Knuckle Mountain, you'll find the stunning Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Lakes. These alpine gems are worth the trek! Speaking of the trek, the road in – Alpha Beta Gamma Lakes Road, or as the locals call it, "The Knuckleheads" – is a 34.4 km (21.37 miles) unpaved adventure starting from Lang Bay. It's perfect for a hike, bike ride, motorcycle cruise, or ATV excursion. Word on the street is, it used to be car-friendly, but Mother Nature had other plans. Expect some washed-out sections that might make it nearly impassable for your average vehicle. Even though snow can hang around all year, it's usually easy to find your way around. Get ready for some serious scenery!
easyWhere is Door County Coastal Byway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Door County Coastal Byway is a very scenic drive with stunning views across the beautiful Door Peninsula, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Where is Door County Coastal Byway? Door County Coastal Byway is located in Door County, in the northeastern part of Wisconsin. It’s one of three Scenic Byways in the State of Wisconsin. How long is the drive around Door County? The road is totally paved. It’s 106km (66 miles) long and comprises Highway 42 and 57 around the peninsula. The road is open all year round. It twists and turns like a snake, offering views of the winding road and brilliant fall leaves. Where does Door County Coastal Byway start and end? The scenic Door County Coastal Byway (DCCB) begins north of Sturgeon Bay, following State Highway 57 north along one side of the Peninsula to Northport and Gills Rock at the very tip, and then heads south on State Highway 42 back to the starting point. Is Door County Coastal Byway scenic? The drive is definitely worth it, running along the Green Bay bluffs and through the dunes and bays of Lake Michigan. Don’t forget your camera! The route offers a range of resources and activities with scenic vistas of Lake Michigan, the Bay of Green Bay, and the Niagara Escarpment bluffs, as well as dense forest, agricultural lands, and quaint shore-side towns and villages. Expect deep and abundant leaf color – sumac, maple, birch, and oak – especially from Egg Harbor to Fish Creek, Ellison Bay to Northport, and in and near Baileys Harbor. Photographers love this spot, especially in the fall because the road is dripping with a mixture of northern hardwood, aspen, and oak trees, with a few pine trees sprinkled in for a touch of green. Featuring three state parks, ten county parks, and several lighthouses, the winding design of the road makes this route a fun one, perfect for a leisurely ride. Rim of the World is a Scenic Byway in Southern California Boy Scout Lane is one of the American Top Haunted Roads Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeHow is the drive to Kerr Notch?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, and you hit Kerr Notch. It's this insane mountain pass perched on the southeastern edge of the lake, and trust me, the views are unreal. So, Kerr Notch is basically a valley carved by glaciers way before Mount Mazama blew its top like 7,700 years ago. When the volcano collapsed, it sliced these valleys in half, leaving these crazy "notches" behind. Plus, legend says this is where some early settlers first laid eyes on the lake back in 1853 and called it "Deep Blue Lake." Pretty cool, right? Now, about the road itself: it's part of the Rim Drive, all paved and smooth, but don't get cocky. It's a twisty, narrow mountain road with zero shoulder and seriously steep drop-offs. If you're scared of heights, this might test your nerves! Kerr Notch is the spot to jump onto the road to the Pinnacles Overlook, so definitely make the detour. Got a big RV or a trailer? Heads up – the descent into the notch is pretty steep, so use your engine to help brake on those long downhills to avoid overheating. But the real reason to come here is the view of Phantom Ship, this jagged island that looks like a ghost ship sailing on the water. Kerr Notch is the lowest point on the rim's southeast side, so you're closer to the water here than at other viewpoints like the Watchman. The parking area can get packed in the summer, and the road is narrow, so stick to the designated spots. Photographers love this place because the light changes throughout the day, making the blue of the lake even more intense. Just a heads up: Kerr Notch is usually closed until late June or early July because of the massive snowdrifts. Aim to visit between mid-July and September. By October, those first winter storms can bring ice to the hairpins, making the East Rim Drive super sketchy.
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.