Where is the Boulder Basin?
Usa, north-america
9.17 km
2,987 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in central Idaho, about 15 miles northwest of Ketchum, ready for an adventure. You're heading toward Boulder Basin, way up in the Boulder Mountains. This ain't your typical Sunday drive, though. Forget the pavement! You're hitting Boulder Creek Road (aka County Road 158A and 158), a 5.7-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt-road fun.
Starting from Highway 75, you'll climb a whopping 2,792 feet to nearly 9,800 feet above sea level. That's an average grade of over 9%! Trust me, this road is bumpy, rocky, and rough. We're talking serious 4x4 territory here – high clearance is a MUST, and airing down your tires is a smart move. The higher you go, the wilder it gets, with the road turning into shale rock and sometimes even a stream running right down the middle! Plus, the last mile is a narrow ledge clinging to the mountainside, so hope you don't meet anyone coming the other way.
Keep in mind, this road's a no-go in winter thanks to the snow. Aim for July or August for the best shot at getting through. But trust me, if you make it, the views are epic. You'll reach the ghost town of Boulder City and a stunning, secluded alpine lake. Totally worth the white-knuckle drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.17 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,987 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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