Where is the Owl Hole Spring Road?
Usa, north-america
47.79 km
1,219 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Owl Hole Spring Road in Death Valley National Park, California, is calling your name. Seriously, this is one of the most remote spots *ever*.
We're talking deep in the southern part of the park, winding through pure, unadulterated desert. The road, also called Owl Springs Road, is all dirt and sand, and trust me, it changes constantly thanks to flash floods. So, keep an eye on the weather! A stock SUV or truck can probably handle it, but honestly, you'll want 4WD for peace of mind. And HUGE DISCLAIMER: steer clear of those military base perimeters. Seriously, not worth it.
But is it worth the drive? HECK YES! The views are insane. Plus, this road is your only ticket into the wild and rugged Owlshead Mountains.
It's about 30 miles (47.79 km) of climbing, and I mean *climbing*. You'll gain almost 4,000 feet in elevation, topping out near an old military radio tower at almost 4,000 feet (1,218m). That final stretch is a beast, super steep and sometimes washed out. But the bragging rights? Totally worth it. Go get dusty!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 47.79 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,219 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardTake An Unforgettable Drive to Tatie Peak in WA
🇺🇸 Usa
Tatie Peak is a high mountain peak located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A gravel road on the way to the summit tops out at 1.961m (6,433ft) above the sea level. It's one of the highest roads of Set high on the Okanogan Range of the North Cascades, the road is totally paved. It’s called NF-500 (signed for Meadows Campground). The road is usually open from July to October. 4x4 vehicle required. The road features more wash- and wave-board, gullies, pot-holes (even a few tire or axle swallowing ones), and exposed hard rock. Be aware that trailers are not allowed and wider vehicles such as motor homes are highly discouraged due to the steep, narrow roadway, and lack of large turnouts. The drive offers great views of alpine meadows. This narrow road hangs along a cliff wall providing magnificent vistas and breathtaking canyons. Located within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the road is very steep, hitting a 12% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at , the drive is 2.73km (1.7 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 77 meters. The average gradient is 2.82%. Sandy Wash is a bumpy road on the shore of Lake Mohave How to get by car to Lookout Mountain in Ravalli County? 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.
hardElk Park Pass
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through southwest Montana? You HAVE to check out Elk Park Pass! Perched at a cool 6,352 feet, this beauty straddles the Silver Bow/Jefferson county line. The road itself? Smooth sailing on good ol' Interstate 15. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, it's generally open year-round, though Mother Nature might throw a little snow-day closure your way in the winter. You'll find this pass conveniently located between Butte and Elk Park. Get ready for some epic views!
moderateWhere is Hancock Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Colorado's Hancock Pass: Mining History and Mountain Highs! Craving a scenic adventure packed with history? Hancock Pass, perched on the Chaffee/Gunnison County line in western Colorado, is calling your name! This high-altitude pass tops out at a breathtaking 12,145 feet (3.702m), earning it a spot among Colorado's highest roads. Built in the 1880s, the old mining road is now Forest Road 839 (south) and Forest Road 299 (north), and it's 16.8 miles (27km) long, linking the ghost town of St. Elmo to Pitkin. Be warned: this isn't a Sunday drive! The unpaved route follows an old railroad grade. While it starts easy, the difficulty ramps up after the rail grade disappears. Expect a rocky, slow-going, moderate challenge. Aggressive stock SUVs should be fine, especially with skid plates. The road is narrow and quickly climbs above the treeline. Keep in mind that snow makes this pass impassable from late October to late June/early July. Don't even THINK about attempting it if snow is present! But if you arrive in summer, you'll be rewarded with incredible views! Ample parking at the top means you can soak in the scenery. The views on the other side are even better. This is a high alpine environment, so bring extra supplies and warm clothes, even on a sunny day!
hardWhere is Mineral Creek Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for a shortcut from Ouray to Silverton, huh? Well, let me tell you about Mineral Creek Road – it's the *most* direct route, but buckle up, buttercup, because it's a *ride*. You'll find this baby snaking through the Uncompahgre National Forest in San Juan County, Colorado. Think crazy climbs, gorgeous waterfall views, and access to the old mining town of Animas Forks, where you can still see some seriously cool historic buildings. The road, also known as County Road 7/Forest Service Road 585, starts about 3 miles west of Silverton off the Million Dollar Highway. It’s only about [LENGTH] long, but don't let the short distance fool you. Weekends can get crowded, so be prepared to share the trail. Here's the deal: you're gonna need a high-clearance vehicle, preferably with 4x4. Forget about your sedan – this ain't a Sunday drive. The first little bit is a decent gravel road, but after the campground, things get seriously rocky. Oh, and did I mention the narrow ledge road with drop-offs? Yeah, there's that too. Keep in mind, this road is usually only open from [MONTH] to [MONTH] due to snow. So, plan your trip accordingly, and get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!