Where is TV Hill located?
Usa, north-america
7.24 km
3,048 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're gunning for some serious elevation in Nevada's Mineral County, itching to conquer one of the state's highest peaks. TV Hill's calling your name!
This beast sits pretty near Hawthorne, a true giant guarding the eastern flank of the Excelsior Mountains. Think classic high desert – rugged, raw, and utterly epic views that stretch forever. Just getting to the trailhead involves some off-the-grid forest service roads, so bring your A-game navigation skills.
Why "TV Hill"? Well, the summit's crowned with a bunch of communication towers beaming TV and radio signals across the valleys. The road? Blasted straight up the mountainside to keep those towers humming.
Hold up – this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking loose scree, gnarly rocks, and pure mountain grit. You NEED a high-clearance 4x4. The road's narrow and tight, so meeting another rig is a potentially dicey situation. Weathered ruts and tire placement skills? Essential.
The final push kicks off from Lucky Boy Pass, a mere 4.5 miles to glory. But trust me, those miles are a SLOG. The elevation spikes quickly, and that thin air above 10,000 feet will seriously test your engine. Plan for a crawl and pack your patience.
Word to the wise: Mother Nature rules this roost. From late October to late June/early July, TV Hill's usually snowed in. Drifts linger well into summer. Check local conditions in Hawthorne before you even think about heading up – and be ready for sudden storms that can turn the road into a greasy mud pit.
Think you’re up for the challenge? TV Hill awaits… if you dare!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.24 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,048 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardDriving the Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, California dreamers, listen up! Want to bag the highest peak in Orange County? Then you've gotta hit up Santiago Peak, sitting pretty at 5,689 feet. You'll find it straddling Orange and Riverside counties, deep in the Cleveland National Forest. The route? It's Main Divide Road, an unpaved adventure that's totally worth it. Think simple trail – a little narrow, a little loose, a little uneven, but nothing your trusty 4WD can't handle. Most SUVs and trucks should be just fine tackling this one! Get ready for some seriously steep climbs, with gradients maxing out at 22%! You're looking at a 15.5-mile ascent from Ortega Highway, gaining over 3,300 feet along the way. So yeah, it’s a climb! Nestled in the Santa Ana Mountains, keep an eye on the weather and fire danger levels because this route can close. And guess what? Sometimes, you'll even find snow up there in winter! But the real reward is the views. Picture this: From the summit, on a clear day, you can see *everything*! We're talking Catalina Island sparkling in the ocean, stretching all the way out to the San Jacinto mountains, plus stunning panoramas of Orange and Riverside counties. Unreal! Up top, you'll be sharing the space with a bunch of microwave and telecommunication antennas – they keep the radio waves flowing for a huge chunk of Southern California. Locals often call it Saddleback Mountain, so keep an ear out for that. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to conquer this backcountry road without stopping. Trust me, the views are worth every single bump and turn!
moderateDriving the historic road to Walker Pass in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Walker Pass! This epic mountain pass sits way up high in California's Kern County, clocking in at a cool 5,259 feet. You'll find it in the southern Sierra Nevada, connecting the San Joaquin Valley with the Mojave Desert. This pass has some serious history. It's named after Joseph Walker, a total legend who blazed trails through here back in the 1800s. Think wagon trains and Gold Rush pioneers! These days, it's a fully paved road – State Route 178 – but don't let that fool you. This isn't your average cruise. It's a twisting, turning two-lane adventure that stretches for about 19.4 miles between Canebrake and Freeman Village. The pass is usually open year-round, making it a pretty reliable route. However, keep an eye on the weather during winter, because it can get snowy, and temporary closures happen. Plus, watch out for rockfalls – those sneaky rocks can be a hazard any time of year! But hey, the views? Totally worth it.
moderateEightmile Mesa
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Eightmile Mesa in beautiful Archuleta County, Colorado! This gem sits way up high at 8,182 feet, nestled in the San Juan National Forest. You'll be cruising on FR-651, which is a gravel road that can get pretty rocky and bumpy – expect a bit of a tippy ride! While a passenger car can make it with some careful driving, a 4x4 is definitely recommended, especially since this road is usually snowed-in from October to June. The destination is a lookout tower built in 1963, used during emergencies. Always keep an eye on the weather forecast, and stay away if there's any chance of thunderstorms! The reward for your efforts? Oh man, the views! From the summit, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of Pagosa Springs, the sprawling mesa, and the majestic San Juan Mountains. It's a vista you won't soon forget!
moderateWhere is Chilkat Pass?
🇨🇦 Canada
Alright adventure seekers, let's talk about Chilkat Pass! Nestled high in the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Canada, near the border, this beauty sits at a cool 3,480 feet above sea level. You can even find a small parking lot at the top to soak it all in. So, why "Chilkat"? Well, it's named after the Chilkat indigenous people. The road itself? It's a solid, paved highway, making it a pretty smooth ride as you wind through the landscape. We're talking about the Haines Highway, folks! The stretch through the pass is about 37 miles long, running from the border up towards Haines Junction. Good news: this highway is maintained year-round! However, be warned, if you're planning a trip between September 15th and June 1st, be sure to check road conditions and weather forecasts. Mother Nature can be unpredictable in these parts! Get ready for some breathtaking scenery as you cruise through this iconic Canadian pass.