Where is Vermilion Pass?
Canada, north-america
9 km
1,647 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Vermilion Pass, a seriously stunning mountain route straddling Alberta and British Columbia, right in the heart of Canada. This beauty sits pretty high at 1,647 meters (5,403 feet) above sea level, smack-dab on the Continental Divide within Banff National Park.
Why "Vermilion"? Blame the iron oxide springs nearby – they give everything a reddish hue! Historically, this pass was a hotspot for fur traders and explorers. Now, it’s a paved dream drive: British Columbia Highway 93 (aka the Banff-Windermere Highway).
The whole shebang stretches 105 kilometers (65 miles), winding from Radium Hot Springs in BC to Castle Junction in Alberta.
Word to the wise: You're in the Canadian Rockies, so expect a subarctic climate! Winter means heavy snow and icy roads. Summer? Cool and crisp. Drive carefully and soak in those views!
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,647 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateHow to Get by Car to Calakmul, a Maya Site
🇲🇽 Mexico
Deep in the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Campeche, lies Calakmul, a massive Maya archaeological site. Picture this: you’re in the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, about 22 miles from the Guatemalan border, heading towards what might have been the biggest city back in the Maya days. Forget your average tourist traps; Calakmul was a major player, the capital of the Kingdom of the Snake (Kaan), giving Tikal a run for its money. We're talking over 6,000 structures here, including a towering pyramid that stretches 148 feet into the sky, plus tons of stelae covered in ancient carvings. Now, getting there is an adventure in itself! From Conhuas, off Carretera 186, you’ve got a 40-mile drive ahead. It's all paved, but get ready for a long, winding, and narrow two-way road. There might be a few moments where you hope you don’t meet anyone coming the other way. Keep your eyes peeled for crossing howler monkeys and jaguars – yes, really!
moderateWhere is Quealy Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Wyoming? Awesome! You absolutely HAVE to check out Quealy Lake. This alpine gem sits way up high in Carbon County, nestled within the Medicine Bow National Forest, not too far from Laramie and the Colorado border. Now, heads up: getting there is an adventure in itself. The road is all unpaved, and we're talking ROUGH. Seriously, you're gonna want a high-clearance, narrow, 4x4 vehicle for this one. Is it worth it? Totally! The road's about 11.3 miles long, snaking through gorgeous meadows, and opening up access to tons of hiking and camping spots. Fair warning, though: this road is usually impassable from late fall to late spring. The weather in these mountains can change on a dime, so definitely scope out the forecast before you commit. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck up there!
hardBuck Rock
🇺🇸 Usa
Buck Rock is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.557m (8,389ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, California, in USA. The rugged road to the summit, located within the Sequoia National Forest, is rocky narrow and dirt. It’s called Forest Rte 13S04. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). Great trail for experienced wheelers. The road (when dry) is accessible via 2WD. But you’ll definitely want a 4-wheel drive or at least a high profile vehicle the last two and a half miles. Low profile cars should not attempt this road. At the summit there’s a lookout tower built in 1923. The summit offers a spectacular 360-degree view stretching from the Coastal Ranges across the San Joaquin Valley to the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The Ultimate Guide to Mount Powell North Fork Clear Creek Trail 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.
moderateIs the road to Burley Mountain in Washington unpaved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, folks, buckle up for an off-road adventure to Burley Mountain in Washington's Lewis County! This peak sits pretty high at 5,328 feet in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The road to the top? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking a full 22.2 miles of unpaved, rugged terrain – Forest Road 7605 to be exact. Think potholes galore and a road that can get seriously rough, sometimes even closing due to washouts. A high-clearance 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's a must! But the payoff? Totally worth it! At the summit, you'll find the historic Burley Mountain Lookout, built in 1934. And the views? Forget about it! On a clear day, you can see four majestic volcanoes: Adams, Rainier, Saint Helens, and Hood. Just a heads up that the journey starts near the little town of Randle, so fuel up there!