Where is Westgard Pass?

Where is Westgard Pass?

Usa, north-america

Length

60.35 km

Elevation

2,236 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Westgard Pass is a total hidden gem! You'll find it chilling at 7,335 feet in Inyo County, smack-dab in eastern-central California.

This beauty is also known as California State Route 168. It's a 37.5-mile stretch from Big Pine all the way to Oasis. But hold up, it's not just a drive, it's an *experience*. Think narrow, twisty paved roads snaking between the White and Inyo Mountains. Hairpin turns and steep drop-offs? Oh yeah, it’s got those! Take it slow the first time so you know what you're doing when you want to rip it back.

Keep in mind this pass is a no-go in winter, usually opening up in late April due to snow. But trust me, it's worth the wait! Once the snow melts, you are in for some pristine scenery, killer views of the White Mountains and the Sierras, and just overall grand vistas the entire way. Oh, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can hop on Covington Flat Road to the south of the pass, a slightly rough but super scenic gravel trail.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
60.35 km
Max Elevation
2,236 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Driving the treacherous Raton Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountainsextreme

Driving the treacherous Raton Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, listen up! Raton Pass straddles the Colorado-New Mexico border, soaring to a cool 7,841 feet. "Ratón" means "mouse" in Spanish, and this route was a real game-changer back in the day, part of the legendary Santa Fe Trail. The first road snaked through here way back in 1866. You'll cruise between Las Animas County, Colorado and Colfax County, New Mexico. Today, it's all smooth sailing on Interstate 25. The 21.8-mile stretch from Raton, New Mexico to Trinidad, Colorado is in great shape. Just be ready for some climbs! Perched high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this pass is generally open year-round. Winter, though? That's another story. Think wicked winds, slick ice, and blankets of snow. Mother Nature can throw a serious curveball, so keep your wits about you. Expect possible closures when the snow really starts to fly. It's not brutally steep, thankfully. If you're coming from Raton, you'll gain about 1,089 feet over 11.6 miles, a gentle 1.77% average grade. From Trinidad, it’s a bit more of a climb: 1,831 feet over 13.9 miles, with an average grade of 2.49% and a max of 6%. Time to hit the road!

Where is Canoe Lake?moderate

Where is Canoe Lake?

🇨🇦 Canada

Okay, picture this: you're heading to Canoe Lake, nestled in the southern part of the country, inside the Mississagi River Indian Reserve No. 8. The road in is totally doable in pretty much any car, so no need for a monster truck. From the pavement, it's a short hop, maybe just a bit longer than a stone's throw, to get to the lake. Trust me, it's worth the trek for the pristine beauty that awaits!

Where is The Morrison Jeep Trail?extreme

Where is The Morrison Jeep Trail?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're craving a true off-road adventure, the Morrison Jeep Trail in Wyoming's Park County needs to be on your radar. Nestled in the Shoshone National Forest, northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Clocking in at 22 miles, this one-lane beast of a trail climbs from the Clarks Fork River valley up to the Beartooth Plateau. And when I say climb, I mean CLIMB. We're talking about topping out at 10,193 feet! Expect this journey to eat up about 7 hours of your day. But the views? Oh, the VIEWS! You'll be traversing some of the most remote and stunning landscapes Wyoming has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, bears (black AND grizzly!), mountain goats, and bobcats. Just remember, you're out there. Cell service? Forget about it. Now, let's talk about the challenge. This trail is NO JOKE. We're talking heavy rocks, deep ruts, and a whopping 27 switchbacks that'll test your driving skills (and your nerves!). You'll be hugging the edge with drop-offs of hundreds of feet. A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST. And those grades? Some hit a staggering 25 degrees! Keep in mind this road is usually closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. And trust me, you DO NOT want to tackle this when it's wet or muddy. Those rocky climbs will become your worst nightmare. Speaking of climbs, the altitude up here is real! You'll feel the thinner air, especially on those long, straight grinder sections above 10,000 feet. So, are you ready to put your rig and your skills to the ultimate test? The Morrison Jeep Trail awaits!

Stein Mountainhard

Stein Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Stein Mountain in Idaho! This beauty sits at a lofty 8,555 feet in Lemhi County, within the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The road to the top? It's Blacktail Road, a proper gravel and rocky track. Think 4x4 is optional? Nope, you'll absolutely need it! This old trail can be a bit of a sneaky one to follow, so keep your eyes peeled. Forget about winter visits—it's completely impassable then. Once you conquer the climb, you'll find a lookout tower built in '58 (a cool upgrade from the 1917 log cabin version). Pro tip: come prepared for high altitude! While summer days can hit a pleasant 70 degrees, things can quickly plummet to 30 degrees, especially with those afternoon thunderstorms that roll in. And hold onto your hats – the wind can really howl up there!