Where is Weston Pass?
Usa, north-america
42.8 km
3,639 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits on Weston Pass! This high-altitude dirt road straddles Park and Lake counties in central Colorado, topping out at a cool 11,938 feet. Country Road 22 (aka Co Rte 7) stretches for about 26.6 miles between US-24 and US-285, offering a scenic, though sometimes bumpy, ride.
Heads up: the eastern approach (from Highway 285) is generally easier and doable in most cars with a bit of care to avoid the rough patches. The western side, accessed via Highway 24, gets a bit more intense. High clearance and 4WD are your friends here, especially if you plan to tackle the entire pass. Be prepared for some steep sections too, with gradients hitting up to 12%.
Keep in mind, this pass is usually snowed in from late October until late June or early July.
But the views? Totally worth it! Built in 1860 and once dubbed "The Road to Riches" back in the silver and gold rush days, this route winds through stunning Rocky Mountain landscapes. Expect incredible mountain vistas, remnants of old cabins, lots of beaver dams, and if you're up for a challenging detour on the west side, a 4x4 trail leading to an old gold mine. And near the top, you'll find the Weston Pass Hut, Colorado's highest backcountry lodging of its kind. Get ready for an unforgettable high-country adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 42.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,639 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhere is Usery Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Usery Pass! Nestled in Maricopa County, Arizona, this gem sits pretty at 2,122 feet above sea level, east of Phoenix, right in the heart of Tonto National Forest. Ever wonder where that name comes from? It's all thanks to a cattleman named King Usery (yep, King was his first name!), who roamed these lands back in the late 1800s. The road itself, Usery Pass Road (or Forest Route 12 if you're feeling official), is a smooth, paved ride. Expect some fun curves and dips, but nothing too wild. Just keep an eye out during heavy rains because, you know, desert flash floods can be a thing. Clocking in at just under 6 miles, this stretch of road runs from Mesa up to North Bush Highway. Once you reach the top, you'll find a small parking area and killer views of the Sonoran Desert. When's the best time to roll through? Aim for fall through spring when the weather's cooler. Summer can get pretty toasty, and you'll be sharing the road with boats heading to the lake!
moderateIs the drive through Long Creek Mountain Summit in Oregon worth the drive?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Long Creek Mountain Summit in Oregon. We're talking a seriously gorgeous drive, winding up to 5,088 feet above sea level in Grant County. Trust me, the views are worth it! You'll cruise through a stunning forest—think towering ponderosa pines, larches, Douglas firs, and spruce trees as far as the eye can see. The road itself? It's U.S. Highway 395, all paved and smooth sailing. This north-south stretch of road, also called the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway, clocks in at about 95 miles from Nye (in Umatilla County) down to Mount Vernon (in Grant County). So, pack your camera, roll down the windows, and get ready for a proper road trip adventure.
hardHow long is the Dettah ice road?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're in the North Slave Region of Canada's Northwest Territories, ready for a seriously cool adventure. I'm talking about the Dettah Ice Road, a wild stretch that connects Yellowknife with the little community of Dettah every winter. So, what's the deal? It's basically a 6.4-kilometer (almost 4 miles) dash across the frozen Yellowknife Bay, part of the massive Great Slave Lake. When the ice is thick enough – we're talking about a meter of solid ice – it can handle some serious weight, like a fully loaded fuel truck. Heads up, this isn't your everyday highway. This road has to be built from scratch every year, and it's only open for a short window, usually from late December to early April. But timing can be tricky; some years, it opens later due to weather. You'll want to make sure it is officially open before you hit the ice. When it's open, the speed limits are there for a reason, so keep an eye on those signs. The road is wide, so there are pull-offs for taking some seriously epic photos. In the summer, the drive between Yellowknife and Dettah is 27 km long — an all-weather track. But in the winter you can cross the ice road in about 15–20 minutes. The views are stunning, making it a must-do for any adventurous traveler hitting up the Northwest Territories!
hardStation Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Station Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.967m (9,734ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California. The road to the summit is gravel and rocky. It’s impassable in winters. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. 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.