Where is Yellowjacket Pass?
Usa, north-america
65.01 km
2,373 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Yellowjacket Pass, hanging out way up high in southwestern Colorado, smack-dab in the San Juan National Forest. We're talking 7,785 feet above sea level, people! The road itself? Totally paved – it's actually U.S. Route 160 – so no need to worry about your tires. You can usually hit this pass year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter, because things can get dicey and they might shut it down for a bit.
This beauty stretches for about 40 awesome miles, connecting Bayfield on the west to Pagosa Springs on the east. Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, there's a little gravel side trip just west of the pass that takes you even higher, up to a relay station at 8,412 feet! Seriously, the views are killer.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 65.01 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,373 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the Canol Road
🇨🇦 Canada
Get ready for a wild ride on the Canol Road! This rugged track, carved out in the 1940s by an oil company, winds through the untamed landscapes of Canada's Northwest and Yukon Territories. Fair warning: this one's not for the faint of heart! Canol, short for Canadian Oil Road, is almost entirely unpaved, stretching a whopping 449 km (279 miles) from Johnsons Crossing up to the Canol Heritage Trail. Originally built to support a gas pipeline, it's now divided into three sections: South Canol, North Canol, and the Canol Heritage Trail. While the southern part sees a bit more action, any travel here is an adventure. It used to reach all the way to Norman Wells, NWT, but isn't maintained past the Yukon/NWT border anymore. The road climbs to a breathtaking 1,387m (4,550 feet) at Macmillan Pass. Keep in mind, it's usually closed from late October until late June or early July. The South Canol, at 220km (137 miles), runs from Johnsons Crossing on the Alaska Highway to the Robert Campbell Highway near Ross River. Expect a narrow, winding path with one-lane bridges, some seriously rough patches, and occasional closures due to washouts. Oh, and did we mention, zero services? A straight shot will take around 4 hours. The North Canol stretches 232km (144 miles) from the Robert Campbell Highway near Ross River to the Yukon/NWT border. Just north of Ross River, you'll quickly cross the Pelly River via ferry. This section is also narrow and winding, with potential washouts, no services, and those charming one-lane bridges. Beyond the border lies the abandoned section, about 372km (230 miles) of unusable road which follows the old Canol Road.
extremeWhere is Badwater Basin?
🇺🇸 Usa
Badwater Basin is a salt pan at 86m (282ft) below sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. At this elevation it’s the lowest point in North America. Where is Badwater Basin? The basin is a surreal landscape of vast salt flats located in Death Valley National Park, in the eastern central part of California. Why is it called Badwater Basin? This site was once a lake, but as it has dried up, sediment and salt have accumulated here over time because the lake has no outlet. A sign near the parking lot says that the area was named Badwater because a traveler was passing through and saw that there was water for his mule to drink. However, because the water is so full of salt, the animal refused to drink it, and thus the name Badwater was born. How long is the road to Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP? The road to the basin is totally paved. It’s called Badwater Road (CA 178). Starting at Furnace Creek (on CA-190), the drive is 15.5 miles (24.94km) long. The road is steep in parts, with a maximum gradient of 4% through some of the ramps. High in the rocky cliffs above the road, a sign reads 'SEA LEVEL', giving a good indication of just how low the land is. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP challenging? You must be prepared and use common sense. At Badwater Basin, significant rainstorms flood the valley bottom periodically. Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, and climatic conditions in the park can be extreme. With an air-conditioned vehicle, you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Avoid canyons during rainstorms and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for water running in washes and across road dips. Cell phones may not work in many parts of the park. Do not depend on them. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP worth it? Plan around 30 minutes to complete the drive without any stops. It is a truly unique place to discover. A visit to the basin is an otherworldly experience. This area is very popular, so be sure to note that if you go on a busy weekend. Badwater Basin can be viewed from your vehicle in the parking area . The road passes Artist’s Drive, another worthy attraction with unique Death Valley geology. How to drive the Sedona's Red Rock Scenic Byway in Arizona Daniel’s Pass is a classic road trip in Utah 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 National Road 20 in Cuba paved?
🌍 Cuba
Okay, picture this: you're cruising the southeastern coast of Cuba on the Carretera Nacional N°20. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! This 216km (134-mile) stretch of road links Santiago de Cuba with Niquero, and it’s a wild ride. Fair warning, the pavement situation is...variable. Let's just say typhoons and hurricanes haven’t been kind, so be prepared for some gravel and sand stretches. In spots, it’s practically a dirt track, but word on the street is that restoration is coming. You'll start in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city, before diving headfirst into Turquino National Park (aka Sierra Maestra National Park). This place is epic, home to Cuba's highest peaks (we're talking almost 2000m!), and the views are unreal. It's also steeped in history as the old guerilla stronghold from the revolution. The road itself? Let’s call it intimate. Seriously narrow in places – barely wide enough for one car – and often hugging cliffs on one side with the Caribbean Sea crashing on the other, sans guardrails. And keep an eye on the weather, because flash floods can temporarily close sections of the road with seawater. But it all ends in Niquero, a town in the Granma Province right on the coast. Basically, this road is a Cuban adventure waiting to happen!
extremeWhere is Waunita Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Waunita Pass, nestled high in Gunnison County, Colorado, is a must-see. We're talking serious altitude here! Find it south of Pitkin, deep in the Gunnison National Forest. The road? Totally unpaved, baby! But fear not, most 2WD vehicles can handle it in dry weather. Just be warned, it can get dicey when Mother Nature throws a tantrum. It's called Waunita Pass Road (County Road 763), and it winds through the forest like a charm, though it does get pretty steep in spots. This isn't some modern highway, either. This road dates way back to the late 1800s/early 1900s! Heads up: winter slams the door shut. Heavy snow makes it a no-go zone. The drive is about long, stretching from Pitkin to County Road 887. Expect absolutely magnificent views and scenery—trust me, your camera roll will thank you!