Why is it called Covington Flat Road?
Usa, north-america
15.44 km
1,496 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Joshua Tree National Park, in sunny California, on Covington Flat Road. This isn't your typical paved paradise; it's a 9.6-mile unpaved adventure into the desert backcountry, split into Lower and Upper sections. Named after some pioneer rancher, Will Covington, this road serves up incredible landscapes, and lets you get up close and personal with the park’s biggest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines.
Grab a map before you go, trust me. The road can get rutted, especially after a storm, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet, and 4WD is even better.
Starting from La Contenta Road near Yucca Valley, the road winds up to a parking area near the Covington Crest Trailhead, topping out at 5,173 feet. From there, it’s a quick hike to Eureka Peak. Heads up: cell service can be spotty, and the climb gets pretty steep near the end. A smaller road branches off to a peak reaching 4,908ft.
But, oh, the views! You'll be treated to panoramas of Palm Springs, the surrounding mountains, and the Morongo Basin. Just be aware that rain or snow can make this drive a real challenge. But if you're prepared, it's totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 15.44 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,496 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateJones Gap, an awe-inspiring drive
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! We're heading to Jones Gap, a killer mountain pass perched right on the South Carolina/North Carolina line in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beauty clocks in at a lofty 2,929 feet (893m) and sits nestled within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. The entire route is paved – just look for US-276 E. But don't get too comfy! This 16.4-mile (26.39km) stretch from Cedar Mountain, NC, to Cleveland, SC, packs a punch with some serious steep sections. We're talking gradients hitting a max of 11.1% in spots! But the views? Totally worth it! Get ready for some seriously scenic vistas as you wind your way through this mountain paradise. Just keep your eyes on the road… those inclines are no joke!
moderateWhere are Carlsbad Caverns?
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an epic descent! Just outside Carlsbad, New Mexico, nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains, awaits the Carlsbad Cavern Highway (NM-7). This isn't your average road trip, folks. You'll find yourself winding down a 1.25-mile paved trail, a series of steep switchbacks that plunge 750 feet into the earth. This path, exclusively for pedestrians, leads right into the legendary Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns, one of the largest cave chambers in North America. As you descend, the light fades, and the anticipation builds. The trail grade averages around 20 degrees, so be prepared for a bit of a workout! Park rangers patrol this area regularly. The scenery is unlike anything you've ever seen. You're entering a subterranean wonderland, a massive network of caves carved from limestone over millions of years. Think otherworldly formations, incredible depth, and a sense of adventure you won't soon forget.
moderateIs Forest Road 82 unpaved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Forest Road 825 is a high mountain road located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado. Is Forest Road 82 unpaved? The winding road, also known as US Basin road and Brooklyn road, is located within the San Juan National Forest. It’s entirely unpaved. Is Forest Road 82 open in winter? The steep road tops out at above sea level near Ohio Peak and it’s closed from November 23rd to May 20th (weather permitting). How long is Forest Road 825? The road is 5.9 miles (9.4km) long starting and ending at Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550) and follows numerous remnants of Colorado's mining heritage. It leads to the well-preserved Longfellow Mine and beautiful dispersed camping places. It should only be attempted by high-clearance vehicles. When was Forest Road 825 built? The road was built in 1883. Due to the large rocks, mud and stumps the road was only used in the winter by sleds. Is Forest Road 825 worth the drive? Running parallel to the Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550), the drive offers stunning views of the road, as well, as have an amazing 180-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Driving the paved road to Togwotee Pass in the Absaroka Mountains A road above the clouds to Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill) in HI 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.
moderateA 4wd trail to Maggie Gulch mine
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're up for an adventure? Let me tell you about Maggie Gulch 4WD Road! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking southwest Colorado, deep in the San Juan Mountains, heading up to a whopping 12,319 feet! You'll find the turnoff near Silverton, in the town of Middleton. From there, you've got about 4.76 miles of totally unpaved road between you and the old Maggie Gulch mine. This isn't a job for your Prius! You'll need a 4x4 with some clearance and good tires. Expect it to be snowed in from around October to June, so plan accordingly! The old mine itself is quite the sight, surrounded by what's left of Colorado's mining past. The views are incredible, but keep your eyes on the road!