
Why is it called Mount Sherman?
Usa, north-america
12.87 km
3,878 m
extreme
Year-round
Ready for a Colorado adventure? Mount Sherman is calling! This peak straddles Park and Lake counties, west of Alma, smack-dab in the Mosquito Range.
Want to tackle it? You've got a couple of options via County Road 2B and County Road 18, but fair warning: these roads are usually snowed in until July (sometimes later!).
County Road 2B gets you close, topping out at 12,723 feet! Starting from Leadville, it’s about 8 miles with a hefty 2,600 feet of climbing. That’s a 6% average grade, but sections hit a wild 18%! This unpaved road is STEEP and rocky, so high clearance and 4x4 are a must. The views are amazing, but watch out for thunderstorms and leftover mining junk (rusty nails and hidden mine shafts!).
County Road 18 (aka 4 Mile Creek Road) is another epic choice. It takes you to 12,959 feet after about 13.7 miles from Fairplay, gaining over 3,000 feet. It's a sustained climb, with an average gradient of 4.28% with some steep sections as high as 16%. This route is also unpaved, rocky, and requires good clearance and 4x4. You'll find remnants of the Hilltop Mine, abandoned long ago. Expect awesome scenery. This road also provides access to hiking and fishing! Just keep an eye on the sky for fast-forming afternoon thunderstorms.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.87 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,878 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardTreasure Hill
🇺🇸 Usa
Treasure Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.805m (9,202ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. The peak is located within the White Pine Range range. The road to the top is very rough, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is usually impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. The trail is narrow with few places for passing so meeting someone can be a challenge. In order to drive this road up, you need a high clearance vehicle! The trail is very steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Navigating the Scenic Byways of Pennsylvania 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.
extremeHunter Mountain is a Most Tricky Scenic Drive in Death Valley NP
🇺🇸 Usa
Wanna get seriously off the beaten path? Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley National Park, California, is calling your name! Tucked away in the park's northwest corner, this backcountry adventure climbs to a cool 7,168 feet (2,185m) in Inyo County, promising epic views between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Nevada. Spanning 10.7 miles (17.21km), this unpaved trek demands a 4x4 and a spirit for adventure. Expect a wild ride of loose rock, washboard, and stream crossings. While the road is unmaintained and super bumpy, the scenery shifts dramatically as you ascend from the valley floor. Keep your eyes peeled for narrow spots, steep climbs/descents, and potential soft sand or boulders. Remember, there are no services on this route, so fuel up and pack supplies! And a heads-up: steer clear of any old mine entrances due to potential hazards. Tell someone your plans, pack a map, and grab a backcountry permit if you're hiking. Cell service can be spotty, but 911 works in emergencies. Watch out for wildlife, especially snakes and spiders, and avoid canyons during storms. Water can suddenly appear in washes, so stay alert! During winter, snow and mud can make it impassable. Be prepared for anything!
easyChalk Creek Drive: a beautiful road to St. Elmo ghost town
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you wanna hit up St. Elmo's Ghost Town, huh? You gotta cruise down County Road 162, also known as Chalk Creek Drive in Colorado's Chaffee County. This stunner runs right through the heart of the Sawatch Range. Think of it: you're heading east-west from Highway 285 near Nathrop. It's about 15.8 miles (25.42 km) of mostly smooth sailing on pavement, then it turns to dirt as you climb higher towards Alpine. Good news: it's plowed year-round, so no excuses! You'll be topping out at 10,016 feet (3.053m), so expect some serious mountain vibes. It's a pretty steep climb from Highway 285 — we're talking about a 2,280-foot (695m) elevation gain over those 15.8 miles. Not crazy steep, but you'll feel it! But the real reason to go? St. Elmo itself! Originally called Forrest City, this place is like stepping back in time. Seriously, it's one of the best-preserved ghost towns around. Bring your camera because you'll find 43 original buildings standing: a saloon, courthouse/jail, general store, and old homes. The general store is open in summer, where you can rent ATVs to explore the area! St. Elmo is also rumored to be the most haunted ghost town in Colorado, so keep an eye out for spirits! Plan on making a bunch of stops along the way, because the views are unreal!
extremeWhere is Elwood Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an epic Colorado adventure? Check out Elwood Pass! Nestled in Rio Grande County, this beauty tops out at 11,676 feet above sea level. You'll find it hanging out in the Rio Grande National Forest in southwestern Colorado. The road to the summit, known as East Fork Road (FS 667), is 17.9 miles of pure, unadulterated dirt. Prepare for a steep climb, with sections hitting a 20% gradient! The elevation gain is a serious 4,376 feet, making for an average gradient of 4.63%. Keep in mind, this road is impassable in winter due to the high elevation and heavy snowfall in the San Juan Mountains. The road's narrow, but the views are killer. It can get slick when wet, and be warned: parts of the drive hug a high cliff, so it can be a bit treacherous. The climb is rocky, steep, and definitely a challenge. The first 8 miles are pretty tame, a graded gravel road suitable for most cars. It follows the river through a rocky canyon before opening into a wide valley. You'll find a dip near Silver Falls that might challenge the ground clearance of lower cars. The real fun begins after 10 miles at the Quartz Creek turnoff. Expect lots of climbing and loose rocks. This section demands a 4x4 with high clearance due to multiple water crossings. Lock those axles, drop it into first gear, and use low range. There are spots where the road is carved into near-vertical rock walls with serious drop-offs. Take it slow and steady! Be extra cautious when the road is wet, especially in spring when the river crossings can be deep and swift with snowmelt. Summer rain can also swell the river and make the road muddy and slick in places. Basically, Elwood Pass is a stunner, but it demands respect!