
Why is it called Waldo Canyon?
Usa, north-america
13.35 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're looking for a little off-the-beaten-path adventure near Santa Fe, New Mexico? Check out Waldo Canyon Road! This 8.3-mile stretch of graded dirt, also known as County Road 57, winds its way through some seriously beautiful scenery, connecting CanAm Highway to Los Cerrillos on NM-14.
Heads up, it's unpaved, but most cars should be able to manage it. The road’s named after the old mining town of Waldo (named after a Supreme Court Justice!), and if you're into ghost towns, this is a fun little detour. Don't expect much – just some foundations and remnants of the past. Fun fact: they filmed the movie "Convoy" here back in the day. Definitely a cool, quick escape with some history and views!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 13.35 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardA paved road to Targhee Pass in the Henrys Lake Mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising along the Targhee Pass Highway (that's U.S. Highway 20 to you map lovers!) is an experience, folks. Straddling the Idaho-Montana border at a cool 7,089 feet, this pass runs right along the Continental Divide. Named after a Bannack Indian chief, it's steeped in history and natural beauty. The whole 28-mile stretch, linking West Yellowstone, Montana, with Island Park, Idaho, is paved, so no need for a Jeep unless you want one! Most of the road is pretty mellow, but keep an eye out for a few ramps that hit an 8% grade to keep things interesting. Oh, and speaking of eyes, scan the roadside for small, white markers—somber reminders. Nestled in the Henrys Lake Mountains, within the Caribou–Targhee National Forest, the scenery is stunning. This pass is open year-round, even in winter, with regular plowing and sanding. Only a full-blown blizzard could shut this route down. Factor in about 30 minutes to drive it straight through, but let's be real, you'll want to stop! This area's a major wildlife corridor – elk, deer, moose, and even bears love to roam here. Plus, it's the quickest way to get to Yellowstone Park from southern Idaho. So, take your time, enjoy the views, and keep those cameras ready!
moderateWhere is Blowout Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Blowout Pass! It's this crazy high mountain pass tucked away in the Rio Grande National Forest, in the eastern San Juan Mountains. Seriously, the views are insane. Fair warning: this road is STEEP. We're talking brutally steep in sections – around . The whole thing is unpaved, but honestly, it's not too bad, just a few bumpy parts. Starting near , it's about to the top. You climb in elevation, which works out to an average gradient of . Keep in mind that this road is usually snowed in during the winter. If you're looking for a peaceful drive with incredible scenery, and not a lot of other cars around, Blowout Pass needs to be on your list!
hardWhere is Mount Pennell?
🇺🇸 Usa
is a high mountain peak at an elevation of above sea level, located in eastern Garfield County highest roads in Utah Where is Mount Pennell? The peak, formerly known as Capitol Reef National Park in the southern part of Utah. What’s at the summit of Mount Pennell? At the summit, there’s a with communications structures. At this elevation, it’s the second-highest mountain , slightly to the north. Is the road to Mount Pennell unpaved? The road to the summit is totally is required. The road is generally steep, rocky, and narrow . Be prepared for such conditions. are a necessity on the rough and rocky road, as is a vehicle in good condition How long is the road to Mount Pennell? , the road to the summit is long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is , and the average gradient is . The road may become . Avoid the area during high ridges and exposed areas Pic&more info: http://www.girlonahike.com/2016/06/hiking-mt-pennell.html An Old Mining Trail to Kuss Peak in Colorado The breathtaking road to Big Indian Mountain in Nevada 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.
hardDriving Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the highest paved road of North America
🇺🇸 Usa
# Mount Evans Scenic Byway: North America's Highest Paved Adventure Ready for something epic? Head 60 miles west of Denver to tackle the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, a jaw-dropping 14.4-mile (23.17km) paved toll road that'll take you to 14,130 feet—the highest paved road in North America. You can knock out the drive in 45 minutes flat, but trust me, you'll want to linger. ## Timing & Conditions Summer's your sweet spot for this adventure, and here's a pro tip: aim for a day when thunderstorms are brewing over Denver. There's nothing quite like watching dark clouds roll through the "low country" while you're basking in sunshine at 14,000 feet. The road typically opens Memorial Day (once CDOT finishes plowing) and closes after Labor Day, though it can shut down anytime snow decides to crash the party. Fair warning: that "first significant snowfall" closure? Nobody's quite sure what that means. ## The Drive Itself Buckle up—this isn't your average cruise. Starting from Squaw Pass Road (Highway 103), you're climbing 1,053 meters with an average grade of 4.54%, packed with switchbacks and some seriously exposed drop-offs. No guardrails, so acrophobics might want to stare straight ahead. Vehicles over 30 feet? Don't even think about it. Regular cars work fine (2WD is cool), but save those brakes by downshifting on the way down—there are plenty of pull-offs to let them cool. ## The Scenery This is where it gets magical. You'll pass through five distinct life zones, morphing from ponderosa and juniper meadows into dense spruce forests, then bursting into bare alpine terrain. Ancient bristlecone pines twisted by centuries of mountain winds, alpine lakes reflecting granite walls, mountain goats, marmots, and wildflowers everywhere you look. Spots like Mount Goliath Nature Area and Summit Lake Park are Instagram gold. At the summit, you'll find the Crest House ruins—once a restaurant and gift shop until it burned in 1979, now serving as a windbreak and quirky landmark. The views of the Continental Divide and the sprawling Denver metro below are absolutely surreal. ## Important Details The road opened publicly in 1931 and earned its Forest Service Byway designation in 1993. Altitude hits different though—stay hydrated and take it easy. The elevation change and thin air mean exercise gets way harder up here. Clouds can roll in fast, and snow's possible anytime, but that's part of the adventure, right?