
Yellow Peak
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,190 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Yellow Peak in northwestern Nevada! This bad boy sits at a lofty 7,185 feet in the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge.
Forget the pavement, we're talking gravel and rock on State Rte 34A. Translation? You'll need a 4x4 to tackle this beast. Winter? Nope, she's closed. And if you're not comfy with steep, unpaved mountain roads, maybe grab a postcard instead.
Heights a problem? This ain't your happy place. The trail is a real climb! But hey, the reward? A fire lookout tower rebuilt in '81 with views for days. Just a heads up: check that weather forecast! Lightning and lookout towers? Not a great mix.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,190 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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