A narrow curvy road to Betty Jumbo Mine
Usa, north-america
11.9 km
2,219 m
extreme
Year-round
Betty Jumbo Mine is an abandoned tungsten mine at an elevation of 2.219m (7,280ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California.
Nestled in the Inyo Mountains, within the Inyo National Forest, the road to the mine is an old mining road. It’s called Forest Service Betty Jumbo Mine road (36E401). It’s very curvy and hairpinned following a narrow road that precipitously snakes its way along the side of the Inyos with a lot of steep, rugged mountainside. 4wd vehicle required.
The road is pretty steep. Starting from the Mazourka Canyon Inyo County Road, the road is 11.90km (7.4 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 762 meters. The average gradient is 6.40%. The road is subject to rock fall: frequent large, fallen boulders lay across the middle of the road.
Why Millennials are Navigating Roads Differently
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,219 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
moderateIron Mountain Road: 17 Miles, 314 Curves, 14 Switchbacks, 3 Pigtails, and 3 Tunnels
🇺🇸 Usa
# Iron Mountain Road: South Dakota's Epic Twisty Adventure Ready for one of the most thrilling 17-mile drives in the country? Iron Mountain Road in South Dakota's Black Hills is calling your name—and trust us, it's an unforgettable ride. Nestled in the southwestern corner of South Dakota (straddling Pennington and Custer counties), this paved mountain route is an engineering marvel that'll make your head spin—literally. With 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, and three insane pigtails (those loop-de-loop turns that let the road climb nearly straight up the mountainside), this isn't your average scenic drive. The road spirals up to 5,445 feet, weaving through Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park with Mount Rushmore as your dramatic backdrop. Here's what makes Iron Mountain Road legendary: three incredible tunnels that frame perfect views of Mount Rushmore's granite presidents. These one-lane passages are so cool they've become Instagram gold. Fair warning though—if tight curves make your stomach queasy, maybe sit this one out. Seriously. Built way back in 1933, this road was intentionally designed to keep you crawling at 35 mph so you'd actually *experience* the scenery instead of zooming through it. Drop your windows, breathe in that pine-scented mountain air, and soak in the views of valleys and peaks that change with every bend. Just know: this road hibernates in winter (including the summit overlook), and if you're rolling in an RV or hauling a massive trailer, think twice. But if you love curves, mountain vistas, and a drive that'll make you feel genuinely alive? Iron Mountain Road delivers in spades.
hardChopaka Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an epic adventure in Washington state? Check out Chopaka Mountain! This beauty tops out at 6,243 feet, straddling the US-Canada border in Okanogan County. Getting to the summit is half the fun – we're talking Ninemile Creek Road, a gravel track that winds its way up through the North Cascades. Expect a bumpy ride with loose rocks and some seriously steep sections. Most cars can handle it, but be warned: summer thunderstorms can turn those gravel roads into a 4x4 nightmare! Heads up, the road's usually snowed in from October to June. But when it's open, the views from the Cold Springs Trailhead parking lot at the top are totally worth it. You're smack-dab in the Chopaka Mountain Natural Area Preserve, surrounded by some seriously stunning scenery. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
hardDriving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you’re in Colfax County, New Mexico, and craving a seriously epic drive, you NEED to check out Baldy Mountain (also called Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy by the locals). At a whopping 12,185 feet, this peak delivers views that’ll make your jaw drop. This isn't your average Sunday drive though; this 7.95-mile unpaved road used to be an old mining route, so keep an eye out for relics of the past! Starting near Elizabethtown, off NM-38, you'll climb over 3,500 feet. That means an average grade of over 8%, and hold on tight, because there are 17 hairpin turns to conquer! A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST for this trek. Speaking of treks, don’t even THINK about attempting this during the winter – the snow is no joke, and the road often stays closed well into July. Summer brings its own challenges, too. Monsoon season can unleash some serious rain, hail, and lightning. But if you brave it, the views are absolutely worth it!
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!