An Unforgettable Drive to Gold Hill Pass in UT
Usa, north-america
12.07 km
3,060 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Utah's Summit County, hidden within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, you'll find Gold Hill Pass. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 10,039 feet!
Forget smooth pavement; we're talking about Gold Hill Road (FR160), a 7.5-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt. Seriously, you'll want a high-clearance vehicle – ideally a low-geared 2WD or, better yet, a 4x4 – to tackle this one.
The road winds east to west, connecting Mirror Lake Highway (U-150) with Forest Road 638. Keep in mind, this is a seasonal gem, usually open from mid-May to mid-October. So, if you're looking for a wild ride with killer views in the Uinta Mountains, Gold Hill Pass might just be your next unforgettable adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.07 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,060 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateCan you drive to Mount Locke in Texas?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Mount Locke! This Texas gem sits way up high in Jeff Davis County, clocking in at 6,790 feet. Yep, it's one of the highest paved roads in the whole state! You'll find it in the western part of Texas, and it's called Spur 78. Get ready for some steep climbs – this road doesn't mess around! Word to the wise: cell service is pretty much non-existent on most of the route, so download those maps beforehand. Snow's rare in winter, but the summit still gets cool, dry winters and hot, wetter summers. Just 17 miles from Fort Davis, the road itself is only about 1.7 miles long, but it packs a punch. You'll gain 577 feet in elevation, with an average gradient of 6.44% and some spots hitting a max of 11.4%. The prize at the top? The world-famous McDonald Observatory, run by the University of Texas at Austin. This place is serious about astronomy, with massive telescopes, a cool gift shop, and the StarDate Cafe. The peak was actually nameless until they decided to build the observatory here back in '32, then they named it after a local rancher, G. S. Locke, who helped out in the early days. So, if you're looking for incredible views and a peek at the cosmos, Mount Locke is calling your name!
moderateWhere is Marsh Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, road trip lovers, let's talk about Marsh Pass! Nestled at a lofty elevation in Arizona, this spot used to be known by the Spanish name , marking a historic boundary way back when. It's even part of the legendary Armijo Route of the Old Spanish Trail! So, is it paved? You bet! You'll be cruising on . Get ready for a mostly flat ride with a total length of 74.4 miles, starting in Coconino County. Keep an eye out for along the way! This is one Arizona adventure you won't forget.
hardWhere is Barker Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so Barker Pass in California, nestled high in Tahoe National Forest, is totally worth a trek! We're talking about a high-altitude experience here. You'll find yourself at a serious elevation. You can totally do it in most cars, even 2WD, which is great. The road starts out paved, but don't get too comfy because it turns to dirt! You'll see more mountain bikers than cars up there, which tells you something. Speaking of road conditions, expect it to be closed from around October until late June or even July, thanks to snow. Patches can linger well into summer, so always check conditions. The whole adventure is roughly along the unpaved portion. The elevation changes a bit along the way, nothing too crazy, and the views? Epic! There's also a short dirt road leading to the top of Pelican Butte in Oregon!
extremeWhere is Lake Como?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Lake Como in Colorado! Nestled near Alamosa and the majestic Great Sand Dunes, west of Blanca Peak, lies this alpine gem. Getting here? Buckle up because Lake Como Road (aka Blanca Peak Road) is a wild 7.45-mile unpaved ride from CO-150 that will test your mettle. Think seriously gnarly, boulder-strewn terrain. We're talking one of Colorado's roughest roads, and it gets seriously intense above 10,000 feet! High-clearance 4x4 is non-negotiable. Seriously. This isn't a Sunday drive; it's a pilgrimage for those with seriously beefed-up rigs. Expect some crazy steep sections too, hitting gradients of up to 26%! This road climbs to a staggering 11,765 feet, so the views are out of this world! Think Sangre de Cristo Mountains in all their glory. But here's the deal: this isn't an all-year adventure. Typically, the road is snowed in from late October through late June/early July. And even in summer, be prepared for sudden weather changes and thunderstorms. This is a trail you absolutely should not drive alone. Make sure you, and especially your vehicle, are truly ready.