Can you drive to Railroad Ridge in Idaho?

Can you drive to Railroad Ridge in Idaho?

Usa, north-america

Length

44.73 km

Elevation

3,180 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Idaho's Custer County, hiding within the White Cloud Mountains, lies Railroad Ridge. This insane route climbs to a staggering 10,433 feet, making it potentially the highest road accessible to regular vehicles in Idaho!

The road, known as FR 669, starts near Clayton and stretches for about 28 miles, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation. It’s a seriously challenging unpaved track that demands respect. We're talking high clearance and 4x4 are non-negotiable. The road is narrow, twisty with switchbacks, and has very few places to pull over. Not ideal if you're afraid of heights!

The window to tackle Railroad Ridge is short, usually open from July to October, depending on when the snow melts. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides can happen anytime, so check conditions before you go. Cell service is spotty, so download your route and trust your GPS.

But here's the thing: the views from the top are EPIC. Seriously breathtaking, stretching for miles in every direction on a clear day. The road is intense, but you'll forget all about the bumpy ride once you soak in that panorama. If you're up for a thrilling drive with a massive payoff, Railroad Ridge should be on your bucket list!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
44.73 km
Max Elevation
3,180 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

When was Baxter Pass in Colorado built?hard

When was Baxter Pass in Colorado built?

🇺🇸 Usa

Baxter Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.573m (8,441ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. When was Baxter Pass in Colorado built? The pass is located on the way from Dragon (Utah) to Mack (Colorado). A railroad (Uintah Railway) once went up and over the pass to haul gilsonite between both cities. It was built during 1905-1906. The Uintah Railway was unique in that it was built for one product, and gilsonite supported it. During the 1920s and 1930s, the advent of better roads and heavy trucks made the railroad obsolete, and it was finally abandoned in 1938. Can you drive to Baxter Pass in Colorado? The road to the summit is totally unpaved (hard-packed, sand, a few bumpy places, and rocks larger than 6 inches). It’s called County Highway 201 (Baxter Pass Road). Not recommended for newbies. Along the way, you’ll have to deal with some narrow parts and dangerous drop-offs: a short shelf road section is on the south approach. This is a rough dirt road through a really lonesome, isolated corner of Colorado. How long is the road to Baxter Pass in Colorado? The remote road is 81km (50.3 miles) long, running south-north from Mack (in Mesa County, Colorado) to the Utah border, south of Dragon. Is Baxter Pass Colorado Open? The winding and steep trail is accessible from June through October. The wind sometimes piled snow up as high as the windows of the passenger cars. How long does it take to drive through Baxter Pass Colorado? Plan about 3 hours to complete this remote road. There are a few ghost towns along the way. The summit hosts a communication antenna. What are the highest roads in Arizona? A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico 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.

Where is Ophir Pass?hard

Where is Ophir Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're in southwest Colorado, San Juan Mountains to be exact, ready for an adventure. You're about to tackle Ophir Pass, a mountain road that tops out at 11,789 feet. This isn't your average Sunday drive! Ophir Pass Road, or Forest Road #630 if you're feeling official, stretches for about 10 miles, connecting CO-145 with the legendary Million Dollar Highway (US-550) near Silverton. You'll even cruise through the old mining town of Ophir – talk about a scenic detour! Keep in mind, this road is usually open from June to November, give or take, depending on the snow. And when they DO finally plow it open in June, expect some serious snow walls at the summit! Afternoon storms are pretty common too, so pack accordingly. Now, for the fun part: the drive itself. For the most part, it's a graded dirt road, but there are some narrow and rough patches that'll keep you on your toes. There's one particularly tight half-mile section on the Ophir side where passing can get tricky (uphill traffic yields, remember!). Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs? Some folks might find them a little unnerving. While you *can* technically drive it in any motorized vehicle, a 4x4 with decent clearance is highly recommended. Just a heads up: unlicensed OHVs aren't allowed within Ophir or on the road heading west towards State Highway 145. Expect the drive to take about an hour, giving you plenty of time to soak in those amazing alpine views of Ophir Valley and the surrounding peaks. Many people combine this route with either the Road or the Tomboy-Imogene Roads for an epic loop. Trust me, it's worth it!

Exploring Canada by Train: A Journey of Scenic Beauty and Cultural Richnessmoderate

Exploring Canada by Train: A Journey of Scenic Beauty and Cultural Richness

🇨🇦 Canada

Okay, buckle up for the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana's Glacier National Park! This beauty stretches for 50 miles, climbing to a breathtaking 6,646 feet at Logan Pass. The views? Seriously stunning. Think massive glaciers, pristine alpine lakes, and forests that go on forever. Keep your camera handy, because you'll want to snap a pic at every turn. Now, a heads-up: this road can be a bit of a nail-biter. It's narrow in places, with hairpin turns and steep drop-offs. Plus, it's only open for a short window each year, usually from late June/early July to mid-October, depending on the snow. So, plan accordingly! But trust me, the scenery is so worth it. Just take your time, drive carefully, and soak it all in. You won't regret it!

The road to Raíces, the highest town of Mexicomoderate

The road to Raíces, the highest town of Mexico

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, so you know I'm always hunting for those hidden gems, and I just found a crazy one: Raíces in the State of Mexico! This place is seriously sky-high, the highest town in the whole country at a whopping 11,919 feet. We're talking one of the highest drivable towns on the planet! The road up, Ruta 10, is totally paved and winds up the side of the Nevado de Toluca volcano. Think incredible views and lush forest scenery, but be warned, there are some serious curves along the way! The adventure kicks off from México 134, and it's only about 4.28 miles to Raíces, but don't let the short distance fool you. This climb is STEEP. We're talking a max gradient of 7% on some of those ramps! Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable drive.