Driving the paved road to Westgard Pass in California
Usa, north-america
60.35 km
2,236 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Westgard Pass! Nestled high in Inyo County, California, this beauty clocks in at a cool 7,335 feet above sea level. You'll find it tucked away in the eastern-central part of the state, winding its way between Big Pine and Oasis.
This stretch of California State Route 168 is just over 37 miles long and named after a highway visionary, Anton L. Westgard. The road itself is paved, but hold on – it’s a twisty, turny adventure! Think narrow roads and hairpin turns with serious drop-offs. If you're all about straight, easy driving, this might not be your jam. But trust me, take it slow the first time, and you'll be itching to come back. And for those feeling adventurous, there’s a slightly rougher gravel road south of the pass, the White Mountain Road, with some incredible views.
Just a heads up: this pass is a no-go zone in winter, usually opening up again around mid to late April. But when it’s open? Prepare for pristine scenery and seriously grand vistas. Located within the Inyo National Forest, you'll be treated to views of the White Mountains and the Sierras that just don't quit. Basically, the whole drive is a photo op!
Where is it?
Driving the paved road to Westgard Pass in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 34.7406, -96.4404
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 60.35 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,236 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 34.7406, -96.4404
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Jack Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! We're heading to Jack Mountain in Montana's Jefferson County, just south of Helena. Picture this: you're carving your way through the massive Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the biggest in the state. This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking about an unpaved, rough-and-tumble road where you absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4. Get ready for 18 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, with some seriously steep sections – we're talking a 12% gradient near the top! It's about 12 miles from start to summit, taking you through thick forests and rugged, rocky landscapes. Once you break through to the exposed ridges near the top, the views are absolutely insane! Oh, and keep an eye out for the remains of the old Jack Mountain Lookout, decommissioned in 2011, that once stood tall, keeping watch over the land. Trust me, this drive is worth every bump and scrape!
extremeDriving the scenic Saddle Road in Hawaii
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an epic Hawaiian adventure on Saddle Road! This 52.7-mile stretch of highway (also known as Hawaii State Highway 200 or Ala Mauna Saddle Road) cuts right through the heart of the Big Island, linking Hilo with the junction to Hawaii Route 190 near Waimea. Prepare for some serious elevation! You'll climb to a breathtaking 6,765 feet (2,062 meters) above sea level at Humuula Saddle. Near mile 28, around 6,632 feet (2,021m) above sea level, you'll find the turnoffs for the Mauna Loa Observatory Road to the south, and the Mauna Kea Summit Road to the north. Originally carved from lava by the U.S. Army, this road offers stunning scenery, though there's a portion of windy, narrow two-lane road near mile marker 11. While the drive might take between 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic and stops, Saddle Road is now a smooth, paved highway. Be prepared for quickly changing weather, though! Visibility can drop to near zero in bad weather or heavy cloud cover. Watch out for wildlife darting across the road, and be aware that one section gets incredibly foggy after dark. There are even tales of ghost lights, if you're into that sort of thing. Cell service is spotty, but call boxes are available. And remember, there are no gas stations or stores along the way, so come prepared! Despite improvements, rough pavement edges and head-on collisions are still concerns, so stay alert. But with extra lanes for trucks on the uphill sections and smoother surfaces, Saddle Road is a must-do for any Big Island road trip!
moderatePeru Creek Trail is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for a scenic mountain escape on the Peru Creek Trail in Colorado's Summit County! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's one of the highest roads in the state! Forest Service Road 260, aka Peru Creek Trail, is a 6.3-mile unpaved adventure. Starting from Montezuma Road at a cool 10,022 feet, it climbs to Horseshoe Basin at a breathtaking 12,335 feet. That's over 2,300 feet of elevation gain! You'll be heading towards Ruby Mountain and Mount Edwards, so keep your eyes peeled for some incredible views. The first 4.7 miles are manageable in a high-clearance 2WD vehicle. It's a pretty smooth ride with plenty of room to pass, so you might even spot some passenger cars. But, I'd recommend an SUV with good clearance for peace of mind. Beyond the Shoe Basin Mine, it transforms into an old 4x4 road – drivable, but closed to motorized vehicles. Nestled in the White River National Forest, Peru Creek Trail is usually open from March to November. Expect snow lingering in Horseshoe Basin well into July, while the lower sections open up earlier in the season. Parallel to the notorious Argentine Pass, this trail delivers an amazing SUV adventure. It's not too challenging and has awe-inspiring scenery, fantastic hiking trails, and connections to other cool routes. The mining history is rich, with tons of well-preserved structures. Plus, you can explore Warden Gulch, Chihuahua Gulch, and Cinnamon Gulch – bonus! The views are truly something special. You'll pass mining relics as you climb through a lush alpine basin with a unique chalk-white stream. Pro-tip: that stream gets its color from calcium and heavy metals, so don't drink it, and keep your pets away!
hardBow Pass is the highest road in Canada’s national parks
🇨🇦 Canada
Alright, road trip lovers, let's talk about Bow Pass! Nestled high in Alberta, Canada, within the stunning Banff National Park, this beauty tops out at a cool 2,088m (6,850ft). We're talking serious Canadian high-road status! Built back in 1940, this completely paved stretch of Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 north to those in the know) is the highest road you'll find in Canada's national parks. Keep an eye out for the side road just west of the pass that takes you up to Bow Summit and the breathtaking Peyto Lake. Clocking in at 75.8 km (47.09 miles), it winds its way from Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing in a south-north direction. Perched in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies, Bow Pass is the highest point on this incredible drive. While usually open year-round, don't be surprised by snow any time of year. Winter brings extreme weather, so be prepared! Trust me; the scenery is unreal. Words and pictures don't do it justice. This drive is a masterpiece of road engineering, with the views just getting better and better as you climb. Weekends and holidays get busy, and July and August are peak times with up to 100,000 vehicles hitting the parkway each month.