Forest Road 196

Forest Road 196

Usa, north-america

Length

20.76 km

Elevation

3 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Forest Road 196, nestled high in Utah's Duchesne County, is a true alpine experience. We're talking serious altitude here, folks – the whole route sits above 10,000 feet!

Located inside Ashley National Forest, this 12.9-mile stretch is no Sunday drive. Think gravel, think rocks, and think "bring your 4x4!" Seriously, you'll want the extra clearance and traction for this one. And pro tip: only tackle this road when it's dry.

Mother Nature calls the shots here. Forget about it from October to June – it's impassable due to snow. Even in the summer, you might get surprised by a flurry. The highest point tops out at 10,485 feet, so be prepared for extreme weather and brutally cold temperatures, especially as the seasons change. But hey, the views? Totally worth it!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
20.76 km
Max Elevation
3 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Togwotee Pass?moderate

Where is Togwotee Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, road trippers, listen up! You HAVE to experience Togwotee Pass in Wyoming. This epic stretch of U.S. Highway 287/26 clocks in at around 55 miles, and it’ll take you all the way up to 9,580 feet above sea level in the Absaroka Mountains. We're talking Teton County views for days! You'll find it nestled in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in northwestern Wyoming. The pass is named after Togwotee, a Sheepeater tribe subchief. The road is paved, so no need for a monster truck, but be warned – there are some seriously steep sections. And, while it's usually open year-round, keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. This area gets *dumped* on with snow—we’re talking potentially over 25 feet…sometimes even double that! Blizzards can shut things down, so plan accordingly. This route runs from Moran, south-central Teton County, to Dubois in Fremont County. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!

The Loneliest Highway to Pancake Summit in NVmoderate

The Loneliest Highway to Pancake Summit in NV

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, road trip fans, because Pancake Summit in Nevada is calling your name! Nestled high in the White Pine Range at a cool 6,538 feet, this pass is smack-dab in central-eastern Nevada. You'll be cruising on the iconic Highway 50 (aka "The Loneliest Highway in America"), so get ready for some serious solitude and stunning scenery. Good news: it's paved the whole way! Pancake Summit is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter—things can get a little dicey. Legend has it the name comes from the way the mountains look – just like a stack of pancakes! This route is a good 77 miles long, stretching from Eureka to Ely, and it's not for the faint of heart. Get ready for some steep climbs (we're talking up to 8% in places!) and a whole lotta twists and turns. But trust me, the views are worth it!

Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of Californiaextreme

Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of California

🇺🇸 Usa

Horseshoe Meadow is seriously high – we're talking 10,072 feet above sea level! You'll find this sub-alpine beauty tucked away in Inyo County, California, inside the Inyo National Forest. It's up there with some of California's highest roads. Horseshoe Meadows Road, formerly Route 190, has been fully paved since the 80s, and it's 22 miles of pure driving adrenaline starting from Whitney Portal Road. Hold on tight, because this road is a beast! You're climbing a super steep mountain, and it's nothing but straight sections linked by crazy hairpin turns. Seriously, this is a white-knuckle experience. It's known as one of the toughest climbs in California, with an average grade of 6.5%. You'll gain altitude super fast, so take it easy if you're not used to the thin air. Switchbacks are constant, so keep your focus. Gear down on the way back, and four-wheel drive definitely helps. Watch out for debris flows — they clear rocks at 4 PM daily, which tells you everything! Tucked in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, southwest of Lone Pine, it's a no-go in bad weather. The road shuts down from around November to May because of snow. Allow 45-60 minutes without stops, but honestly, you'll want more time for photos and exploring. Luckily, there are plenty of pull-offs for those perfect shots. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Zilwaukee Bridge in Michigan is the perfect example on how not to build a bridgehard

Zilwaukee Bridge in Michigan is the perfect example on how not to build a bridge

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through Michigan, heading towards Zilwaukee in Saginaw County, and BAM! You see it. The Zilwaukee Bridge. This thing isn't just a bridge; it's a *statement*. Some even say it’s a lesson in what *not* to do when building a bridge. This high-level, curved concrete behemoth stretches 8,000 feet (that's 2440 m!) across the Saginaw River, standing 125 feet (38 m) tall at its peak. Construction started way back in '78 to replace an older bridge that couldn't handle the traffic, but things didn't exactly go smoothly. Let’s just say there were delays, cost overruns, and even a major construction accident that halted everything for a while in 1982. But hey, they finally got it done, and it opened in 1988. Now, it carries I-75, linking Zilwaukee Township and Saginaw, with three lanes in each direction. Sure, it’s a smooth ride now, but knowing its history, you can't help but feel a little respect for this slightly infamous landmark as you cross it. Trust me, it’s an experience!