How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Lagunita Saddle

How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Lagunita Saddle

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,218 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Lagunita Saddle in New Mexico's Taos County is calling your name! This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking serious elevation here, topping out at 10,557 feet! Think of it as one of the state's rooftop experiences.

Heads up: the road to the top is a rugged mix of gravel and rocks, so leave your low-riders at home. Winter? Forget about it – this pass is snowed in tight. If unpaved, steep mountain roads make you nervous, this might not be your jam.

But, oh, the views! Being so high up is worth the journey. Get ready for panoramic scenery that'll make your jaw drop. Just take it slow, enjoy the ride, and soak in that New Mexico beauty!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,218 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

How long is Big Sur Coast Highway?moderate

How long is Big Sur Coast Highway?

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for the Big Sur Coast Highway, a truly unforgettable road trip along the California coast! This beauty stretches for 123 miles (198 kilometers) between Monterey and San Luis Obispo, and every inch is paved. Set aside about five hours to soak it all in one way. Seriously, you'll want to take your time. As part of California State Route 1, this All-American Road has some of the most incredible scenery you've ever seen. Built back in 1937, the road itself is a blast to drive, full of twists and turns that'll keep you on your toes. The views of the rocky Pacific shore are simply jaw-dropping. Just be aware that it can get pretty crowded with RVs, especially during holiday weekends. While most vehicles are fine on this route, RVs or larger vehicles should be careful. The shoulders can be narrow in places, and there are some pretty steep drop-offs – so pay attention! Also, keep in mind that Big Sur is still a wild area, and mudslides or washouts can happen after big storms, sometimes closing the road. Cell reception can also be spotty.

Slide Peakhard

Slide Peak

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, folks, picture this: Slide Peak, sitting pretty at 7,841 feet in Southern California's San Bernardino County. You'll find it smack-dab in the San Bernardino Mountains. The road up? It's about 5.3 miles of mostly paved road (Keller Peak Road), but don't get too comfy, because the last mile or so is gravel. Heads up: typically, you can only cruise this road from around Memorial Day until mid-November, weather permitting. Keep your eyes peeled because you're in prime critter country here, think bears, mountain lions, and deer galore! It's a bit of a climb, too. Starting from CA-18, you'll gain about 1,850 feet over those 5.3 miles, making for an average gradient of around 6.6%. The views though? Totally worth the climb!

Where is Saline Valley Road?extreme

Where is Saline Valley Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Saline Valley Road is a very scenic drive in the Mojave Desert, in the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park Where is Saline Valley Road? The track is located in one of the most remote locations in the US state of California, running north-south through the length of Saline Valley, a large, deep, and arid valley in the northern Mojave Desert, within the Inyo Mountains Wilderness Area. No services are available. When was Saline Valley Road built? It was built in the early 1900s to transport borax and salt. How long is Saline Valley Road? The road runs from SR 168 in the north to SR 190 in the south. It is 95 miles (153 km) long and ranges in elevation from 1,094 to 7,593ft (333 to 2.314m). Is Saline Valley Road paved? The road is mostly unpaved, with some washboard sections, often heavily corrugated, sandy in places and sporadically maintained. The further up you go it gets curvy with drop-offs. It’s quite bumpy and rough with curves and drop-offs and deep loose sand in places. Required high ground clearance (but may require 4x4 in winter), off-road tires, and mounted full-size spare tires are strongly recommended. Come prepared and take breaks, your back will thank you. Officially, the entire length of the road is passable by non-4WD vehicles, but long stretches of road are extremely rough and surfaced by sharp-edged primitive rock gravel. Is Saline Valley Road open? The road is open year-round but subject to winter closures due to snow, ice, or washouts, and it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. Best Oct.-May although higher elevations may be closed due to snow. It’s especially comfortable during spring and fall, with temperatures ranging from 50-85 degrees. The road is often signed as “CLOSED” by Inyo County Road Department after floods or winter snows. Visitors going past closed signs “do so at their own risk”. The "Road Closed" signs are often left in place year-round in an attempt to deter motorists who may not realize how treacherous the road is, and to limit Inyo County liability. It goes through two mountain passes: the Inyo Mountains in the north, and the Nelson Range in the south. The northern pass is higher but is better maintained and is about 20 miles (30 km) closer to the hot springs. It is not a Park Service Road, and Inyo County is responsible for its maintenance. Is Saline Valley Road worth it? The drive takes you through some of Death Valley's most fascinating terrain. It offers sweeping views of salt marsh, sand dunes, warm springs, and the stunning Inyo Mountains. Pic&Video: Buzzards on the Road Bloods Point Road in Illinois is the site of many hauntings and crimes Kelly Road in Pennsylvania is one of America's most haunted roads 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.

Discover the Beauty of Engineer Pass: Colorado's High Mountain Off-Road Adventurehard

Discover the Beauty of Engineer Pass: Colorado's High Mountain Off-Road Adventure

🇺🇸 Usa

# Engineer Pass: Colorado's Epic High-Alpine Adventure Engineer Pass sits pretty at 12,800 feet (3,901m) in Ouray County, Colorado, and let me tell you—this isn't your typical Sunday drive. We're talking about one of the state's highest roads, and it demands respect. The route starts about four miles south of Ouray off the Million Dollar Highway (U.S. 550) and heads up the unpaved Engineer Pass Road (also known as Ouray County Road 18). Fair warning: the first two miles are genuinely gnarly. Rocky, rough, and totally unforgiving. If you're new to four-wheeling, take it slow and consider whether your rig is up for it. This road isn't for everyone. You'll want a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with a short wheelbase—basically, leave your full-size pickup at home. While most of the drive is manageable, the west side of the pass throws in some narrow, steep sections that'll definitely keep you alert. Historically, this trail was built after 1877 by Otto Mears, the same engineer who created the legendary Million Dollar Highway. It became the vital artery connecting Silverton, Animas Forks, Ouray, and Lake City during the mining boom. **When to Go:** Late May through late October is your window—winter snow shuts this place down hard. Don't even think about driving it snow-covered. **Why It's Worth It:** This is a photographer's dream. At the summit, you get 360-degree views of 14,000-foot peaks, including Mt. Sneffels (14,150 ft.) and Uncompahgre Peak (14,309 ft.). Combine this with Engineer Pass's sister route, Cinnamon Pass, and you've got the famous Alpine Loop—complete with historic mines, ghost towns, wildflowers, and seriously stunning alpine scenery. Whether you're fishing, hiking, camping, or just soaking in the views, this high-altitude adventure into Colorado's mining past is absolutely unforgettable. Just respect the conditions and you're in for something truly special.