Is Big Hole Pass paved?
Usa, north-america
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Montana, about to tackle Big Hole Pass!
Yep, it's paved and in pretty good shape, so no need to worry about that. Locals call the road Highway 278, and let me tell you, it does get steep! You'll be feeling that climb with grades hitting a solid 7% in spots. This high up, you're hitting the second highest point on the road system in Montana!
The whole shebang is roughly 22 miles long, winding from the county seat of Dillon, Montana, in a north-south direction. And the views? Seriously stunning. You'll be gawking at the Pioneer Mountain Range the whole time. Trust me, you’ll want to bring your camera for this drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardBurnt Knob
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Burnt Knob, a seriously epic peak in the southern Clearwater Mountains of Idaho. Nestled right on the edge of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness in the Nez Perce National Forest, this spot is a total knockout. The road to the top? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Forest Road 468-C, as it's known, is a gravelly, rocky, and sometimes wildly bumpy ride. Think tippy, too! You'll definitely need some serious wheeling experience to tackle this unmaintained track. Word to the wise: this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly. Heads up – this trail gets *steep*. And keep an eye on the weather! Thunderstorms can turn those unpaved sections into a 4x4 nightmare, or worse, make them impassable. But the reward? Stunning views from the summit, where you'll find a cool old lookout tower built way back in 1930. It's still maintained for emergencies, so you know you're in a wild, remote location. Trust me, the views alone are worth the white-knuckle drive! Just remember to take it slow and easy, and you'll have a story to tell for years.
moderateWhere is Crystal Mountain North?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Crystal Mountain North! Perched high in Washington's Pierce County, this peak hits an elevation of 6,856 feet! You'll find it nestled south of Seattle in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, near the slightly smaller Kuss Peak. How do you get to the top? Well, it's a chairlift access trail that kicks off from Crystal Mountain Resort. The climb is just under 3 miles, but don't let the short distance fool you—you'll be gaining over 2,300 feet in elevation! That's an average gradient of nearly 16%, so get ready for a workout! Heads up: this trail is usually snowed in until late June or even July. But once you can make it, you're in for some serious scenery.
hardDriving the unpaved road to Inspiration Point in Utah
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an epic Utah adventure? Let me tell you about Inspiration Point (aka Willard Mountain!) in Box Elder County. Getting to this 9,412-foot summit is no joke, but the views are SO worth it. We're talking about Willard Peak Road (FR20084), a 14-mile dirt track that climbs a hefty 4,200 feet from Mantua. That's an average gradient of 5.57%, so buckle up! This isn't a Sunday drive; it's bumpy, dusty, and rocky, heavily used, and totally requires a 4x4. Seriously, leave the compact car at home. Even with a Jeep or truck, you'll be crawling at 5-15 mph, carefully maneuvering around those big, exposed rocks. Oh, and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes! This road is usually open from July to October, because the snow gets crazy deep up there. Plus, the summit is super popular, especially from late May to September, and again in October, so expect company. But those views? Unbelievable! From the top, you can see from Salt Lake through the Wasatch Front to Huntsville and into Cache Valley. On a clear day, you might even spot Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming. Plus, there are cool old mines to explore, like the Eldorado Mine below Willard Peak. Trust me, the panoramic vistas are absolutely unforgettable!
moderateWhere is Goldstone Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're craving a wild ride? Check out Goldstone Pass! It's perched way up on the Idaho-Montana border, a whopping 9,101 feet high. Seriously breathtaking. You'll find this beauty straddling Lemhi County, Idaho, and Beaverhead County, Montana, smack-dab in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet. On the Montana side it's Goldstone Road, and in Idaho it's Pratt Creek Road. Did I mention it's one of the highest roads in Idaho? The climb is pretty intense. From Bloody Dick Road, it's a 3.5-mile push, gaining 1,456 feet in elevation. Expect an average grade of almost 8%, with some ramps hitting over 10%! Keep an eye out for cool, abandoned mining relics along the way. Just a heads up: this route's usually open from late May to early November, depending on the snow. Perfect for a summer/fall adventure!