Is the road to Storm Mountain in Colorado unpaved?

Is the road to Storm Mountain in Colorado unpaved?

Usa, north-america

Length

21.08 km

Elevation

3,006 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Storm Mountain in Colorado is calling your name. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 9,862 feet!

Forget pavement – you'll be kicking up dust on Storm Mountain Road (aka Cedar Park Road) from the get-go. The start's a bit twisty, so ease into it. The trail is narrow, making passing a bit of an adventure. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. Keep your eyes peeled for fallen trees trying to block your path!

The adventure starts near Drake, off US Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon. From there, it's about 13.1 miles of pure uphill fun, climbing over 3,600 feet. That's an average incline of around 5%, so get ready for a good climb!

Heads up: this road is seasonal, usually open from mid-June until the snow flies around December 1st.

But is it worth it? Absolutely! You're cruising through prime wildlife territory in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, moose, and even bears! And the views from the top? Unbelievable. You'll get a killer, unobstructed panorama of the front range cities and Estes Park.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
21.08 km
Max Elevation
3,006 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Bear Lake in Colorado?easy

Where is Bear Lake in Colorado?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Bear Lake in Colorado! This alpine beauty sits way up high at 9,491 feet in Larimer County. We're talking Rocky Mountain National Park, about 13 miles southwest of Estes Park. Getting there is a breeze on the fully paved Bear Lake Road. They spruced it up back in 2012, widening the lanes and smoothing things out. The road itself is about 9.3 miles long, starting from US-36. You'll climb around 1273 feet, so it's a gentle climb with amazing views. Word of warning, though: this place is POPULAR. Over two million people a year cruise Bear Lake Road, so expect some traffic, especially during the summer. Get there early on weekends 'cause the parking lot fills up FAST. The good news is, the road is usually open year-round, and they keep it plowed, so you can experience the lake even in winter. Just keep an eye on the weather, 'cause things can change quickly up there! Seriously, you don't want to miss this.

Mentasta Pass, a paved road in Alaskamoderate

Mentasta Pass, a paved road in Alaska

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, road trip lovers, listen up! I've got a sweet Alaskan adventure for you: Mentasta Pass! Cruising along Alaska Route 1, aka the Glenn Highway, you'll climb to 2,424 feet above sea level. This isn't some nail-biting, white-knuckle drive, though. We're talking a well-maintained, two-lane paved road stretching for about 64 glorious miles. The journey begins near Slana, winds its way through the stunning Alaskan wilderness, and deposits you near Tok. Expect breathtaking scenery, vast open spaces, and that feeling of being utterly dwarfed by nature. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and maybe pack some snacks for the ride. It's a long one, but trust me, the views are totally worth it!

The road to Urique is not recommended due to security concernsextreme

The road to Urique is not recommended due to security concerns

🇲🇽 Mexico

Urique, nestled deep in the Copper Canyon (Chihuahua, Mexico), is a town that's worth the effort to reach! But let me tell you, getting there is an adventure in itself. The road? Oh, it's an experience! Think over 100 turns winding down into the canyon. We're talking a gravel track that plummets around 2,000 meters in just 14 kilometers of seriously tight switchbacks. Not one for nervous drivers, and definitely a no-go in the rainy season, or if the police advise against it due to safety. Locals say it's pretty rough. Check conditions before you commit! The full gravel stretch clocks in at 54 kilometers. The first 40ish are standard Mexican gravel road fare, but those final 14? Hold on tight! We're talking narrow, seriously exposed cliff edges, barely enough room for two cars to pass, zero guardrails, and hairpin turns that limit visibility. This road, built in 1975, is a true test of skill. Vertigo sufferers, beware! Landslide fears? Maybe skip this one. Concentrate, because the drop-offs are intense. But the biggest challenge is oncoming traffic —blind curves and minimal passing spots make it a real nail-biter. Basically, it's a road for the exceptionally brave (or those getting paid!). Still, the views are *epic.*

Copper Mountainhard

Copper Mountain

🇺🇸 Usa

Copper Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.758m (12,329ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado. The road to the summit, located within the  White River National Forest, is a chairlift access trail. It’s gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. Winter comes early and stays late on this trail, so you may only be able to safely run it in the middle of the summer. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 vehicle with high clearance required. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. 5 Essential Safety Protocols for Driving Remote and Dangerous Routes 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.