Lulu Pass in Montana is worth the white-knuckle drive

Lulu Pass in Montana is worth the white-knuckle drive

Usa, north-america

Length

8.36 km

Elevation

3,009 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Hey adventure seekers! Wanna tackle one of Montana's highest roads? Head to Park County and take on Lulu Pass, topping out at a cool 9,872 feet! You'll find it north of Cooke City, nestled in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the southwestern part of the state.

Fair warning: this ain't your Sunday drive. It's a 5.2-mile unpaved climb up an old mining road from Beartooth Highway (US-212). Think rough terrain and pretty steep inclines. You'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to conquer this one.

Keep in mind, Lulu Pass is typically snowed in from November to May. Even during the open season, the weather up here can be super unpredictable – think sudden chills and surprise storms. Be prepared!

Up top, you’ll find some cool historic ruins from the old New World Mining District. But the real reward? The mind-blowing views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and those gorgeous alpine meadows. Trust me, the bragging rights are totally worth it!

Where is it?

Lulu Pass in Montana is worth the white-knuckle drive is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.4483, -94.0822

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
8.36 km
Max Elevation
3,009 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.4483, -94.0822

Related Roads in north-america

Where is The Morrison Jeep Trail?extreme

Where is The Morrison Jeep Trail?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're craving a true off-road adventure, the Morrison Jeep Trail in Wyoming's Park County needs to be on your radar. Nestled in the Shoshone National Forest, northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Clocking in at 22 miles, this one-lane beast of a trail climbs from the Clarks Fork River valley up to the Beartooth Plateau. And when I say climb, I mean CLIMB. We're talking about topping out at 10,193 feet! Expect this journey to eat up about 7 hours of your day. But the views? Oh, the VIEWS! You'll be traversing some of the most remote and stunning landscapes Wyoming has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, bears (black AND grizzly!), mountain goats, and bobcats. Just remember, you're out there. Cell service? Forget about it. Now, let's talk about the challenge. This trail is NO JOKE. We're talking heavy rocks, deep ruts, and a whopping 27 switchbacks that'll test your driving skills (and your nerves!). You'll be hugging the edge with drop-offs of hundreds of feet. A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST. And those grades? Some hit a staggering 25 degrees! Keep in mind this road is usually closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. And trust me, you DO NOT want to tackle this when it's wet or muddy. Those rocky climbs will become your worst nightmare. Speaking of climbs, the altitude up here is real! You'll feel the thinner air, especially on those long, straight grinder sections above 10,000 feet. So, are you ready to put your rig and your skills to the ultimate test? The Morrison Jeep Trail awaits!

Where is Shunda Mountain?hard

Where is Shunda Mountain?

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada

Alright, road trip lovers, let's talk Shunda Mountain! This bad boy is a high-altitude peak located in west-central Alberta. You'll find a bunch of antennas and a fire lookout up top. Now, "Shunda" apparently means "mire" in a native language – fitting, considering the terrain! Heads up: the road to the top is completely unpaved – think rough, rocky, and ready for adventure. There are some seriously challenging bits with steep drop-offs, so you absolutely need a vehicle with high clearance and 4x4. The journey kicks off from the David Thompson Highway and climbs from there. Expect a good amount of elevation gain over a decent stretch, giving you a satisfying average gradient. Keep in mind, this isn't an all-year-round adventure. The road is usually impassable from November to June, so plan your trip for the rest of the year. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views from the summit are incredible: sweeping vistas of the east side of the Rockies, valleys, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Trust me, your camera roll will thank you!

Cave Mountainmoderate

Cave Mountain

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Let's talk about Cave Mountain, one of Nevada's giants, scraping the sky at 10,751 feet! You'll find this beauty nestled in White Pine County, smack-dab in the central-eastern part of the state. Heads up: the road to the top, Forest Development Road 574, is all gravel and typically snowed in from October to June (mother nature's call, really). A 4x4 is your best bet for this one. From Highway 486, you're looking at about 9.8 miles of uphill excitement. Expect a climb of around 3,500 feet with an average gradient of almost 7%. Trust me, you'll feel it! At the peak, you'll find a comm tower doing its thing. But, the real prize? The panoramic views that will absolutely steal your breath away. Get ready for some serious Nevada wilderness!

Blowhard Mountainhard

Blowhard Mountain

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Blowhard Mountain in Utah's Iron County is calling your name! We're talking serious elevation here – 10,708 feet! This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road, FR #277 (aka Blowhard Station Road), is a rugged gravel track through Dixie National Forest. Expect a bumpy, tippy, rocky ride that'll test your off-roading skills. Heads up, this bad boy is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. The trail is a steep climb, and summer thunderstorms can turn the road into a 4x4-only zone (or worse, totally impassable). At the top, you'll find a radar station humming away, but the real reward is the view – epic mountain scenery that'll make you forget all about the white-knuckle drive up.