
Quartzite Mountain
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,654 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Lemhi County, Idaho, you HAVE to check out Quartzite Mountain. We're talking serious altitude here – 8,707 feet (2,654m)! The road up, NF-113 (aka Yellowjacket Lake Road), is a proper gravel track calling out for a 4WD. You'll find it nestled within the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Word to the wise: keep an eye on the weather. This isn't a drive to attempt in a storm. We're talking potential avalanches, heavy snow, and even landslides, not to mention those sneaky patches of ice. But if you time it right? The views are INSANE. At the summit, you'll find firepits to get cozy, and keep your eyes peeled for the metal bench perfectly placed to soak in the valley views. Trust me, this is a memory-maker.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,654 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Blowout Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Blowout Pass! It's this crazy high mountain pass tucked away in the Rio Grande National Forest, in the eastern San Juan Mountains. Seriously, the views are insane. Fair warning: this road is STEEP. We're talking brutally steep in sections – around . The whole thing is unpaved, but honestly, it's not too bad, just a few bumpy parts. Starting near , it's about to the top. You climb in elevation, which works out to an average gradient of . Keep in mind that this road is usually snowed in during the winter. If you're looking for a peaceful drive with incredible scenery, and not a lot of other cars around, Blowout Pass needs to be on your list!
hardHana Highway: 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges in Hawaii
🇺🇸 Usa
# The Road to Hana: Maui's Epic Coastal Adventure Buckle up for one of the world's most stunning drives! Located on the eastern side of Maui, the legendary Road to Hana stretches 52 miles from Kahului and delivers pure magic at every turn. Picture this: mountains towering on one side, the sparkling ocean on the other, and hidden waterfalls stealing your attention around every corner. It's tropical paradise on wheels. Fair warning though—this road is seriously curvy. We're talking about 617 switchbacks packed into those 52 miles. You'll cross 56 bridges (46 of them are just one lane wide), navigate steep cliffs, dodge falling rocks, and deal with those confusing mile markers that keep resetting. Oh, and did we mention it rains constantly? Wet roads and blind curves are part of the deal here. The payoff? Absolutely worth it. The drive meanders through lush rainforests, past black-sand beaches, through valleys, and along dramatic coastal cliffs. It's basically nature's greatest hits collection. Most people take 3-4 hours for the complete journey—and that's with stops. Pro tip: hit the road on a weekday morning to avoid the 1,000+ daily tourists. The road itself is fully paved and in decent shape—not dangerous, just genuinely challenging. Take those tight U-curves slowly and use your horn to alert oncoming traffic. The trickiest bit comes about half a mile after mile marker 6, where you've got barely any wiggle room. Built in the 1800s and fully paved by 1962, the Road to Hana has earned its reputation as one of Earth's best coastal drives. Start early, take your time, and prepare to have your mind blown.
hardHow to Travel the Wild Road to Idaho Peak in British Columbia
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Idaho Peak in British Columbia, Canada! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. At 2,121 meters (that's nearly 7,000 feet!) you're practically touching the sky. Nestled in the West Kootenay region, this hidden gem boasts a lookout tower with mind-blowing views of the Selkirk Mountains and Slocan Lake. Seriously, your Instagram will thank you. Now, let's talk about the road. Idaho Peak Road is a wild child – unpaved, rough, narrow, and seriously steep. Think switchbacks galore! Keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic because passing spots are rare. And pro-tip: give your brakes a breather on the way down. Good news: if you've got a high-clearance vehicle, you should be golden. Low riders? Maybe sit this one out. The climb starts in Sandon, winding 11.7 km (about 7.3 miles) with a hefty 1,074-meter climb and an average gradient of 9.17%. Translation? It's a workout for your car! Heads up, this epic drive is only open from about mid-July to mid-August. Mother Nature calls the shots!
hardWhere is Mount Disappointment?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: Mount Disappointment, sitting pretty at almost 6,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains, just an hour outside of Los Angeles. Fun fact: back in the day, some surveyors thought it was the tallest peak around, but turns out, San Gabriel Peak was higher. Hence, the name! The road up, Mount Disappointment Road, is paved, but not exactly smooth sailing. Think hairpin turns galore! It's about 3 miles from Mt. Wilson Red Box Road to the top, and it's a climb, gaining over 1200 feet with a pretty noticeable incline. Unfortunately, the road is blocked by a gate and closed to private vehicles. So, what's at the top? Well, back in the 50s, they lopped off the summit to build a missile site. Now it's got telecommunication towers all over it. But here's the kicker: the views! Seriously, you get a full 360-degree panorama, from the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles all the way out to the Pacific. Plus, you can check out the old missile pad and some cool rock formations. Nestled in the Angeles National Forest, this drive is surrounded by pine trees and killer scenery. Definitely a unique spot with a wild history!