Road trip guide: Conquering Burned Mountain
Usa, north-america
5.14 km
3,048 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a high-altitude thrill in New Mexico, Burned Mountain is calling your name. We're talking about a rugged, unpaved climb up to a whopping 10,000 feet in Rio Arriba County. Forget your fancy sports cars – this baby demands a 4x4! Forest Road 91B is the name of the game, a 3.2-mile dirt track that kicks off from the paved US-64. Prepare for some serious inclines, with gradients hitting a maximum of 9% in places. Word to the wise: winters are a no-go. But when the weather's right, get ready for incredible scenery as you conquer one of New Mexico's highest roads!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,048 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Shrine Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so Shrine Pass in Colorado is seriously stunning, a dirt road adventure hitting a lung-busting 11,187 feet! You'll find it smack-dab in the White River National Forest, straddling Eagle and Summit counties. They call it Shrine Pass because you get an amazing view of the Mount of the Holy Cross from up there. The road itself, Shrine Pass Road (Forest Road 709), is unpaved and narrow. Back in the day, it was the main drag between Denver and Glenwood Springs, before the I-70 came along. It’s generally in good shape, but can get rocky in spots. While you might see some sturdy 2WD vehicles braving it, a SUV or 4WD is a safer bet. There's usually room to pass, and a few spots to pull over for those postcard-worthy pics. Keep in mind, this beauty is only accessible from June to September, depending on the snow. Trust me, it's worth the trip for the views of wildflowers and pine forests in the summer, or the awesome fall colors. It’s a popular spot, but never feels too crowded. The whole pass stretches for about 11.9 miles, linking I-70 to US-24 near Red Cliff.
moderateBaxter Peak, a road for experienced drivers
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Colorado's Garfield County, hidden amongst the mighty Rockies, lies Baxter Peak. This baby tops out at a whopping 10,990 feet! The route to get there? Prepare for an off-road rumble! We're talking the legendary Transfer Trail (aka Forest Road 602), a completely unpaved beast. Heads up, though – this road is typically closed to most vehicles from November through May due to heavy snow. Summer is your best bet to tackle this trail. Starting near Glenwood Springs, you'll be winding your way through the stunning White River National Forest for about 16.2 miles. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive. This road demands respect. We're talking high-clearance vehicles and confident drivers only, especially when heading uphill. But the views? Absolutely worth the challenge!
moderateThe Ultimate Road Trip To Mount Bross in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
# Mount Bross: Colorado's Sky-High Mining Adventure Want to drive one of the highest roads in the USA? Head to Park County in central Colorado, just west of Denver, where you'll find Mount Bross tucked into the Pike National Forest. This 13,356-foot peak sits in the stunning Mosquito Range and comes with some serious bragging rights. The journey follows County Road 787—also called Windy Ridge Road—an old mining road that's completely unpaved. The official drive ends near the Mineral Park mine in Dolly Varden Gulch, and honestly, most of the route is pretty straightforward. But here's where it gets real: as you climb higher, things get narrow and rocky. We're talking loose rock, tight spots, and seriously exposed sections that'll make full-size vehicle owners nervous. Compact SUVs and high-clearance vehicles are your friends here. Fair warning—the summit itself is private property, and owners haven't allowed public access to the actual peak since 2005. You'll see a no-vehicle marker about 150 feet from the top, so respect that boundary. The whole mountain is basically a patchwork of old mining claims and roads, which is part of its charm and complexity. Here's the reality check: this road is only reliably accessible during summer months. Afternoon thunderstorms pop up almost daily and roll across the peak like clockwork. Get up early and plan to be back down by noon—lightning at 13,000 feet isn't worth the risk. But those views? Absolutely worth the effort. You'll see other 14ers stretching across the horizon, historic mining relics scattered everywhere, and some of Colorado's most breathtaking alpine scenery. It's history, adventure, and mountain beauty all rolled into one unforgettable drive.
hardOrd Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an off-road adventure in Southern California? Check out Ord Mountain in San Bernardino County! This peak clocks in at 4,527 feet and gives you killer views, if you can handle the drive. We're talking Mojave Desert terrain, people! The road up is basically a gravel, rocky, bouncy dream (or nightmare, depending on your suspension). Hamburger Hill Off Road Trail is the name, and getting rad is the game. Heads up: this trail's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. Once you're up there, the views are worth every bump. You'll get snow-capped San Bernardino mountains to the south, the Ord range stretching east and west, and the stunning Tyler Valley to the northwest. This used to be a mining area, so you'll see cool relics along the way. Definitely need a 4x4 and some solid off-roading skills for this one. It's steep in sections, and if you're not comfortable with heights or unpaved roads, maybe skip this one. But if you're an experienced wheeler looking for a challenge and incredible scenery, Ord Mountain is calling your name!