Road trip guide: Conquering McFadden Peak
Usa, north-america
2.09 km
2,177 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about McFadden Peak in Arizona's Gila County! This hidden gem sits high in the Sierra Ancha mountains, boasting an elevation of 7,142 feet.
Forget pavement, because the journey to the top is all about that rugged, unpaved life on McFadden Peck Road/Forest Road 561. Trust me, it's worth it. The summit is home to a lookout tower and a handy parking area, so you can soak in those panoramic views.
Now, let's get real about the climb. Starting from the Globe-Young Highway, it's a short but intense 1.3-mile ascent. Don't let the short distance fool you, though. You'll gain 790 feet in elevation, making for an average gradient of 11.53%. It's a leg burner! Oh, and FYI, this peak is named after a William McFadden.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.09 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,177 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardDriving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you’re in Colfax County, New Mexico, and craving a seriously epic drive, you NEED to check out Baldy Mountain (also called Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy by the locals). At a whopping 12,185 feet, this peak delivers views that’ll make your jaw drop. This isn't your average Sunday drive though; this 7.95-mile unpaved road used to be an old mining route, so keep an eye out for relics of the past! Starting near Elizabethtown, off NM-38, you'll climb over 3,500 feet. That means an average grade of over 8%, and hold on tight, because there are 17 hairpin turns to conquer! A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST for this trek. Speaking of treks, don’t even THINK about attempting this during the winter – the snow is no joke, and the road often stays closed well into July. Summer brings its own challenges, too. Monsoon season can unleash some serious rain, hail, and lightning. But if you brave it, the views are absolutely worth it!
extremeTravel guide to the top of Lunch Peak in ID
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk Lunch Peak! Nestled way up in the Cabinet Mountains of northern Idaho, inside the Kaniksu National Forest, this peak clocks in at a cool 6,417 feet. Getting to the top is an adventure in itself. We're talking Lunch Peak Road #1091: a 15.5-mile, totally unpaved climb from Trestle Creek. While it's generally kept in good shape, you'll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Some of those hills get seriously steep, hitting a 9% grade! You'll gain over 4,300 feet on your way up, so buckle in. The reward? A lookout tower built in '71, and views that are absolutely worth the bumpy ride. We're talking the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, the Selkirk Mountains, and the sparkling beauty of Lake Pend Oreille stretching out before you. Trust me, you won't regret this trek!
extremeHow To Travel The Morrison Jeep Trail In Wyoming
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for the Morrison Jeep Trail, a seriously gnarly ride in Wyoming's Park County! Tucked away in the Shoshone National Forest, northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forest Road 120 stretches for 22 miles from the Clarks Fork River valley up to the Beartooth Plateau. Picture this: a super narrow, single-lane track with zero room to pull over. You're out there, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by moose, bears (black and grizzly!), mountain goats, and bobcats. No cell service, so you're on your own. The road? Intense. Think massive rocks, deep ruts, and a wild climb to 10,193 feet above sea level. Only high-clearance, 4WD vehicles need apply! Brace yourself for 27 hairpin switchbacks as you ascend from the Clarks Fork River. We're talking serious drop-offs – hundreds of feet! – on one side. Those turns? Narrow, steep, and often steeper than they look, with some grades hitting 25 degrees. Expect to spend around 7 hours conquering this beast. Keep an eye on your map, as single-track trails branch off in every direction. This road is typically snowed in from late October through late June/early July. Definitely avoid it when it’s wet or muddy! You'll face some technical, rocky climbs, plus those long, straight grinders as you hit the 10,000-foot mark. Oxygen levels are low, so be prepared.
extremeHow to get by car to Badwater Basin, the lowest point of North America?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Death Valley National Park in eastern California, heading towards a spot so low, it's almost unbelievable. I'm talking about Badwater Basin, a vast salt flat sitting at a whopping 282 feet *below* sea level – the absolute bottom of the barrel in North America! The road in, Badwater Road (aka CA 178), is paved the whole way, so no need for a 4x4. You'll hop on from Furnace Creek (off CA-190) for a smooth 15.5-mile ride. It's mostly gentle, with a few short ramps kicking up to a 4% gradient. Keep an eye out for the "SEA LEVEL" sign high up on the cliffs – it really puts things into perspective, showing just how far down you are. The landscape is seriously surreal. This whole area used to be a lake, but over time, it dried up, leaving behind crazy salt formations. The name? Legend has it a thirsty traveler tried to give the water to his mule, but it was so salty, the poor thing refused to drink it! Hence, "Badwater." Now, Death Valley isn't messing around with its climate. It's one of the hottest places on earth, so come prepared. Major rainstorms can flood the valley floor, so be aware of your surroundings. If you're there in a downpour, get to higher ground pronto! And remember, cell service can be spotty, so don't rely on your phone. The drive itself takes about 30 minutes without stops, but you'll want to pull over and soak it all in. The basin itself is otherworldly. Word to the wise: it gets crowded, especially on weekends. You can see it from the parking lot, but make sure you check out Artist’s Drive along the way – more mind-blowing Death Valley scenery you won't want to miss. Trust me, Badwater Basin is a bucket-list destination!