Road trip guide: Conquering Sunset Mountain in ID
Usa, north-america
7.4 km
2,393 m
hard
Year-round
Sunset Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.393m (7,851ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.
Set high in the Boise National Forest, in southwest Idaho, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Sunset Mountain Road (Forest Road 316). The road has a few rough places, so a high clearance vehicle is required. The summit hosts a lookout tower built in 1958. The views are extensive with Boise Mountains in all directions.
Located in the northwestern corner of Boise Range, this road is usually closed from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It is not generally snow-free until late June or even July in some years. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 26% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at
, the ascent is 7.40km (4.6 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 522 meters. The average gradient is 7.05%.
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,393 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Barlow Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Hey fellow adventurers! Let me tell you about Barlow Pass in northwestern Washington, nestled in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This place is a gem! You can park right at the top (elevation 2,355ft), making it super accessible. Heads up though – bring your own water, as the local stuff has some not-so-friendly heavy metals. You'll cruise up the Mountain Loop Highway to get there. Picture this: towering mountains in every direction – seriously stunning. The road’s paved on both ends, but there's a 14-mile (21 km) stretch around the pass that’s a single-lane gravel road. Keep an eye on conditions, as floods sometimes cause closures. The whole shebang is about 52.5 miles long, winding through some unforgettable scenery. Barlow Pass is also the trailhead for Monte Cristo, a cool old mining ghost town. The road there is blocked off – and for good reason! It's super rough and not for cars, but the trail itself is pretty manageable, though those past floods did leave their mark. Happy trails!
moderateWitches Rock Road in Connecticut is said to be the scary of scaries
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for a seriously spooky drive down Witches Rock Road in Connecticut's Hartford County! This paved stretch, just a little over a mile long, runs north to south, connecting Fall Mountain Road and Spindle Hill Road, west of Cedar Lake. But it's not just the scenery that'll grab you – it's the legend. Back in the 1700s, locals whispered about witches gathering around a massive rock formation that still leans over the road today. They say the area's cursed and haunted, so keep your eyes peeled – you never know what might cross your path! It's an eerie, atmospheric drive you won't soon forget.
moderateWauconda Pass, a chillout road in high mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Today we're hitting Wauconda Pass in Washington State, right near the Canadian border in Okanogan County. We're talking about a serious climb here on State Route 20 (SR 20). It's paved, thankfully, but don't let that fool you – it gets *steep*. This baby stretches for 16.9 miles (27.19km) between Wauconda and Republic. Prepare for some seriously stunning scenery as you gain altitude to 4,317 feet (1.316m). Keep your eyes on the road though – those views can be distracting on a road like this.
hardHow long is Beef Basin Trail in Utah?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southeastern Utah, just south of Canyonlands National Park, on Beef Basin Road #093. This isn't your average Sunday drive though; it's a proper 132km (81.9-mile) off-road adventure! You'll need a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to handle this bad boy. There's even a point where the signs basically scream that you better have some serious off-roading chops and a rugged ride. You *might* be able to sneak into some parts (like around the Tower and Farmhouse Ruins) in a 2WD with the right tires and an experienced driver who really knows their stuff, *if* the conditions are perfect. But honestly, even then, I'd recommend at least a high-clearance AWD vehicle just to be safe. Keep an eye on the weather too! Beef Basin gets seriously hot and dry, especially in the summer. Pack at least a gallon of water per person, per day – you'll thank me later. And remember, Southern Utah roads can change in a heartbeat depending on the weather, so stay alert. This route is usually closed during the winter months (November to April, give or take) because of snow.