
Shrine Mountain Inn
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,431 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're heading to Eagle County, Colorado? Sweet! You HAVE to check out Shrine Mountain Inn. Picture this: three cozy cabins – Walters, Chucks, and Jays – nestled high up in the Gore Range, between Vail Pass and the cute town of Red Cliff. You'll be cruising on Shrine Pass Road (FSR 709), and let me tell you, the views are insane as you climb to 11,256 feet!
The road's mostly gravel and usually in decent shape, but it can get a bit narrow and rocky in spots. I'd recommend an SUV or 4WD, just to be safe, though sometimes a high-clearance 2WD vehicle can make it. This gem is usually open from June to September, but remember you're in the mountains! The weather can flip on a dime, and they close the road sometimes, so check conditions before you go. High altitude and crazy weather are always a possibility here, no matter the season. Trust me, it's worth it for those views!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,431 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Vail Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Vail Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,251m (10,666ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the steepest paved mountain passes in Colorado The pass is located on the boundary between Summit and Eagle counties, in the central part of Colorado. Why is it named Vail Pass? The pass is named for Charles Vail, a highway engineer. How long is the road to Vail Pass? The road to the summit is 32km (20.4 miles) long, running from Vail to . The first paved highway over the pass was completed in 1940. In the 1970s, the route was upgraded to Interstate 70. Is Vail Pass dangerous? The road to the summit is paved and called Interstate 70 (I-70). The highway is extremely steep on both sides (eastbound or westbound) and has at least a 7 to 8 percent grade at one point or another. Much like , its windy nature features hairpin turns and brutal winter weather. The pass crests at 10,660 feet above sea level, and two runaway truck ramps exist on the westbound side for victims of brake failure. The steep sides provide drivers with little room for error. These slippery mountain stretches are notoriously dangerous in the winter and are prone to multi-car accidents because it’s easy for drivers to lose control of their autos. Set high in the Rocky Mountains, access to the pass is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. Vail Pass is the most dangerous section of the highway on the route from during the Winter. It is frequently closed by local authorities during severe snowstorms, as conditions become undrivable. Travelers should be prepared for changing conditions and near-zero visibility in winters. The breathtaking road to Red Cone Pass in Colorado Driving the scenic Saddle Road in Hawaii 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.
moderateA Paved Road Through the Peguis Canyon in Chihuahua
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Mexican state of Chihuahua, heading into the epic Cañón Pegüis. This geological wonder is where the Conchos River decided to carve a 2,000-foot-deep path right through a mountain – seriously impressive! You'll find this jaw-dropping canyon in the northwestern part of Mexico, nestled within the protected Área Natural Protegida Cañón y Sierra del Pegüis. The road itself? It's fully paved (phew!), and known as Mexico 16. We're talking about a 226 km (140-mile) stretch of road that runs east-west, connecting the town of Ojinaga near the US border to Chihuahua City, the state's vibrant capital. Buckle up for seriously stunning views of Peguis Canyon along the way!
moderateBrasstown Bald is the highest road in the US state of Georgia
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Brasstown Bald! This mountain peak in Georgia is a must-see. Perched right on the Towns and Union county line, it's the highest point in the whole state at 4,784 feet. Locals used to call it Mount Enotah, which has a nice ring to it, right? Getting to the top is an adventure in itself. You'll be cruising up Georgia State Route 180 Spur, a paved road that gets seriously steep. There's even a little gravel section where another trail crosses, just to keep things interesting. The climb kicks off from the junction with Georgia 180 and stretches for about 3 miles. Don't let the distance fool you—you're gaining a whopping 1,808 feet in elevation! That’s an average grade of 11.2%, earning it the nickname "Alpe d'Huez of North America." Up top, you're rewarded with incredible views from a five-story lookout tower. The whole area is part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, so you know the scenery is going to be epic. And for those who want to learn more, there's an 8,000 sq. ft. museum with cool exhibits. Need a souvenir? The gift shop in the parking lot has you covered with forest-themed goodies and local crafts. On a clear day, you can see for miles – we're talking up to 80 miles! You'll be able to spot parts of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. And on those super clear days in late September and October? You might even catch a glimpse of the Atlanta skyline. Word to the wise: check the weather before you head out. This area has its own microclimate, so fog, mist, and storms can roll in unexpectedly. If the weather's bad, the gates will be closed. But if you time it right, the 360-degree views from Brasstown Bald are totally worth the trip.
hardDriving the 4x4 Road to the Lookout at Greenstone Mountain in BC
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Greenstone Mountain in British Columbia is calling your name! This peak tops out at 1,798m (5,898ft) and offers incredible views from the historic Greenstone Fire Lookout near Kamloops. Heads up: the lookout's not abandoned! The Logan Lake ATV Club totally revamped it with a fresh roof, paint job, and *amazing* triple-pane windows. Seriously, the views are worth the drive alone. Plus, there's an outhouse and picnic table! The road up, Greenstone Road, is all unpaved goodness, about 21.5 km (13.35 miles) from the Trans-Canada Highway. Expect a steady climb, gaining 1,202m in elevation. Most of the road is pretty manageable, but the last 300 meters? Buckle up! It's steep, rocky, and might test your off-roading skills. You can drive up to the communication towers, then it's a quick hike to the real summit and the fire lookout. Keep in mind, you're in Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park, so this road is usually snowed in during winter and opens around the first week of June. Also, watch out for muddy patches if it's been raining!