Sidney Peak
Usa, north-america
N/A
3,291 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Sidney Peak in Utah's Garfield County, a beast of a mountain road sitting at a cool 10,797 feet above sea level. Nestled in Dixie National Forest, this isn't your average Sunday drive.
The road is gravel, and trust me, it gets steep and gnarly in sections. You'll definitely want a 4x4 to tackle this one. Speaking of tackling, be prepared for rapidly changing weather – things can get dicey real quick. Plus, closures are pretty common.
But here's the payoff: the views are absolutely breathtaking! This winding mountain road delivers miles of pure scenic bliss. Just a heads up, though, it can turn into a muddy, slippery mess after a rain shower. So, do your homework, check the conditions before you go, and be prepared. This road is no joke, especially if it's wet or dark. And listen, if you've got respiratory issues or a heart condition, maybe sit this one out. Otherwise, get ready for an epic ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,291 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Rollins Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Rollins Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.565m (11,696ft) above sea level in the U.S. state of Colorado. Where is Rollins Pass? The pass is located on the boundary between Gilpin, Boulder, and Grand counties in Colorado. It sits to the east of Winter Park on the Continental Divide at the crest of the Front Range southwest of Boulder. Can you drive Rollins Pass? The road to the summit, also known as Corona Pass, is totally unpaved with lots of holes and small to bigger rocks. It follows the path of an old railroad and is called County Road 80 (or Corona Pass Road). This road is not well maintained. A high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is required in the summer in good weather. The road starts a few miles outside the town of Rollinsville and comes to a dead end on the east side of Rollins Pass at the closed Needle Eye Tunnel, a short high altitude railroad tunnel. Is Rollins Pass open? Set high in the Southern Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado, the road to the summit, which was originally known as Boulder Pass, is usually impassable from November 15 through June 15 (depending on snow). How long is Rollins Pass? Starting at US-40, the road to the summit is 16.57km (10.3 miles) long. The drive is pretty steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 782 meters. The average gradient is 4.71%. When was the road to Rollins Pass in Colorado built? This historic road over the Continental Divide was the original Hill Route of the Denver, Northwestern, and Pacific Railway built by David H. Moffat in 1903. The first road through the pass was built in 1949. From 1955-1979, Rollins Pass served as a complete road over the mountain pass for automobiles until a rockfall in Needle's Eye tunnel in 1979 closed the path over the pass. In 1988, after several studies and structural strengthening of Needle's Eye was accomplished, the complete road was re-opened only to close permanently in 1990, after a rock fell from the ceiling injuring a Denver firefighter. Is Rollins Pass in Colorado worth it? The drive is worth it. It provides many scenic views of the lakes and the mountains in the area as well as access to the historical Needle Eye tunnel. The area is a popular recreational location for its spectacular views and wildflowers. A steep paved road to Tejon Pass in California Burr Trail is an unforgettable scenic drive in Utah 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.
moderateIs the road to Haleakalā paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! We're heading to the summit of Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill) on Maui, a staggering 10,023 feet above sea level! The road to the top, known as Crater Road or Route 378, is a fully paved adventure. It kicks off in Kahului and stretches for nearly 35 glorious miles into the Haleakalā mountains. Pro-tip: Pukalani or Makawao are your last stops for supplies, so stock up on snacks and gas. Trust me, this drive is worth it. At the summit, you'll find a huge parking lot and the Haleakalā Observatory. The summit building itself offers unbelievable panoramic views. On a clear day? Forget about it! You can spot Hawaiʻi (Big Island), Lanaʻi, Molokaʻi, and even Oʻahu. Now, about the road itself: It’s a well-maintained two-lane highway, but hold on tight! There are tons of blind turns, seriously steep drop-offs (without guardrails!), and a whopping 32 switchbacks! Keep an eye out for cows, nene geese and other critters that might wander onto the road. Fog can also roll in and reduce visibility. This epic road was built in the 1930s, taking two years to complete, and it snakes its way through Haleakalā National Park. It's a record-breaker, too, gaining the most elevation in the shortest distance (35 miles) anywhere! Be prepared for some serious climbing, with gradients hitting 15% in places. You'll gain over 9,900 feet in elevation with an average gradient of 5.39%. This is one unforgettable drive!
moderateDriving the paved mountain road to Poncha Pass in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Colorado? You HAVE to drive Poncha Pass! This beauty sits at 9,025 feet, right on the border between Saguache and Chaffee counties in south-central Colorado. It's like the ultimate connector, linking the San Luis Valley to the south with the Arkansas River valley to the north, and it neatly divides the Rio Grande and Arkansas River watersheds. The whole route is paved – you'll be cruising on U.S. Highway 285. And the best part? The slopes are super gentle, barely hitting 5% on the south side. Get ready for a 21.6-mile (34.76 km) scenic stretch from Villa Grove to Poncha Springs. Perched where the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains meet, Poncha Pass is one of the lowest high-altitude passes in Colorado. Usually, you can drive it year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter – things can get dicey and closures can happen. Watch out for falling rocks and debris, and be aware that mudslides can sometimes shut the road down!
extremeSiskiyou Summit in Oregon is one of the more perilous sections of Interstate 5
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! Let's talk about Siskiyou Summit, a seriously epic mountain pass hanging out in Jackson County, Oregon. We're talking 4,310 feet above sea level, so get ready for some views! Just a hop, skip, and a jump (well, about 4 miles) from the California border, you'll find this beauty nestled in the Siskiyou Mountains. You'll be cruising on Interstate 5 (aka the Pacific Highway), and this pass is the king of the hill when it comes to elevation on that route. This north-south stretch of road is right in the heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. You'll be rolling from Medford, Oregon, down to Yreka, California – a 51.1-mile journey. Now, heads up – things get a little spicy here. Depending on which way you're going, you'll either be gaining or losing a whopping 2,300 feet in just 6 miles thanks to some pretty steep 6% grades. That northbound section from Milepost 18? Yeah, that's a 6% downhill grade, dropping 2,000 feet in under 10 km. The descent can be especially tricky, particularly when fog rolls in and visibility drops to near zero. And get this – despite the challenges, around 13,000 trucks use this route *every single day*. Keep in mind: you're in the mountains! Altitude and crazy weather are always in play. Its location near the Pacific combined with its elevation and winding curves can bring heavy snowfall and freezing rain, sometimes forcing road closures during the winter. Snow is common from November to April, and the road can be shut down for days during severe weather, and sometimes even when the weather seems fine. During winter, expect snow and ice on the road. Definitely avoid driving at night or early morning during these months, and keep an ear on the radio for weather and road condition updates. It’s a road trip to remember (if you plan ahead)!