Sunflower Hill

Sunflower Hill

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,135 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, folks, let me tell you about Sunflower Hill! This hidden gem sits high in California's Placer County, chilling at a cool 7,004 feet above sea level. You'll find it nestled within the Tahoe National Forest, but be warned: the road up, Foresthill Road (#88), is no walk in the park.

We're talking gravel and rocks, so leave your fancy sports car at home. Seriously, a 4WD is your best friend here, and a spare tire wouldn't hurt either. This route is definitely not for the faint of heart – or those who get queasy with heights! Expect some seriously steep sections. Oh, and pro tip: winters here are a no-go. Trust me, you won't be getting through the snow. But if you're up for a rugged adventure, the views from the top are totally worth the bumpy ride.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
2,135 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

How to Get by Car to La Lobera in Baja Californiahard

How to Get by Car to La Lobera in Baja California

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, so you’re cruising down the Transpeninsular Highway (that’s Mexican Federal Highway 1, by the way) and you hit Km 47.5. Time for a detour! You're about to discover La Lobera, a crazy-cool sea crater on Baja California’s wild west coast. Forget smooth asphalt, though – the next 5.1 km (or about 3.16 miles) is all unpaved, dusty goodness. Honestly, most 2-wheel drives can handle it when it's dry. But watch out after a rain shower; those potholes get gnarly! As you bump along, the scenery is epic. You'll see those dramatic Pacific waves crashing into the cliffs. The whole area is raw, rugged desert, dotted with cool coastal plants. Keep your eyes peeled for “juancitos” (little squirrels!) and ospreys. Trust me, arriving at La Lobera itself is worth every single bump. It's a massive hole revealing an underground beach crammed with sea lions! It’s seriously an unforgettable sight.

How to get by car to Sunrise Mt Rainier?moderate

How to get by car to Sunrise Mt Rainier?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for the ride to Sunrise Point in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington! This place is a real gem, perched at a whopping 6,420 feet – the highest you can drive in the whole park! The road, called Sunrise Park Road (creative, right?), is paved all the way. Just hop off WA-410 and get ready for a 15.4-mile climb. It’s a winding, steep road that opened way back in 1931. Word to the wise: if you're rocking an RV or trailer longer than 25 feet, it's best to skip the drive beyond the White River Campground intersection. Keep in mind, this road is a seasonal darling. Thanks to heavy snowfall, it's usually open from late June/early July to late September/early October. In late September, the road closes nightly at the White River Campground junction and reopens each morning as conditions permit. Without stops, the drive takes around 30 minutes, but trust me, you'll want to stop. The views are incredible, and there's a big parking lot at the top. Once you get there, you’re in for a treat: 360-degree views of valleys, Mount Rainier itself, and even other Cascade volcanoes like Mount Adams. If you have sharp eyes, you might even spot Mt. St. Helens in the distance! Sunrise Point is a total must-do for anyone visiting Mount Rainier.

A delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in COmoderate

A delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in CO

🇺🇸 Usa

Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.890m (9,481ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road is usually crowded during peak tourist season. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO paved? Set high in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road to the summit is and navigable by all passenger vehicles. It’s called Bear Lake Road. Starting at US-36, the drive is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. It's a dazzling little drive, with a few hairpin turns. The road was constructed in 1928. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO open? Access to the lake is typically , with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. At 2.890m (9,481ft), Bear Lake freezes in the winter. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO worth it? The drive is very scenic. It’s said to be one of the most famous roads in Rocky Mountain National Park . It has an estimated 2 million visitors each year. Traffic can be heavy especially in summer and on fall weekends and the Bear Lake parking lot often fills up by noon on busy summer days. It can be congested. Is the road to Bear Lake steep? The road to the summit is steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at US-36, the ascent is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 385 meters. The average gradient is 2.54%. 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.

Shafer Buttehard

Shafer Butte

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Shafer Butte in Southwest Idaho's Boise County, a summit sitting pretty at 7,595 feet. The road up, NF-374 (aka Shafer Butte Road), is a proper off-road experience. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta bumpiness! It's usually a no-go from October to June, thanks to the weather, so plan accordingly. This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive – experienced wheelers will love it, but if unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, maybe skip this one. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4. Heights aren't your friend? This might not be your jam, as this is a seriously steep climb with twists, turns, and narrows galore, guaranteeing a challenge for even seasoned drivers. Up, down, left, right – it's a constant rollercoaster! At the top, you'll find a collection of communication gear and a cool old fire lookout built way back in '58. These days, it's used for emergencies. Oh, and keep an eye on the sky – thunderstorms can turn this already tricky road into a 4x4-only zone...or worse, make it impassable!