
The breathtaking road to Bald Mountain in Blaine County
Usa, north-america
8.6 km
2,790 m
hard
Year-round
Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.790m (9,153ft) above the sea level, located in Blaine County, in the US state of Idaho.
Set high in the Smoky Mountains of the central part of Idaho, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s a chairlift service road of the Sun Valley ski resort. Starting at Ketchum, the road is 8.6km (5.3 miles) long.
Located in the Sawtooth National Forest, a 4x4 vehicle is required. The road is totally impassable in winters. It’s very steep. The elevation gain is 1.025 meters. The average gradient is 11.91%. In the NBC miniseries, 10.5: Apocalypse, this mountain is an extinct volcano.
Refueling Strategy: Regional Food Stops Across the USA
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Staircase in Washington
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
- 8.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,790 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
A Tourist Icon Built in Record Time
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Just outside Cañon City, Colorado, you'll find the legendary Royal Gorge Bridge, a true marvel of engineering and a total feast for the eyes. Back in 1929, they threw this thing up in just seven months – can you believe it? For over 70 years, it was the "World's Highest Bridge"! Forget your typical commute; this bridge was built purely for thrills. These days, it's the star attraction of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, packed with rides and heart-stopping attractions. Now, let's talk views. Standing on this bridge is an experience. You're staring straight down into one of Colorado's deepest canyons, and the classic wood-plank deck gives you a front-row seat to the dizzying drop. Below, the Arkansas River snakes through the gorge, and the trains look like tiny toys chugging along the canyon floor. This bridge has seen it all, from daring bungee jumps to aerial stunts. It's even survived some serious weather – fierce mountain gusts and even a raging wildfire. But don't worry, it's still standing strong! Heads up: if you're afraid of heights, this might test your limits. And be prepared for those Colorado winds, especially in the spring and early summer. You'll be walking only, as the bridge is pedestrian-only. Park at the entrance, and get ready for an unforgettable walk! Getting here is easy. From Cañon City, just hop on U.S. 50. Coming from Colorado Springs? Take Highway 115 to Florence and then U.S. 50 West. Or, for a longer, more scenic route, go through Woodland Park on Highway 67 to U.S. 50.
moderateWhere Is Moon Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, fellow adventurers, buckle up for Moon Pass in southern Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a climb to 10,580 feet above sea level, so be prepared for some serious views. The road stretches for about 11.1 miles, climbing 1,893 feet. That gives you an average gradient of just over 3%, a pretty steady climb. Now, about the road itself: it's unpaved, but generally well-maintained. Still, a 4x4 is highly recommended, and it's worth it. You'll be winding through some stunning scenery, the kind that makes you want to stop every five minutes to snap a photo. Just be mindful of the hazards and keep your eyes on the road!
easyWhy Is It Called Deadman Summit?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Deadman Summit in California! This high-altitude pass sits way up there, offering killer views you won't believe. Why "Deadman," you ask? Well, legend says it's named after a, uh, *headless* body found nearby back in the day. Spooky! The good news is the road itself is totally paved and smooth, so no need for a monster truck. It's part of , stretching from near the cute village of . Keep in mind it's open year-round, but winter can bring short closures, so check the conditions before you go! Get ready for some stunning scenery, just watch out for, you know, ghosts.
hardRim Rock Drive offers dizzying cliff’s edge views of Colorado National Monument
🇺🇸 Usa
Rim Rock Drive: Prepare for some serious Western scenery! This gem, nestled in Colorado National Monument in Mesa County, Colorado, serves up jaw-dropping, cliff-edge vistas. Built during the New Deal era (1931-1950) by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this road is an engineering marvel. Seriously, they carved much of it *by hand* straight through solid rock. Rim Rock Drive is the only paved road snaking through the park. At 25.9 miles long, it hugs the upper rim of dramatic canyons, connecting the east entrance near Grand Junction to the west entrance by Fruita. And get this: you'll even cruise through three tunnels! Heads up: the road’s usually open year-round, but always peek at the weather forecast. Rock slides are common during wet spells, and closures can happen due to rockfall or winter conditions. Plan for about an hour of drive time *each way*, and that's *without* stopping – which you'll definitely want to do! Think red rock canyons, scattered pines and junipers, golden eagles soaring overhead, and those bright blue Colorado skies. Rim Rock Drive isn't just a road; it's part of the park's soul. It gives you access to the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and campground, 19 signed viewpoints, and 14 hiking trails. Word to the wise: this road winds along the edge of Monument Canyon. Watch for wildlife, keep an eye out for fallen rocks, and respect the speed limits. The shoulders can be narrow, and you'll be sharing the road with cyclists. Some sections are steep and narrow with serious drop-offs, and on the east side, you might even encounter large trucks. Plus, there are some switchbacks with an elevation change of about 1,100 feet. Those tunnels? They're 16' tall in the center but only 11'5" near the edges, so larger vehicles might need to hug the center line. And, if you're afraid of heights, brace yourself!