
Travel guide to the top of Quartz Mountain
Usa, north-america
3.95 km
1,580 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let's talk about Quartz Mountain, a sweet spot in Washington's Spokane County, chilling at 5,183 feet. You'll find it nestled in Mount Spokane State Park, just northeast of Spokane, hanging out in the Selkirk Mountains.
Heads up: this road is all dirt! Leave the sedan at home. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. Private vehicles aren't allowed on the final stretch, so park it at the Selkirk Lodge and get ready to hike or bike.
Why bother? Well, the views from the fire lookout tower at the top are killer, with a full-on panoramic view of the Spokane Valley and into north Idaho.
Generally, you can hit this trail from mid-June to mid-October. From Mt Spokane Park Drive, it's a 2.45-mile climb to the top, gaining 660 feet. It's a steady climb, with an average grade of around 5%, so be prepared to work for that view!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.95 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,580 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhere is Baker Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Baker Lake Road (aka FS Road 11) up in Washington's Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest! This beauty winds along the western edge of the stunning Baker Lake, a sub-alpine gem teeming with wildlife like black bears, deer, and eagles – keep your eyes peeled! You'll find the turnoff from State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway), west of Concrete. From there, it's about 26 miles to the lake. The good news is that most of the way is paved (20 miles), but the last 6 miles are gravel, so be ready for a little bumpiness. Heads up, this road is usually a no-go during the heart of winter – those North Cascades winters are serious business! But when it's open, the views are absolutely worth it. Get ready for some serious Pacific Northwest scenery!
hardWhere is the Edison Butte OHV Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! The Edison Butte OHV Trail in Central Oregon's Deschutes National Forest is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a totally unpaved, 33-mile rollercoaster of a ride that will test your mettle. Think massive, jagged rocks that are just begging to puncture a tire. Seriously, beefy tires and high clearance are non-negotiable here. And did I mention the route-finding? It's like a giant, off-road puzzle with faint paths that'll have you questioning your GPS, even with a tracklog. The terrain? Oh, just your typical mix of loose rocks and wicked lava ridges. But trust me, the scenery is worth it! Just be prepared for some serious dust in the summer. This wild ride is only open from April 1st to November 30th. Winter slams the door shut with snow and ice. Be sure to check for seasonal closures before you head out!
hardSugarloaf Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're looking for a high-altitude adventure in Utah, you HAVE to check out Sugarloaf Mountain. This beast of a peak clocks in at 10,567 feet in Salt Lake County, making it one of Utah's highest drivable points. Nestled in the Wasatch Range, the road to the top is a real gravelly, rocky ride—basically a chairlift service trail. You'll need a super small window to hit this one, think late August. But fair warning: Mother Nature runs the show up here. The wind is almost ALWAYS howling, and even summer can bring surprise snow days. Winter? Forget about it – brutally cold doesn’t even begin to describe it. This isn't a Sunday drive, either. Expect some seriously steep sections—we're talking grades up to 30%! But the views? Oh man, they're worth it. From the summit, you'll be gawking at Albion Basin, the hidden gem that is Secret Lake, and the vast Alta ski resort spread out below.
extremeWhere is Glorieta Baldy?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, folks, let's talk Glorieta Baldy in New Mexico! This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a serious climb up to a peak way above sea level, nestled in the Santa Fe National Forest near Glorieta. So, what's the payoff for braving this beast? Epic views and a cool, albeit dilapidated, fire lookout tower at the summit. Built way back in 1940, this 30-foot steel tower definitely has some stories to tell, though it's seen better days since its decommissioning in the early 90s. Heads up: this road is no joke! Forest Service Road 375, is a rugged 7 miles of pure off-road bliss (or terror, depending on your perspective). You'll need serious 4x4 skills, and a high-clearance vehicle is a MUST. We're talking steep grades, endless switchbacks, and rocky terrain that'll test your mettle. The climb is real, with a significant elevation gain over those few miles, so get ready for some serious shifting. Expect it to be closed from early September until the snow melts in spring. Trust me, the views are worth the challenge, but come prepared!