When Was Tip Top Mine Discovered?
Usa, north-america
3.2 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Yavapai County, Arizona, lies the ghost town of Tip Top. Getting there? That's half the fun! You'll need a trusty 4x4—this isn't a Sunday drive kind of road.
Tip Top Trail, as it's known, is a completely unpaved path winding its way to what was once a bustling mining town (discovered in 1875!). Imagine roaming through a place that rivaled Arizona's biggest cities back in the day. Keep your eyes peeled for foundations and even the mine's original door. The ruins sprawl for almost two miles along a stunning canyon.
The views are classic Arizona: canyons, creeks, and ridges dressed in saguaro and mesquite. Just remember, you're in a remote area, so come prepared. Word on the street is that beyond Tip Top, the road to Crown King gets seriously gnarly. Most stock high-clearance 4WD SUVs can handle it, but be warned, it is a rough one! It's best attempted during cooler months, the journey to this amazing spot north of Phoenix will become one of your favorite.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.2 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is San Antonio Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! You HAVE to check out San Antonio Mountain in northern New Mexico. Nestled in the Carson National Forest, this bad boy tops out at 10,941 feet! The road to the summit? Forget pavement – it's all about that sweet, sweet dirt (Forest Road 418 to be exact). Seriously, you're gonna need a 4x4 for this one. It's a climb, with some seriously steep parts and ten – count 'em, TEN – hairpin turns to keep you on your toes. Clocking in at just over 4 miles from US Highway 285, you'll gain a whopping 2,500 feet in elevation! That's an average gradient of 11.5%, so get ready to work for those views. Speaking of views, you're in the San Juan Mountains, part of the Rockies, so expect stunning scenery. Just a heads up, though: winter up here is no joke. This road is usually impassable, so plan your trip for the warmer months. And be sure to check out the comms facilities at the very top!
easyDriving through the Mexican Federal Road 307
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride through the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico! We're talking about Carretera Federal 307, a 467km (290-mile) stretch of pure driving bliss. Picture this: you're cruising through the southern part of Mexico, right in the heart of Montes Azules National Park. This fully paved road connects Palenque and La Trinitaria, and trust me, you'll want to take your time soaking it all in. The north side is cool, especially near the Bonampak and Yachilán Mayan ruins. But the real magic happens down south, close to Lagunas de Montebello National Park. Think lush tropical forests, vibrant green trees, palms swaying in the breeze… everywhere you look, it's a jungle paradise! The southern section is where things get truly interesting. It's a crazy mix of tropical rainforest and temperate forest, complete with pine trees and those unreal turquoise lakes you've seen in photos. Oh, and did I mention the canyons, tunnels, and mountain cliffs? This road is a feast for the eyes at every turn!
moderateBrown Mountain: a steep unpaved road to the top
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Texas road trip fans, listen up! Brown Mountain: ever heard of it? It's a seriously high point in Jeff Davis County, clocking in at almost 7,000 feet! Think panoramic views. Getting there? That's part of the adventure. This ain't no Sunday drive on smooth asphalt. The road to the top is all dirt, so a 4x4 is a must. Trust me, you'll want the extra grip. The climb starts from TX-166, and it's about 2.6 miles to the top. Don't let the short distance fool you – you're gaining over 1,100 feet in elevation, so it's a steady climb averaging around an 8% grade. Not crazy steep, but enough to make you appreciate that low gear! Once you're at the summit, you'll find a communication antenna, and views that stretch forever. Just you, the big Texas sky, and a serious sense of accomplishment.
extremeThe closed road to Devil’s Slide Trestles in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Colorado's Boulder County lies the legendary Devil's Slide Trestles – a seriously sketchy, narrow-gauge railway relic from the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad days. We're talking about a nail-biting crossing of the Continental Divide via Rollins Pass. Imagine two rickety trestles clinging to the edge of a cliff, with a dizzying 960-foot vertical drop beneath you! These trestles were built right on the edge of South Boulder Canyon way back in 1904. They look like they're barely hanging on over thin air. Perched high in the Rockies, you can still see much of the original route. Be warned though: some of the trestles have seen better days and have partially collapsed. There are NO guardrails, and the drop-offs are seriously steep. Oh, and did I mention you can see straight through the gaps between some of the boards? Originally built for trains linking Denver to Winter Park and Salt Lake City, the route was later used by cars. From 1955 to 1979, Rollins Pass was a scenic route until a rockfall blocked the way. It briefly reopened in 1988, only to be permanently closed again in 1990. It's a truly stunning location, with the kind of scenery that makes you feel like you're on top of the world. Just be prepared for some serious exposure!