Where is Bobcat Pass?
Usa, north-america
46.99 km
2,995 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Bobcat Pass in northern New Mexico! This beauty sits high in Carson National Forest, chilling at 9,826 feet above sea level. You'll find it straddling the line between Taos and Colfax counties.
Why "Bobcat," you ask? Apparently, these furry felines love hanging out here.
Now, the road itself is New Mexico State Road 38, and it's a smooth, paved 29.2-mile stretch from Questa to Eagle Nest. But don't think it's a boring drive!
Things get real with some seriously steep sections hitting a maximum gradient of 10%. If you're coming from Questa, it's about 18 miles uphill, gaining 3,599 feet in elevation. There is a tough 4-mile climb to the pass, but only the first two miles from Red River will really make you sweat! The good news? After conquering Bobcat Pass, you’re rewarded with a stunning 13-mile descent into the Moreno Valley on the way to Eagle Nest. It's a breeze all the way down!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 46.99 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,995 m
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in north-america
moderateGlacier Peak, an old mine road to the summit
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Glacier Peak! This Colorado climb tops out at a whopping 12,851 feet, straddling Summit and Jefferson counties. We're talking high, people - one of the loftiest drives in the state! Tucked away in the Front Range of the Rockies, right on the edge of Arapaho and Pike National Forests, this old mine road (aka Montezuma Road) is a wild ride. It's a 2.8-mile bumpy crawl to the top, and you'll gain 1,253 feet along the way. Think mud, rocks, and some serious off-road conditions. You'll definitely want an OHV or SUV with good clearance for this one! The average grade is about 8.5%, so be prepared for some steep sections. Summer is your window of opportunity here, as things can get dicey in the spring with a super soggy patch up north. The views? Totally worth it, with pines, aspen groves, alpine meadows, and wide-open panoramas galore. Just make sure your gear is ready for a beating – it's a long, rough trip to get to those summit views! Plus, there's another road heading east from the pass that takes you even higher!
hardOdart Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a real beast of a road? Head to Arizona's Fort Apache Reservation and find County Road 70. This gnarly track climbs to the top of Odart Mountain, hitting a lung-busting 8,531 feet. Word to the wise: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking gravel, rocks, and some serious "hold-on-tight" moments. You NEED a 4x4 for this one, and a healthy respect for heights! The climb is steep, but trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Oh, and pro tip: skip this one in the winter. Trust me. The reward? An epic lookout tower built way back in 1934. Soak it all in – you earned it!
hardWhere is Aztec Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Aztec Peak in Arizona's Gila County! This beauty tops out at 7,746 feet in the Tonto National Forest, the highest point in the Sierra Anchas. Heads up, the road to the top, Forest Service Road 487, is all unpaved, kicking off from the Arizona 288-Globe Young Highway. Keep in mind, this route usually shuts down from mid-December to the end of March due to snow, but it's all weather-dependent, so check conditions before you go! Now for the nitty-gritty: you'll need a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle for this one. Past the waterfall, FR 487 gets steep, narrow, and a tad nerve-wracking if you're not a fan of heights. The final stretch is a single-track forest road that's both steep and a bit rocky. If you're lucky and the gate's open, you can drive all the way to the summit! A word of caution: this area has naturally occurring uranium and radium-266. Translation: low-level radiation. Seriously, DO NOT go into any of the mines; some have radiation levels so high, they'd recommend evacuating the area! But here's the payoff: the views! Perched at the top is a fire lookout built in '56, and the 360-degree panorama is breathtaking. You'll see for over 100 miles in every direction. Tucked in the Salome Wilderness, it's a view you won't forget!
easyPrinceton Summerland Road is a drive with superb views in BC
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through British Columbia, Canada, you HAVE to check out the Princeton Summerland Road. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience, connecting Princeton in the Similkameen region to Summerland on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Locals call the Princeton end "the Five-Mile," so keep an ear out! Clocking in at around 93 km (almost 58 miles), this route is a sweet mix of smooth curves and incredible views. About 60 km is paved, but the rest is packed gravel, so be prepared for some potentially bumpy sections. It's a backroad adventure, but not too wild. You'll climb to about 1,120m (over 3,600ft) above sea level, so hold on tight on those steeper sections! Just a heads-up: the area can get mudslides and washouts, so keep an eye on the weather. Without stops, plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. This road traces the old Kettle Valley Railway, and the scenery is seriously stunning. Think wide-open spaces, crisp air, and views that will make your jaw drop. Trust me, this road is a photographer's dream come true!