Where is Forest Road 640?
Usa, north-america
36.37 km
2,500 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for Forest Road 640 in central Utah! This beauty stretches for about 22.6 miles through Capitol Reef National Park and Fishlake National Forest. But here's the kicker: you'll be cruising *high*, I mean *really* high, entirely above 8,200 feet! At its peak near Niotche-Lost CR Divide, you'll hit a whopping 10,505 feet above sea level, making it one of Utah's highest roads.
Expect some serious climbs, with gradients maxing out around 15%. Keep an eye out for Johnson Valley Reservoir along the way! The good news? It's usually open in winter, so you can potentially experience this wonderland dusted with snow. Get ready for breathtaking views, but be prepared for some white-knuckle moments!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 36.37 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,500 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Washington Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Washington Pass, sitting pretty at 5,477 feet in the heart of Washington State! You'll find this gem straddling Chelan and Okanogan counties, practically waving hello to Canada. The road? Oh, it's smooth sailing on fully paved State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway. This is the northernmost route that'll get you across those epic Cascade Mountains in Washington. Get ready for a 65-mile adventure, from Diablo to Winthrop, with views that just won't quit. And don't miss the short side trip up NF-500 to the Washington Pass Observation Site at the very top—seriously, the panoramic views are unreal! Now, heads up: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Being nestled high in the North Cascades, this road has a wild side, with a high risk of avalanches. Usually, the highway shuts down around late November/early December and doesn't reopen until sometime between April and early May. The closed section typically stretches between the Ross Dam Trailhead (MP 134) and Silver Star Creek (MP 171). Plan accordingly!
hardWhere is Mount Disappointment?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: Mount Disappointment, sitting pretty at almost 6,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains, just an hour outside of Los Angeles. Fun fact: back in the day, some surveyors thought it was the tallest peak around, but turns out, San Gabriel Peak was higher. Hence, the name! The road up, Mount Disappointment Road, is paved, but not exactly smooth sailing. Think hairpin turns galore! It's about 3 miles from Mt. Wilson Red Box Road to the top, and it's a climb, gaining over 1200 feet with a pretty noticeable incline. Unfortunately, the road is blocked by a gate and closed to private vehicles. So, what's at the top? Well, back in the 50s, they lopped off the summit to build a missile site. Now it's got telecommunication towers all over it. But here's the kicker: the views! Seriously, you get a full 360-degree panorama, from the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles all the way out to the Pacific. Plus, you can check out the old missile pad and some cool rock formations. Nestled in the Angeles National Forest, this drive is surrounded by pine trees and killer scenery. Definitely a unique spot with a wild history!
extremeHow to reach the Sheep Ridge summit track?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, folks, buckle up for Sheep Ridge in Park County, Colorado! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a short but seriously sweet off-road trail that punches way above its weight class. You'll find the trailhead south of Denver, smack-dab in the heart of Pike National Forest. From there, it's a climb up a completely unpaved forest service road for just under a mile towards the summit. Named after the nearby Sheep Creek, this track will test your mettle. Now, is it stock SUV friendly? Eh, maybe. Think rugged gravel, loose rocks, ruts galore, and some seriously steep climbs. If your ride's got some decent clearance and tires, you stand a chance. Otherwise, you might be wishing you had a bit more oomph. Timing is everything up here at 11,213 feet. This road is typically closed from late fall 'til early summer when the snow melts. Even in summer, watch out for those afternoon thunderstorms that can turn the gravel into a slick, muddy mess. Keep an eye on those Pike National Forest service updates before you go. So, why bother? Well, Sheep Ridge is a killer add-on if you're already exploring the area. You get a quick, technical climb to an awesome viewpoint without the crowds you find elsewhere in Colorado. It's a perfect quick mountain fix for local 4x4 enthusiasts who want some adrenaline and solitude.
moderateJones Pass in Colorado may be intimidating to novice drivers
🇺🇸 Usa
Jones Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.804m (12,480ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit has a relatively good road surface given its high altitude. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado. The pass is located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Grand counties, in the central part of Colorado, to the west of Denver. Tucked away in the beautiful Arapaho National Forest, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Jones Pass Road (Forest Road 202). It’s essentially a dirt road with some steep grades along the way. The road is narrow and steep and may be intimidating to novice drivers. The road travels above the tree line for several miles until it dead-ends after crossing the Continental Divide. It can be traversed by most vehicles in good conditions, but medium to high clearance is necessary in passing some of the route’s tougher sections. Although the route is not overly difficult, the winding turns and steep grades may be intimidating for inexperienced drivers. The switchbacks on the way up are easy and wide in most places. They are near the edge in many places, though, so it may challenge those with a fear of heights. The road is kept well maintained, though. Set high in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this road is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July. Vehicle access to the summit is typically limited to the late summer season. Starting just west of Berthoud Falls off Hwy 40, the road to the summit is 8.69km (5.4 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 795 meters. The average gradient is 9.14%. It climbs gradually to the top of the pass and descends steeply down the west side to a closed road. Plan about one hour to reach the summit from Highway 40, without any stops. However, the drive is pretty scenic and encompasses miles of stunning views. Along the road, drivers will catch many glimpses of Colorado’s mining history among the wildflowers and alpine views. There is room for parking at the summit of the pass. Pic: Nate Jensen Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.