Where is Guadalupe Pass?
Usa, north-america
262 km
1,659 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, road trip lovers, listen up! We're heading to Guadalupe Pass in West Texas, just outside Guadalupe Mountains National Park and practically in the shadow of Guadalupe Peak – aka "Top of Texas"!
This pass clocks in at a cool 5,442 feet above sea level, so expect some killer views. The road itself, U.S. Highway 62-180, is paved and generally in great shape. You can usually hit this route year-round without a problem, and it's wide enough to keep things comfy.
Get ready for a longer haul though, because you're looking at a 163-mile adventure from El Paso, Texas, all the way to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Expect some climbs as you gain altitude, with gradients hitting around 7% in some spots. So, buckle up and get ready for some seriously scenic driving!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 262 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,659 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Hunter Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers, because Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley National Park is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a 10.7-mile unpaved stretch of pure, unadulterated backcountry bliss (or maybe a bit of a challenge, depending on how you look at it). Located in eastern California, snuggled between the Sierra Nevada and Nevada, you'll find yourself climbing to a whopping 7,168 feet! You'll need a 4x4 for this one, trust me. Expect loose rock, washes, and a whole lotta washboard. But hey, the views! Once you escape the valley floor, the landscape transforms into something truly special. Now, a word of caution: This road is unmaintained and bumpy as heck. Keep an eye out for narrow sections, steep hills (both up and down), scary drop-offs, and sneaky soft sand. Oh, and those boulders lurking in the washes? Yeah, watch out for those too. Also, please be smart: Before you go, top off that gas tank and bring extra supplies! No services exist along this route. And stay out of old mine shafts! They can be unstable, full of bad air, and just generally not a good time. Remember to tell someone where you're going and grab a backcountry permit. Cell service can be spotty, so don't rely on your phone in an emergency. And watch where you step – rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widows love to hang out in shady spots. Finally, be extra aware of flash floods during storms. Oh, and a heads up – during winter, this road can become impassable due to snow or mud. Road conditions in Death Valley are always changing, so make sure to check before you go!
hardWhere is Allison Pass?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Allison Pass in British Columbia is calling your name! This beauty sits right in the heart of Manning Park, smack-dab in the Cascade Mountains. We're talking southern British Columbia, so get ready for some serious Canadian wilderness vibes. Fun fact: it's named after a rancher named John Fall Allison. The road itself? It's BC-3, also known as the Crowsnest Highway or the Hope-Princeton Highway. And guess what? It’s paved the whole way! The pass stretches for a solid 126 km (78 miles) between Hope, where the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers meet, and Princeton in the Similkameen region. But don't think it's a walk in the park! This road throws down a challenge with steep grades and altitudes topping out at 1,350m (4,429ft). Keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Short-term closures are common! And that climb from Hope? Get ready for some 7% grades leading up to the Hope Slide – you might even spot some trucks cooling off their engines. But trust me, the views are worth every bit of effort!
moderateHow do I get to Angora Lakes?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're trying to get to the stunning Angora Lakes, nestled high in the California mountains south of Lake Tahoe? Here's the lowdown on the road: You'll be cruising along Angora Ridge Road (NF-1214) to get there. The good news is it's mostly paved! But heads up, it gets pretty steep and narrow in sections, so be prepared to pull over and let others pass. The road stretches for about 5.5 miles from the start and climbs to a parking lot sitting at 7,221 feet. There's a small fee to park here. From the lot, it's just a quick one-mile uphill hike to the lakes themselves. Keep an eye on the seasons! Because it's way up in the Sierra Nevada, the road usually closes for winter from around October to May. You'll also pass the Angora Lookout along the way. And of course, expect incredible views the whole drive. These lakes are the source of the little Angora Creek, making the area picture-perfect.
extremeWhere is Grayback Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Grayback Mountain in Colorado's Rio Grande County is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a real trek to 3,853 m (12,641 ft) above sea level, where you'll find a radio tower perched on the very top. So, how do you get there? The road, also known as Greyback Mountain, is all dirt. Yep, a completely unpaved single-lane track with a couple of hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. It's not crazy difficult, as it's used for radio equipment maintenance, and you can usually see what's coming, with pullouts to let others pass. The climb starts from Summitville Road and it’s a steep 2.84 km (1.76 mi) to the top. You'll gain 214 meters in elevation, so buckle up for an average gradient of 7.53%. Now, about your ride: A high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet, but experienced off-roaders might be able to tackle it in a 2x4. Leave your low-riding cars at home, this isn't their terrain! Heads up: this area high in the San Juan Mountains is best explored in the summer. Snow typically blocks access until mid-July. The weather here can turn on a dime, so pack layers and rain gear. Morning is the magic hour before afternoon thunderstorms roll in. If you see lightning, hunker down in your car and head down the mountain ASAP. But the views? Oh man, the views. A full 360-degree panorama of the San Juan Mountains that's totally worth the effort. Get ready to be blown away!