
Where is Hawkins Peak?
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,953 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're north of Markleeville, California, smack-dab in the eastern part of the state, winding your way through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. You're on the hunt for Hawkins Peak, reaching a lofty 9,688 feet above sea level—one of the highest roads in California!
This peak? It's named after some dude named Hawkins, the first white settler around these parts back in the 1850s. He was a squatter on a cattle ranch to the east. Pretty cool, huh?
Heads up: the road to the summit is unpaved and rocky, so you’ll definitely want a 4x4 with some decent clearance for that final push. It's not super long, but it's a climb. We're talking a serious elevation gain, with an average gradient that hits a max of 17.8% in spots—hold on tight!
But the real payoff? The views from the top are epic. You can soak in the snowy Sierra Nevada range and the vast high desert of Nevada. Just keep in mind, this road is totally impassable in the winter.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,953 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the Canol Road
🇨🇦 Canada
Get ready for a wild ride on the Canol Road! This rugged track, carved out in the 1940s by an oil company, winds through the untamed landscapes of Canada's Northwest and Yukon Territories. Fair warning: this one's not for the faint of heart! Canol, short for Canadian Oil Road, is almost entirely unpaved, stretching a whopping 449 km (279 miles) from Johnsons Crossing up to the Canol Heritage Trail. Originally built to support a gas pipeline, it's now divided into three sections: South Canol, North Canol, and the Canol Heritage Trail. While the southern part sees a bit more action, any travel here is an adventure. It used to reach all the way to Norman Wells, NWT, but isn't maintained past the Yukon/NWT border anymore. The road climbs to a breathtaking 1,387m (4,550 feet) at Macmillan Pass. Keep in mind, it's usually closed from late October until late June or early July. The South Canol, at 220km (137 miles), runs from Johnsons Crossing on the Alaska Highway to the Robert Campbell Highway near Ross River. Expect a narrow, winding path with one-lane bridges, some seriously rough patches, and occasional closures due to washouts. Oh, and did we mention, zero services? A straight shot will take around 4 hours. The North Canol stretches 232km (144 miles) from the Robert Campbell Highway near Ross River to the Yukon/NWT border. Just north of Ross River, you'll quickly cross the Pelly River via ferry. This section is also narrow and winding, with potential washouts, no services, and those charming one-lane bridges. Beyond the border lies the abandoned section, about 372km (230 miles) of unusable road which follows the old Canol Road.
moderateWhere is Mount Tilton?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up adventurers, because we're heading to Mount Tilton in the heart of Colorado's White River National Forest, just south of Aspen! This beast of a peak tops out at a whopping 12,391 feet! The adventure begins on County Road 740, aka Cement Creek Road (FSR #740), and let me tell you, it's an unpaved rollercoaster! From the paved CO-135, you've got about 16.2 miles of rugged terrain to conquer before reaching the summit. Get ready for a serious workout – we're talking an elevation gain of 3,800 feet! The road is usually closed in winter, with access typically possible from mid-June to October, conditions depending. And hold on tight, because you'll be facing some steep climbs - expect grades hitting up to 22.6% in certain spots!
hardWhere is the South Willow Canyon Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! South Willow Canyon Road in Utah's Tooele County is calling your name. Nestled in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, this drive is a wildlife photographer's dream. Keep your eyes peeled! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. South Willow Canyon Road, or Forest Road 171, clocks in at about 7.1 miles of mixed terrain. Most of it's paved, but those last 4 miles turn to gravel, adding a little off-road flavor. Nothing too crazy, though – most cars should be able to handle it. Just watch out for some potholes if you're towing a trailer. Heads up – this road climbs! You'll start near the Mormon Trail and end up at 7,447 feet, right where the Deseret Peak Trail begins. There's a parking area and restrooms there. Expect snow from November to mid-June up there. It's a fairly steep climb, gaining 2,355 feet with an average gradient of 6.28%, and the road gets pretty narrow. But the views are SO worth it! This is a scenic drive through some interesting narrows you won't forget. Plus, there are five forest service campgrounds along the way if you want to make a weekend of it. Enjoy!
hardDriving the defiant USFS 503 Road
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! You HAVE to check out USFS 503 in Colorado's Mineral County. Seriously, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Nestled in the Rio Grande National Forest, this super short mountain road is a real gem. We're talking totally unpaved, raw adventure. Clocking in at just over half a mile, don't let the length fool you. This climb takes you up to a whopping 12,877 feet! Yeah, you heard right. Word to the wise: this road is NOT for your average sedan. You're gonna need a 4x4 with some serious clearance. It's steep – like a 12.6% average gradient steep, gaining 344 feet in elevation. Expect it to be snow-free only in the late summer months. But trust me, the views from the top? Totally worth it. Get ready for some killer mountain scenery!