
Where is Homestake Pass?
Usa, north-america
4,861 km
1,954 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you're cruising through Montana and looking for an epic drive? Check out Homestake Pass! This baby sits way up high at 6,410 feet, right on the Jefferson/Silver Bow County line, smack-dab in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
The road itself? Paved, smooth sailing as you climb Interstate 90. Yep, this pass is actually the highest point on that massive highway! Montana really knew what they were doing using it to cross the Continental Divide.
From Butte to Whitehall, this stretch of I-90 winds for about 24.8 miles. And while it's generally open year-round, keep an eye on the weather during winter. Snow can definitely shut things down for a bit. So, buckle up and get ready for some incredible Rocky Mountain scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 4,861 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,954 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardSmith Dorrien Trail is a dusty scenic drive of Canada
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, on the legendary Smith Dorrien Trail! Highway 742, as it's also known, stretches for about 70 km (43 miles) from just south of Canmore all the way to the Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40). This isn't your average highway drive, though. It's a gravel road, so expect a bit of dust and washboards – part of the adventure, right? You don't need a fancy SUV or anything, it's generally pretty easy driving. Perched high in the Canadian Rockies, you'll climb to the Smith-Dorrien Pass, soaring to about 1,909 meters (6,263 feet) above sea level. Even in summer, be ready for some serious snow! Set aside about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. The route carves through the stunning Smith-Dorrien Valley. Seriously, the views are worth every second. Keep your eyes peeled for moose – they love hanging out here! The biggest thing to keep in mind? Dust! Since it's a gravel road, give other vehicles plenty of space so you don't end up with a cracked windshield. Watch for wildlife too. Some sections can be rough, and there's a narrow, steep, winding grade near Canmore. That 80 kph section can get pretty dicey in summer because of the dust. Also, heads up: there’s no cell service out there, so be prepared!
hardWhy is it called Mount Princeton?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Mount Princeton Road, deep in the heart of Colorado's San Isabel National Forest. This isn't just any drive; it's a 6.2-mile climb from County Road 321 to a whopping 12,137 feet above sea level! We're talking serious elevation gain here – 3,520 feet to be exact, with some sections hitting a 14% grade. The road, also known as Forest Service Road 322A, is mostly unpaved and pretty narrow. Good news is, the lower sections are smooth sailing for most cars. But that last half-mile? That's where things get real. You'll want a 4x4 with some decent clearance to tackle it. Otherwise, park down by the Young Life Camp and hike the rest. Keep in mind, this road is usually snowed in from November to June (sometimes even July!). So, aim for a mid-summer adventure. Trust me, it's worth it! The top has plenty of parking and killer views. You'll find yourself at an old weather station and a cute little cabin called Bristlecone Park Chalet. Seriously, the scenery alone is worth the trip.
hardWhere is Monarch Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,448m (11,312ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The grade is intense for ascent and descent, so use lower gears. Where is Monarch Pass? The pass is located on the boundary between Gunnison and Chaffee counties, in the south-central part of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains. How long is the road to Monarch Pass? The road to the summit is entirely paved. It’s called U.S. Highway 50. It can be traversed by all vehicles under most conditions; however, 7% grades exist. The pass road is 95.43km (59.3 miles) long, running west-east from the City of Gunnison (in Gunnison County) to Poncha Springs (in Chaffee County). When was the road to Monarch Pass built? The road through the summit was finished in the late 1930s. A minor gravel road at the summit climbs up to , at 3,634m (11,922ft) above sea level. Access is right off the pass, where there is a large parking lot. Is Monarch Pass safe to drive? The road is not easy, with turns, steep parts, no shoulders, and fatal drop-offs. If you are not accustomed to mountain driving or curves, altitude, or drop-offs make you nervous, plan to travel early in the day before traffic builds up. Normal passenger vehicles should not have an issue. Be bear aware. How steep is Monarch Pass in Colorado? The drive is pretty steep. Starting from Maysville, the ascent is 16.8km (10.43 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 915 meters. The average percentage is 5.4%. Ramps for runaway trucks are located about halfway down both the eastern and western sides of the pass. How long does it take to drive over Monarch Pass? Plan 1 hour to complete the drive without any stop. A gift shop and small restaurant are located near the summit of the pass. Make sure you leave enough time to make plenty of stops along the way. Where was Fast and Furious 7 filmed? The pass is considered one of the most scenic in Colorado, offering panoramic views of the Sawatch Range. The pass was used as a filmed location for the Fast and Furious 7 movie. Is Monarch Pass CO open? The pass is generally open year-round; however, the area is prone to heavy winter snowfall, often resulting in temporary closures during severe winter storms. In winter, do take care. The weather station recorded a wind gust from the west of 148 mph, the highest official gust recorded to date in the state of Colorado. Thunderstorms are common. Those who frequently traverse the pass probably don’t even notice the sign for Old Monarch Pass Road Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado: Beware of the wolf Cinnamon Pass is a 4x4 road in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhere is La Salle Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let's talk La Salle Pass in Park County, Colorado. This beauty tops out at 9,753 feet above sea level and is named after some old-time miner. The road stretches for about 6.1 miles, winding from Forest Road 44.2A to County Road 31. Expect an unpaved surface with a few muddy sections and some mild rocky spots—high clearance is definitely your friend here. You’ll cruise near the Spinney Mountain Reservoir. Get ready for some killer views!