Where is Portage Glacier Road?
Usa, north-america
18.65 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising south of Anchorage in Alaska, ready for one of the most epic scenic drives of your life! That's Portage Glacier Road, stretching almost 12 miles from the Seward Highway near the eerie ghost town of Portage to the vibrant town of Whittier.
This paved highway, finished in 2000, is an absolute engineering marvel! We're talking roads, bridges, and the unforgettable Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Speaking of the tunnel, it's a wild experience – cars and trains share the same space, passing under Maynard Mountain. It originally opened in 1943 as a railroad tunnel, and although it's usually open for cars, trains do get priority, so expect potential closures. You’ll be surrounded by unbelievable scenery the entire time. Get ready for a drive you won't forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 18.65 km
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in north-america
hardDriving the 4x4 Road to the Lookout at Greenstone Mountain in BC
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Greenstone Mountain in British Columbia is calling your name! This peak tops out at 1,798m (5,898ft) and offers incredible views from the historic Greenstone Fire Lookout near Kamloops. Heads up: the lookout's not abandoned! The Logan Lake ATV Club totally revamped it with a fresh roof, paint job, and *amazing* triple-pane windows. Seriously, the views are worth the drive alone. Plus, there's an outhouse and picnic table! The road up, Greenstone Road, is all unpaved goodness, about 21.5 km (13.35 miles) from the Trans-Canada Highway. Expect a steady climb, gaining 1,202m in elevation. Most of the road is pretty manageable, but the last 300 meters? Buckle up! It's steep, rocky, and might test your off-roading skills. You can drive up to the communication towers, then it's a quick hike to the real summit and the fire lookout. Keep in mind, you're in Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park, so this road is usually snowed in during winter and opens around the first week of June. Also, watch out for muddy patches if it's been raining!
moderateRequa Road, a steep coastal drive in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Requa Road, also known as Patrick J Murphy Memorial Road, is calling your name. Tucked away in Del Norte County, California, inside Redwood National and State Parks, this coastal drive is a total stunner. Sure, it's a tad bumpy, but trust me, the views are SO worth it! This paved, windy road clocks in at just under 2.5 miles, starting from good ol' U.S. 101. Word to the wise: skip this one after dark – no lights or markings here! But during the day? Get ready for one of the most scenic drives you've ever seen. Keep an eye out for fog, which can be pretty common in this area. The road can be a bit of a nail-biter, with some seriously steep and narrow sections and a distinct lack of guardrails. RVs and trailers? Probably not the best idea. But if you're up for the challenge, you'll be rewarded with the Klamath River Overlook, perched a dizzying 650 feet above it all. Get ready for a climb of around 615 feet from U.S. 101 with an average incline of almost 5%. It's a wild ride!
moderateWhere is Glacier Mountain in Colorado?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, let's talk Glacier Mountain in the heart of Colorado, tucked away in eastern Summit County! Reaching the top isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking serious off-road territory on Forest Service Road #275, also known as Saints Johns Road. Leave your all-wheel-drive at home; you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. ATVs? You're golden. This route is a short but intense climb. From Montezuma, it's a relatively short but steep adventure, gaining some serious elevation. Hold on tight because you'll be crawling over some pretty gnarly sections. Heads up: this road is typically snowed in until mid-June. Only attempt it in good weather. Why bother? Because reaching the summit, the views are insane! You'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Clear Creek County peaks. Plus, the area is steeped in Colorado's mining history, with old mining roads and claims scattered around. It's a window into the past with a view to die for!
moderateWhere is Hardscrabble Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You NEED to check out Hardscrabble Mountain in Colorado's Eagle County. Nestled south of Eagle in the White River National Forest, this beast tops out at a cool 10,698 feet! Forget the pavement – you're in for a 20.7-mile off-road rumble on Forest Road 413 (aka Hardscrabble Mountain Road). Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential! Some sections are seriously steep, with gradients hitting 10%. The views, though? Unreal. Think panoramic vistas of the Sawatch and Gore Mountain Ranges. Just be warned: this is a summer-only kind of trip. Winter? Nope. But trust me, those summer views are worth the wait!