Where is Terrible Mountain?

Where is Terrible Mountain?

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

3,662 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Today we're talking about Terrible Mountain Road in Colorado's Gunnison National Forest. Forget paved paradise, this is a seriously rugged dirt track snaking its way up to a whopping 12,014 feet!

Terrible Mountain Road is not for the faint of heart. We're talking narrow paths, sheer drop-offs, and a surface that’ll test your suspension (and your nerves). Seriously, think twice before bringing anything less than a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.

But if you’re brave enough to tackle it, you'll be rewarded with some killer views of the Sawatch Range. Just be sure to plan your trip between late July and early September. Anything earlier or later, and you'll likely find yourself snowed in. Trust me, this road lives up to its name, but the payoff is epic!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
3,662 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Green Mountain?hard

Where is Green Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you're hunting for off-the-beaten-path thrills in New Mexico, Green Mountain is calling your name. Tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this peak boasts some serious views from its tippy-top. Fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking about an old logging road that's seen better days. Think crazy-tight switchbacks where you might have to play chicken with oncoming traffic, and a surface that’s…rustic, let's say. You absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle to even think about tackling this beast. The adventure clocks in around 7 miles from the pavement, packing in a lung-busting 2,700 feet of elevation gain. That's an average grade of 7.5%, but be prepared for some pitches that hit a whopping 15%! The road's usually snowed in until late spring/early summer, and even in the warmer months, loose rocks abound. But hey, the bragging rights (and those summit views!)? Totally worth it. Just keep an eye on the weather.

Carlsbad Cavern Highway: A Comprehensive Travel Guideeasy

Carlsbad Cavern Highway: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for a stunning drive on New Mexico State Route 7, aka the Carlsbad Cavern Highway! You'll find this gem in Eddy County, southeastern New Mexico, winding right into the Guadalupe Mountains. This baby's paved the whole way, a smooth 7 miles (that's about 11 km) from Whites City right to the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Get ready to be amazed, because this place is a mind-blowing labyrinth of over 300 limestone caves – sculpted over, get this, 250 MILLION years! Seriously, the scenery is unreal. You're cruising through the Chihuahuan Desert landscape, and the road is generally open year-round. Just keep an eye out for the occasional (and rare) New Mexico blizzard! Get your camera ready!

Mexico-Tuxpan Highway is a Marvel of Engineeringmoderate

Mexico-Tuxpan Highway is a Marvel of Engineering

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, buckle up for a ride on the Autopista Mexico-Tuxpan (Mexico 132D)! This road is seriously an engineering marvel. It took over 30 years to build, with all sorts of drama – corruption, funding issues, you name it! But hey, it’s finally here and connects Mexico City to Tuxpan, its closest port on the Gulf. Think smooth pavement, 12 tunnels, and a whopping 60 bridges. One of those bridges, the San Marcos Bridge, is crazy high, offering insane views of the Sierra Madre Mountains. You'll be driving through some seriously diverse landscapes. One minute you're in a tropical rainforest, the next you're surrounded by pine forests, and then you hit semi-desert valleys near Mexico City. Oh, and bonus: this road takes you right by Teotihuacán, so you can easily hop off and explore those incredible pyramids. It's a popular route for tourists heading to and from Mexico City. Get ready for a road trip you won't forget!

What are the technical challenges of the Cherokee Orchard Road ascent?hard

What are the technical challenges of the Cherokee Orchard Road ascent?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you wanna hit up the Smokies, huh? Well, Cherokee Orchard Road is your on-ramp to adventure! This little stretch of asphalt is the lifeline between Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and let me tell you, it's more than just a road – it's a climb! Expect a serious workout for your vehicle as you leave Gatlinburg behind. We're talking a steady uphill battle, steep grades that'll test your engine's cooling system, and enough vertical gain to make your ears pop. Now, keep your eyes peeled! This road is popular, and you'll be sharing it with plenty of hikers heading to the trails. The lanes can get narrow, especially near the Rainbow Falls trailhead, so be ready to share the road. Watch out for wildlife, too; bears and elk are known to stroll along the shoulders! Make sure to give your car a breather at the Noah "Bud" Ogle Cabin area. This spot is the perfect chance to check your fluids, make sure everything's running cool, and decide whether your rig is suitable for the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail loop. Oh, and one more thing: shade from the dense forest means the road can be damp, especially on those banked turns. Engine braking is your friend to avoid brake fade. Cherokee Orchard Road isn't just a road; it's a taste of the Smoky Mountains. Gear up, stay alert, and enjoy the ride!