Colorado
ModerateShelf Road — Cañon City to Goldfield via the Arkansas River Gorge Rim
One lane, no guardrail, straight down to the river.
Surface: Gravel
Colorado
ModerateLonesome Highway — Wet Mountains Crest to San Isabel via Ophir Creek and Greenwood Road
Colorado's quiet ridge run with Sangre views.
Colorado
ModerateWagonwheel Gap to Bristol Head — South Fork Rio Grande High Basin via Creede Backcountry
Bristol Head and silver ruins above the Rio Grande.
USA
ModerateLonesome Highway — Laramie Mountains Divide to Glendo via Friend Park Road and Esterbrook
Wyoming granite and pines with zero traffic.
Alaska
ModerateGold Creek Road to Hatcher Pass Summit — Talkeetna Mountains Alaska Subalpine Spine
Alaska high country above the treeline.
Texas
ModerateLonesome Highway — Palo Duro Canyon South Rim to Silverton via the Caprock Escarpment Back Road
Texas Panhandle breaks — nobody else out here.
USA
ModerateCoyote Gulch to Hackberry Canyon — Grand Staircase Cottonwood Circuit via Skutumpah Road
Clay, canyons, and zero margin for rain.
Colorado
ModerateSunwapta Falls Road to Poboktan Pass — Jasper Backcountry South via Brazeau River Divide
Lava caps and elk country above the Yampa.
California
ModerateBunny Flat to Deadfall Lakes — Trinity Alps High Road via Scott Mountain Summit
Granite, cold lakes, zero crowds — Trinity Alps.
Colorado
ModerateLonesome Highway — Ouray County Road 10 to Owl Creek Pass via Cimarron River Canyon
The San Juan pass the crowds forgot exists.