Colorado
ModerateShelf Road — Cañon City to Goldfield via the Arkansas River Gorge Rim
One lane, no guardrail, straight down to the river.
Trail Type: Scenic Drive
Alaska
ModerateGold Creek Road to Hatcher Pass Summit — Talkeetna Mountains Alaska Subalpine Spine
Alaska high country above the treeline.
Colorado
ModerateLonesome Highway — Ouray County Road 10 to Owl Creek Pass via Cimarron River Canyon
The San Juan pass the crowds forgot exists.
California
ModerateSawmill Road to Mount Pinos Summit — Los Padres National Forest Transverse Range High Approach
SoCal's secret high country above 8,800 feet.
Colorado
EasyRimrock Drive — Colorado National Monument’s Canyon Rim Road via Cold Shivers Point
Canyon rim above the Grand Valley — sheer drops included.
USA
ModerateCoyote Gulch to Hurricane Ridge — Olympic Peninsula High Country Circuit via Obstruction Point Road
Olympic's roughest road ends at the sky.
Arizona
ModeratePinery Canyon Road — Chiricahua Mountains Sky Island Crest via Onion Saddle
Sky Island spine. Jaguar country. Zero crowds.
Oregon
ModerateLonesome Highway — Siskiyou Crest Road to Ashland via Mount Ashland Spine
Two states, one crest, zero crowds.
South Dakota
ModerateCuster Peak Road — Black Hills High Country Drive to Fire Lookout via Deadwood Backcountry
Northern Black Hills summit with 360-degree payoff.
Arizona
EasySitgreaves Pass Road — Oatman to Kingman via Black Mountains Historic Route 66 Spine
Route 66's meanest mountain crossing.