Back in 2017, we wrote a few stories called Recommended Routes. These showcased some amazing overland adventures we’d taken and how you can also do them. We’ve written four stories in the Recommended Routes series. Here they are with links to each story.
The Loneliest Highway in America
This expansive landscape, paired with cinematic cloud lines, creates epic road-tripping eye candy: This is the Loneliest Highway in America. Add to it the desolation, and you’ve got a truly unique place. I should also note—it was very windy both times we drove through. Clouds hang low, cowboys on horseback wrangle cattle in an Old West feel. There’s a lot to see in this remote stretch of Nevada, and while mostly on pavement, you could easily turn this into an overland adventure by venturing off to other sites.
Hurricane Ridge Road
Steep grades and winding roads yield spectacular views in this northern Washington locale. If you love serene mountains, abundant wildlife, colorful backdrops, no matter where you look, along with the quiet majesty of tall timbers, Hurricane Ridge Road in the Olympic National Park is worth the trip.
California, Hurricane, and Corkscrew Passes, Colorado
Mountain peaks of 13,000+ ft. envelop you as you drive up and around the mountains to enter California Gulch (on the way to California Pass). This open valley seduces you with its beauty. As you drive on the hard-packed 4×4 trail, a true bowl of Colorado’s nature awaits. The San Juan Mountains’ California, Hurricane, and Corkscrew Passes in Colorado are one of the most epic places we’ve experienced on earth. We recently returned here on our TransAmerica Trail overland adventure.
Racetrack Valley, Lippincott Pass, Saline Valley Roads
Back in December of 2017 and January of 2018, we spent time traversing Death Valley. At this time of year, the park isn’t hot, and it’s incredible. Some of our favorite routes included Racetrak Valley, Lippencott Pass, and Salie Valley Roads. With proper route and trip planning (smart packing, contacting local ranger stations, mapping out gas stations, talking to locals you encounter, etc.), you can have a safe and fulfilling trip here. We did, and can’t wait to go back.
Should We Restart ‘Recommended Routes’?
The Recommended Routes series was fun to put together. Do you think we should restart this as a regular feature? Let us know if you’d like to see them return in the comments.
Andy Lilienthal is an award-winning writer and has written professionally since 1999. He has over 13 years in the automotive aftermarket working at companies including Warn Industries, Bushwacker, and Lund International. Editorial works include writing and photography for off-road print magazines, to new-car reviews online. He’s a photographer with images in multiple magazines, blog sites, and the New York Times.
Leave a Reply