What are some of your favorites you've driven on? Million Dollar Highway one of my favorites. Trying to think of where other good ones are.
Whiteface Memorial Hwy (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.3672981,-73.9054794,3a,90y,42.37h,84.41t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipObXv4sYTCYQs-S7_iutbvKINSWJqy-EhQANEkm!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipObXv4sYTCYQs-S7_iutbvKINSWJqy-EhQANEkm%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya190.40366-ro0-fo100!7i7744!8i3872!5m1!1e1), Wilmington, NY (note the road snaking down the mountain)
Skyline Drive, Manchester, VT (no Street View, sadly)
Going to the Sun Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/@48.75483,-113.8004789,3a,90y,218.91h,92.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sr-0oCEbouel0DhmAa7LTlg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1), Glacier NP, MT (haven't been on this one, but hope to someday)
Blackrock Road and Kaiser Pass Road in Sierra National Forest come to mind for immediately.
Those in Pacific Southwest know this is my thing, I'll have a lot more examples when I get opportunity to post.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.709055,-73.0632359,3a,75y,329.61h,91.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sbiy4ociwlKpVs-XeZcFKjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
MA 2 in North Adams
Blue Ridge Parkway
And one in Michigan: https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4660486,-87.9063067,3a,75y,96.85h,78.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stq7EMwdxGD9AZWCviHhyrQ!2e0!7i3328!8i1664
The Road to Hana on Maui.
Most definitely the Mt Lemmon Highway in Arizona:
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3753164,-110.7060792,3a,75y,184.68h,89.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXNs5IqVksQt5Wx_pGq-OmA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
CA 180 east of Grant Grove to Cedar Grove. The Generals Highway from the Foothills Visitor Center to the Giant Forest. All of Mineral King Road. Hume Lake Road from Hume Lake to CA 180. CA 190 on the Tule River watershed. Balch Park Road/County J37 when it becomes a single lane. All of CA 155 east of Glennville. Nine Mile Canyon Road/County J41. Horseshoe Meadows Road/Old CA 190 and Onion Valley Road/Old CA 180.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7324/27039334115_949f3477df_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HcnDZM)
Shafer Canyon Road, Canyonlands NP, Utah (https://flic.kr/p/HcnDZM)
Does the Moki Dugway count? (Picture I took in September 2015.)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2Fed5708ae8b0aec611c8a11b1d7739b62_zpsvnk7jmt1.jpg&hash=209ec9d298dc02dbcd8173ff31a4eced1101277c)
^ I was just going to bring up the Moki Dugway! I had designs on driving it since I was 17, and finally got to do it at 22 (then again at 27).
Other memorable cliffside roads include:
Sections of UT-12 east of Escalante https://goo.gl/maps/wXYMMLCCBqRCDJLRA
Sections of CA-120 west of Yosemite https://goo.gl/maps/wJrMVFci32g5NJVE8
Stevens Canyon Road in Mt. Rainier NP: https://goo.gl/maps/UYK4qoapaQnfGpaf9
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2021, 12:57:41 PM
^ I was just going to bring up the Moki Dugway! I had designs on driving it since I was 17, and finally got to do it at 22 (then again at 27).
Other memorable cliffside roads include:
Sections of UT-12 east of Escalante https://goo.gl/maps/wXYMMLCCBqRCDJLRA
Sections of CA-120 west of Yosemite https://goo.gl/maps/wJrMVFci32g5NJVE8
Stevens Canyon Road in Mt. Rainier NP: https://goo.gl/maps/UYK4qoapaQnfGpaf9
Hell's Backbone in Utah one ups UT 12 if you have the means to travel it.
Old Priest Grade is way more hellacious than New Priest Grade (modern CA 120) west of Yosemite. Most people think of Lee Vining Canyon and the cliffs descending Tioga Pass when CA 120 comes up.
Another for Washington that is NPS related is Hurricane Ridge Road in Olympic National Park.
This is a great list. It's not as dramatic, but I think I-81 between I-78 and I-80, which literally follows the top of a Pennsylvania ridge, is pretty neat.
Skyline Parkway, Duluth: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.7742291,-92.1246332,3a,75y,89.59h,90.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slORp6TzfoXmYSHlwE86AmA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Some Arizona:
AZ 89/Old US 89 over Yarnell Hill north to Prescott.
AZ 89A/Old US 89A has cliff side segments in the Black Mountains/Jerome and Oak Creek Canyon.
US 60/AZ 77 in Salt River Canyon.
The dirt part of AZ 88 east to Tortilla Flat.
US 191 south of Alpine to Moreci on the Coronando Trail.
AZ 64 east of the Grand Canyon.
AZ 260 climbing from Christoper Creek to Heber/Overgard.
Oatman Highway/Old US 66.
US 89A approaching the Navajo Bridge and Vermillion Cliffs.
Catalina Highway above Tucson.
I always thought that CA-89 on top of the ridgeline between Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake was rather fun and interesting to drive on:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9487513,-120.0923365,3a,75y,58.17h,88.44t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1su2nML1ac6l7T_N5IJpDkSQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Du2nML1ac6l7T_N5IJpDkSQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D58.406384%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
It's a long way down either way with no shoulders or guardrails...
Quote from: jdbx on May 10, 2021, 03:17:23 PM
I always thought that CA-89 on top of the ridgeline between Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake was rather fun and interesting to drive on:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9487513,-120.0923365,3a,75y,58.17h,88.44t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1su2nML1ac6l7T_N5IJpDkSQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Du2nML1ac6l7T_N5IJpDkSQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D58.406384%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
It's a long way down either way with no shoulders or guardrails...
I use it as my cover photo on Gribblenation's Golden State Highways page:
https://flic.kr/p/W9pPED
Related to CA 89 there is a couple other noteworthy ledge segments:
- Implied CA 89 on Lassen Park Highway mostly follows the south flank of Lassen Peak from the cliff-face.
- CA 89 descending Monitor Pass is mostly upon a ledge.
US 6/202 east of the Bear Mountain Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/LHREuhPk73KaBMEM9)
The appropriately named Ledge Rd in Plainville, CT (https://goo.gl/maps/xVjhQ8yB5GyENj1WA)
California State Route 1:
- CA 23 in Malibu towards Point Magu.
- Near San Simeon north through Big Sur to Point Lobos State Reserve.
- North of Half Moon Bay to the Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devil's Slide.
- North or US 101 through the Marin Headlands to Stinson Beach.
- Jenner north to Fort Ross State Historic Park.
- Westport north to Leggett.
Quote from: GaryV on May 10, 2021, 12:01:24 PM
Blue Ridge Parkway
Skyline Drive
(although perhaps more "ridge" than "ledge", except for the pull-offs)
Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon.
Would something like this count?
(https://i.imgur.com/IZhuYQM.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6979684,-73.9974687,3a,30.4y,42.72h,96.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgZOsmsqg4bAycqPLVEuMmw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1)
(I-278 and other roads in New York City)
The Old Ridge Route (Old US 99) and much of CA 18 (Rim of the World Highway).
There's some quite busy ones in So Cal.
CA 74 west of Lake Elsinore (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.6646391,-117.3749436,2501a,35y,180h,38.64t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
CA 74 again south of Palm Desert (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.642854,-116.3871068,1536a,35y,270h,38.85t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en) (best known for the opening scene of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World)
San Diego County Road S22 west of Borrega Springs (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.2234534,-116.388471,2598a,35y,270h,38.67t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
CA 243 entering Idyllwild (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7310393,-116.7386827,1647a,35y,90h,38.78t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I've driven all these. Most of the bigger climbs into the mountains - Idyllwild, Big Bear, and the San Gabriel Mountains - have a few scary cliffs on one side of the road at some point. And that doesn't even count driving to Big Sur on CA 1.
Quote from: skluth on May 10, 2021, 06:28:35 PM
There's some quite busy ones in So Cal.
CA 74 west of Lake Elsinore (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.6646391,-117.3749436,2501a,35y,180h,38.64t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
CA 74 again south of Palm Desert (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.642854,-116.3871068,1536a,35y,270h,38.85t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en) (best known for the opening scene of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World)
San Diego County Road S22 west of Borrega Springs (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.2234534,-116.388471,2598a,35y,270h,38.67t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
[urlhttps://www.google.com/maps/@33.7310393,-116.7386827,1647a,35y,90h,38.78t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en]CA 243 entering Idyllwild[/url]
I've driven all these. Most of the bigger climbs into the mountains - Idyllwild, Big Bear, and the San Gabriel Mountains - have a few scary cliffs on one side of the road at some point. And that doesn't even count driving to Big Sur on CA 1.
Some others off the top of my head in the SoCal Area:
- Dirt CA 173 (which isn't open to traffic but nonetheless is on a ledge).
- CA 39 south of CA 2/Islip Saddle
- Angeles Forest Highway
- CA 2 Angeles Crest
- CA 23 in Decker Canyon and Grimes Canyon
- CA 33 Maricopa Highway
- Hudson Ranch Road
- Caliente-Bodfish Road
- Woodland-Tehachapi Road (Old US 466)
- CA 154 east of San Marcos Pass and nearby Old CA 150 on Stagecoach Road
- Cat Canyon Road
- Mulholland Highway (mostly the dirt segment)
- CA 58 west from Maricopa towards Soda Lake
- CA 178 Kern Canyon
More stuff from California:
- Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in Big Sur
- Santa Rosa Creek Road (old CA 41/46) descending "The Wall."
- Old Creek Road south of CA 46
- Sierra National Forest Route 81/Minarets Road
- Italian Bar Road
- Million Dollar Road
- CA 49 Merced River Canyon
- Wawona Road Yosemite National Park
- Big Oak Flat Road south of Tioga Road
- Hetch Hetchy Road
- CA 193 Georgetown Divide
- Mosquito Road approaching the Mosquito Bridge
- CA 35/Skyline Drive
- CA 130/Mount Hamilton Highway
- CA 175 east of Old Hopland to CA 29
- Much or CA 70 on the Feather River Highway
- Coastal Drive (Old US 101) Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Conzelman Road Marin Headlands
- Panoramic Highway
- Muir Woods Road
- Tunnel Road in Oakland
- San Juan Canyon/County G1
- The dirt part of Pozo Road (Old CA 178)
- Los Angeles County N2 which incorporates part of Old Ridge Route and Pine Canyon Road
- CA 4 east of Bear Valley towards Ebbetts Pass
- CA 108 climbing east to Sonora Pass
- Parts of Tulare County Mountain Road 56, 99 and 107
- North Fork Road (old Colony Mill Road) north of Three Rivers.
- Dunlap Road/Old CA 180
- Sand Creek Road approaching Dunlap Road
- Dinkey Creek Road at the Wishon Reservoir
- Burma Grade Road
- Donner Pass Road/Old US 40
- Carquinez Scenic Drive/Old US 40
- Parts of CA 128 east of Napa Valley
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 10, 2021, 06:43:55 PM
Quote from: skluth on May 10, 2021, 06:28:35 PM
There's some quite busy ones in So Cal.
CA 74 west of Lake Elsinore (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.6646391,-117.3749436,2501a,35y,180h,38.64t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
CA 74 again south of Palm Desert (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.642854,-116.3871068,1536a,35y,270h,38.85t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en) (best known for the opening scene of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World)
San Diego County Road S22 west of Borrega Springs (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.2234534,-116.388471,2598a,35y,270h,38.67t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
CA 243 entering Idyllwild (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7310393,-116.7386827,1647a,35y,90h,38.78t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)
I've driven all these. Most of the bigger climbs into the mountains - Idyllwild, Big Bear, and the San Gabriel Mountains - have a few scary cliffs on one side of the road at some point. And that doesn't even count driving to Big Sur on CA 1.
Some others off the top of my head in the SoCal Area:
- Dirt CA 173 (which isn't open to traffic but nonetheless is on a ledge).
- CA 39 south of CA 2/Islip Saddle
- Angeles Forest Highway
- CA 2 Angeles Crest
- CA 23 in Decker Canyon and Grimes Canyon
- CA 33 Maricopa Highway
- Hudson Ranch Road
- Caliente-Bodfish Road
- Woodland-Tehachapi Road (Old US 466)
- CA 154 east of San Marcos Pass and nearby Old CA 150 on Stagecoach Road
- Cat Canyon Road
- Mulholland Highway (mostly the dirt segment)
- CA 58 west from Maricopa towards Soda Lake
- CA 178 Kern Canyon
Max has driven far more of these than I will ever attempt. If you're looking for anything in California, he's probably the first one to ask. I hadn't thought about Mulholland Drive, but even the tour bus segment looks down some cliffs.
^^^
I'm starting to realize I've had way too much time on my hands over the years with all these ledge side drives. I kind of prefer Dirt Mulholland given there aren't any houses and you get a really good idea how high the road is atop the Santa Monica Mountains. Too bad the dirt segment requires use of a mountain bike given its is now banned to cars.
A couple more California:
- Parkfield Grade Road/Parkfield-Coalinga Road south of Coalinga.
- CA 198 west of Old Lewis Creek Road (Old CA 25) west to CA 25 (hell of a view of the San Andreas Fault).
- Some of the hairpin segments of Coalinga Road in San Benito County.
- Panoche Road/County J1 east of Panoche Pass over the Jackass Grade
- San Juan Grade/Salinas Road (a Ridge Route like segment of Old US 101)
- Old Stage Road south of San Juan Bautista
- CA 9 Waterman Gap
- CA 49 north of Cool to Auburn.
- CA 162 approaching the Bidwell Bar Bridge
- CA 263/Old US 99 Shasta River Canyon
- Stage Coach Road Cuesta Pass
- Sierra National Forest Route 10/Sky Ranch Road ascending above Oakhurst
- A large segment of Ben Hur Road south of Mariposa
- Much of Old Highway south of Mariposa
- The top of Yokohl Valley Drive
- Bald Hills Road in Redwood National Park
- Eastern CA 169
- La Gloria/Gloria Road north of Pinnacles National Park
- CA 190 west of Towne Pass to Panamint Valley
- CA 172 Mineral Summit
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier was mentioned earlier, but another road in Montana and Wyoming that fits is US 212 over Beartooth Pass (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRVjq14YSQVmyBS3A). Like GttS, this is a seasonal road that is well worth the time to drive when it's open.
NY 218 on the Storm King Highway in Orange County, NY between West Point and Cornwall is one. Overlooking the Hudson below it and upward is the big hill the road is named for.
Skyline Drive in Cañon City, CO
Several keep trails in Moab, UT are right along edges.
And, probably one of the most famous: Pikes Peak Highway is almost entirely on the edge of a cliff for most of the upper portion.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 10, 2021, 02:47:58 PM
Some Arizona:
...
The dirt part of AZ 88 east to Tortilla Flat.
...
I know you meant to say "east from Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam", Max. But yeah, the Fish Creek Canyon section is unnerving, but spectacular. Especially when you're headed east (downhill) and some local comes roaring uphill in a huge RV towing a boat!