Conquering Elk Summit: Driving the Unpaved Road to Idaho's Historic Lookout
Elk Summit is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,949m (6,394ft) above sea level, located in Idaho County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.
Is the road to Elk Summit in Idaho unpaved?
Set high in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, to the northwest of Elk City, the road to the summit is fully unpaved. It’s called FS-471. The road is not well-maintained, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The summit has hosted a lookout tower since 1911. A 100-foot tower was placed on the summit in 1934. This structure is still occasionally used on an emergency basis.
How long is the road to Elk Summit in Idaho?
Starting from Elk City, the road to the summit is 14.96km (9.3 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 779 meters. The average gradient is 5.2%.