Foote's Crossing Road in California is one of America's most spectacular mountain drives

Foote's Crossing Road is a very scenic drive straddling Nevada and Sierra counties in the U.S. state of California. The road is narrow, steep, twisting and potentially hazardous as it winds through the Tahoe National Forest.

Foote's Crossing Road

When was Foote's Crossing Road built?

The road was built by a civil and mining engineer named Arthur De Wint Foote in 1913. It took six months to build it.

Is Foote's Crossing Road unpaved?

Foote's Crossing Road is designated as Road 191 (in Sierra County) and Road 613 (in Nevada County). It was originally called Foote's Crossing, but is also known as Tyler Foote Road, Tyler-Foote Road, Tyler Foote Crossing Road or Tyler-Foote Crossing Road. A portion of the road is a narrow, roughly graded, single-lane wagon shelf road, while other parts are paved.

How long is Foote's Crossing Road?

The road is 39.10km (24.3 miles) long, running from CA-49 Road (Golden Chain Highway) to Alleghany (in Sierra County). Parts of the road are deeply rutted and require high-clearance vehicles. The most treacherous part of the drive is traversing the steep cliffs above the Middle Fork Yuba River.

Is Foote's Crossing Road worth the drive?

The drive is really scenic. Make sure you leave enough time to make plenty of stops along the way. A portion of the road has been described as ‘America's most spectacular mile of mountain road’. It’s notable for the rugged beauty of the river canyon it traverses.
Pic: Steve Schmorleitz

 

 

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