We were on House Rock valley Road last June and saw several nesting California Condors soaring above the cliffs when w estopped at the kiosk about the condors. It is a beautiful drive, but 4x4 is probably recommended. We did see other vehicles not 4x4 high clearance but probably shook the heck out of them. It passes by the Coyote Buttes area which both now require limited permits to hike within that area. You can also access the Wire pass area there, I think.