Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lee Vining, California
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Obsidian Dome to Grant Lake
The trail is a good day ride with great views and nice lookout points overlooking June Lake and Grant Lake. Most of the trail up to the Junction is trails through pine forest, 2nd half… Learn more about Obsidian Dome to Grant Lake
Total Miles
16.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Copper Mountain
Climb along the side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains above Mono Lake on this beautiful SUV route. Check out views of the valley as well as Lundy Lake, and make time to visit an abandoned… Learn more about Copper Mountain
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Obsidian Dome
The Obsidian dome is one of the many places where one can experience the immensity and the history of the volcanic activity in the Mammoth Lakes area. The road starts out paved but quickly turns… Learn more about Obsidian Dome
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Dobie Canyon Run
This is comprised of primarily fire roads with plenty of 2 trackside trails and even single-track if you are on two wheels. Fast-paced, easy-riding with GREAT views and a cool old "ghost" ranch house. Elevation… Learn more about Dobie Canyon Run
Total Miles
35
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hot Creek Geological Site
From Big Springs Campground, this is a fast and run route to an amazing natural hot creek! Complete with sizzling hot springs (careful, too hot to touch) that are a beautiful aqua color. Two-track roads… Learn more about Hot Creek Geological Site
Total Miles
20
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su
Deadman Pass
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Bodie Ghost Town
This is an alternative, fun, backroad route to Bodie State Historic Park that starts north of Bridgeport. History buffs will enjoy remains of the Chemung Mine and the site of Masonic, as well as great… Learn more about Bodie Ghost Town
Total Miles
22.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Bodie High Desert Highway
This route takes you from the high desert of Nevada to the chaparral of the Sierra Front Range. The Nevada side is dominated by wide, generally well-graded dirt roads, while the California side takes you… Learn more about Bodie High Desert Highway
Total Miles
61.3
Tech Rating
2
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Mammoth Lakes Overlook
This is an incredibly scenic trail that takes you high above the town of Mammoth Lakes. The trail starts near the New Shady Rest campground and soon climbs in elevation. The trail starts off as… Learn more about Mammoth Lakes Overlook
Total Miles
9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp
Masonic Mine
Ground clearance isn't much of a concern, but there are a lot of sharp rocks, so passenger car tires will not do. This is a good side trip to other trails in the area. Vehicles… Learn more about Masonic Mine
Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
3S151 Crowley Lake Trail
A scenic trail that winds it way from the North of Crowley Lake down towards the South-East section of the lake. This trail has side spurs to approach and park on the beaches of Crowley… Learn more about 3S151 Crowley Lake Trail
Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Holy Climber
This is a busy trail, with beautiful fall colors and great vistas. There are sections of loose, rocky terrain and sections with softer dirt that may be whooped out. Most are shallow and smooth, so… Learn more about Holy Climber
Total Miles
28.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
3S151 Side Spur Trail To Beach
A quick drive off the main trail to reach the beach and park on the shoreline. From there you can enjoy the beach and hike to see the beautiful Crowley Columns scattered throughout Crowley Lake… Learn more about 3S151 Side Spur Trail To Beach
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Desert Creek Loop
Short loop following Desert Creek between Smith Valley, NV and Bridgeport, CA. Several campgrounds are located along the creek, and there's good fishing and hiking nearby. The road is mostly one vehicle wide along the… Learn more about Desert Creek Loop
Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa
Chepo Saddle 6S13
This is a Sierra foothill road near Bass Lake, which is not visible on this trek. It is a clear dirt road with very little pinstriping. Some rutting but very manageable. There are several ways… Learn more about Chepo Saddle 6S13
Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Wellington Hills Road - 42778
This out and back, double-track, dirt trail mostly accommodates one-way traffic. It begins at Eastside Lane and gradually rises in elevation into the Wellington Hills, located in Toiyabe National Forest. There are vistas of Antelope… Learn more about Wellington Hills Road - 42778
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Eagle Meadows
This is an awesome out and back trail with amazing cliff views, creek crossings, beautiful trees and several great camping spots. Plenty of shorter trails splinter off the main roads, offering endless adventure. This route… Learn more about Eagle Meadows
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Seven Deer Trail
Beginning at the Lake Topaz picnic area the graded dirt road becomes narrower and is single-vehicle wide. Ascending to 5,971 feet this is mostly a packed gravel trail. There are some steep and very rocky… Learn more about Seven Deer Trail
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Chiatovitch Creek to Middle Creek
The lower trail is an easy grader with plenty of washboard and scattered rocks. It begins cutting through the neighborhood and while climbing offers amazing views of the valley below. Once you pass all the… Learn more about Chiatovitch Creek to Middle Creek
Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
The Easy Way Around Rock Creek
A nice easy graded single-track that gives access to the Inyo National Forest trail network. There are some dispersed camping spots along the way with established fire rings. It will get you around to the… Learn more about The Easy Way Around Rock Creek
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Red Rock Quicksilver Mine
This easy trail takes you all the way to the mining complex to the east and the historic mining complex. There are many structures still standing and plenty of kiosks and information about the area.… Learn more about Red Rock Quicksilver Mine
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Soda Creek Logging Camp
From Hwy 4 side the all-day adventure was on ungraded logging roads. They still log here on these roads so please drive slow and be aware of logging trucks possibly coming at you. You will… Learn more about Soda Creek Logging Camp
Total Miles
17.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Silver Canyon Road
Silver Canyon Road is a seasonal, one-lane road connecting Bishop, CA to the high alpine White Mountain Road and up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It is best run east to west in late… Learn more about Silver Canyon Road
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Elephant Lake
This trail follows the South Fork of the John Day River and crosses a very remote area. It's a great area for camping and hiking. Destinations include Blacks Canyon, Izee Falls, and several historical sites.… Learn more about Elephant Lake
Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
The Rut
This is a lightly traveled trail with a dirt floor. Uneven, rutted dirt trail with erosion. Potential water crossings up to a foot deep, in the winter, and in some spots the rut is 3ft… Learn more about The Rut
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Rowdy Cow
This is a lightly traveled dirt road with some ruts, loose rock, slight inclines, and narrow passages due to brush. Other challenges include snow in the winter snow and water crossings up to a foot… Learn more about Rowdy Cow
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Pine Tunnel
This trail is lined with pine trees and features a baby rock garden. It is no longer maintained by the Forest Service and ends where it is blocked by multiple fallen trees. Dispersed camping can… Learn more about Pine Tunnel
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Old Tamarack
This trail was once known as "Tamarack OHV 4x4" and has been closed since 2014. The start of the trail is still open and leads to a dispersed campsite before it is blocked by many… Learn more about Old Tamarack
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su
Sapps Hill
An easy trail with a few mud holes after a summer thunderstorm. There are plenty of places for dispersed camping along the route, and if you drive all the way to the end, you will… Learn more about Sapps Hill
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Teeth Rattler to The Crossing
A very easy two-lane dirt road that is occasionally graded takes you back to "the crossing", which gives access to many other areas' trails. There are a few offshoots leading to some dispersed camping along… Learn more about Teeth Rattler to The Crossing
Total Miles
6.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
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