Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Mabie, California

Bonta Creek - NF23N33 is an easy, scenic dirt route for those seeking access to the deeper trail systems of the Plumas National Forest. Spanning approximately 7.8 miles, this well-graded Forest Service road winds through lush pine forests, offering a smooth drive that is accessible to most high-clea...
Learn more about Bonta Creek - NF23N33

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks more maintained. These roads start at 5,000 feet and climb up to over 7,000 feet, so ...
Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55

Beckwourth - NF23N03 is an ideal introductory route for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and high-clearance rigs looking to access the sprawling network of forest service roads on Beckwourth Mountain. Starting right outside of Portola, California, at an elevation of 4,875 feet, this 3.45-mile dirt a...
Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03

Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42 begins off Mohawk Chapman Road and acts as a steady, twisting dirt climb up the mountain. Forest Service signage at the start indicates that this route was primarily used as a logging road, as supported by the wide, graded dirt surfaces and clearings with slash piles visible ...
Learn more about Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42

While the entire road stretches for roughly 12 miles, this specific adventure covers the upper 7.5-mile unpaved segment as it climbs gently toward Chapman Saddle. This is a classic, highly scenic Forest Service road, featuring a wide, well-maintained path framed by towering pine trees that offer won...
Learn more about Mohawk Chapman Road - FS 22N98

Bonta Ridge (Forest Service Road 23N05Y) is an approachable, scenic climb ideal for beginners and scenic tourers looking to explore the rugged beauty of the Plumas National Forest. Starting from Bonta Creek Road just off CA-70, this 3.6-mile dirt and gravel route features a steady ascent with an ele...
Learn more about Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This spur accesses the communications tower equipment on private property at the summit of Beckwourth Peak. There is an open gate, and there aren't any No Trespassing signs visible...
Learn more about Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A

Haskell Cross - FS 21N91 is accessed from Haskell Sheep Ranch Road and connects to Mohawk Chapman. This route is a nice, winding forest road that functions mostly as a tree-lined "forest tunnel." While it lacks sweeping scenic views or major points of interest, it serves as an excellent, time-saving...
Learn more about Haskell Cross - FS 21N91

Winding through the forest, Mohawk Heights Road - FS 21N21 is a largely unmaintained dirt trail that descends for the majority of its 1.2-mile length. The route is overgrown in several places, with branches hanging close to the roadway, and ultimately ends abruptly with several downed trees blocking...
Learn more about Mohawk heights road - FS 21N21

Beckwourth Tie Spur (NF23N03YB) is an easy, 2.5-mile dirt Forest Service road near Portola, California, that offers offroaders scenic access into the rugged trail network of Beckwourth Mountain. Ideal for beginners or those seeking a straightforward connection, this route starts at an elevation of 4...
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB

Haskell Sheep Ranch, a wonderfully varied loop that branches off the Mohawk Chapman route and reconnects just below Chapman Saddle. The journey begins with a flat, easy quarter-mile stretch before transitioning into a steady, gradual incline through beautifully dense pine forests. You will encounter...
Learn more about Haskell Sheep Ranch - FS 21N27

Church Creek - FS 28 begins on the eastern end of Forest Road 721. The road is generally flat and passes through densely forested sections. The surface is mostly hard-packed sand with a few short sections of loose rock. You will see several downed trees alongside the trail, but it currently remains ...
Learn more about Church Creek - FS 28

The trail kicks off at the intersection of 721 Church Meadow Road, starting with an easy, gradual climb. As you pass through the towering fir forest, the terrain becomes a bit more difficult, requiring slower travel for low-clearance vehicles. Along the way, you'll catch intermittent views of nearby...
Learn more about Mills Peak - FS 12E74

FS 822 starts from its north end, immediately descending gradually for the first 100 yards. The surface is primarily dominated by loose rock, though it transitions into more embedded, solid rock farther along the trail. While mostly straightforward, there is one section where additional ground clear...
Learn more about FS 822

This section of the Chapman Calpine road begins just off Highway 89 in the town of Calpine, serving as one of two distinct routes sharing this name that do not actually physically connect. The journey starts as a wonderfully smooth, wide dirt road flanked by evergreen trees before opening up into a ...
Learn more about Chapman Calpine - FS 52

Starting near Gold Lake, Church Meadow Road is a pretty easy, manageable trail suitable for all vehicles. The route features a dirt and gravel surface with occasional loose granite rocks that are easy for all skill levels to navigate. The difficulty remains consistently low throughout the entire dri...
Learn more about Church meadow road - FS 721

Accessed from Haskell Peak Road, Gould - FS 9 is a two-track road that primarily features smooth gravel. The route navigates through two switchbacks accompanied by a moderate decrease in elevation. While the drive is straightforward, some sections of the trail have been eroded by water, and there is...
Learn more about Gould - FS 9

Accessed directly from Chapman Saddle, this route takes you on a peaceful journey through a dense, towering evergreen forest. Because the thick, tightly packed trees line the shoulders so closely, you will not find any sweeping scenic vistas or open clearings suitable for dispersed camping anywhere ...
Learn more about Mark - FS 21N83

Accessed directly from Highway 49 via Chapman Calpine, the beautiful Chapman Saddle Road takes you on a sweeping journey through a towering evergreen forest. As you cruise along this wide, inviting path, you will notice that the landscape periodically opens up to reveal areas of recent forest thinni...
Learn more about Chapman Saddle - FS 21N09

Dirt Forest Service Road accesses a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start at 5,000 feet and climb up to over 7,000 feet, so acc...
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks more maintained. These roads start at 5,000 feet and climb up to over 7,000 feet, so ...
Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55

Beckwourth - NF23N03 is an ideal introductory route for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and high-clearance rigs looking to access the sprawling network of forest service roads on Beckwourth Mountain. Starting right outside of Portola, California, at an elevation of 4,875 feet, this 3.45-mile dirt a...
Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03

Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42 begins off Mohawk Chapman Road and acts as a steady, twisting dirt climb up the mountain. Forest Service signage at the start indicates that this route was primarily used as a logging road, as supported by the wide, graded dirt surfaces and clearings with slash piles visible ...
Learn more about Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42

While the entire road stretches for roughly 12 miles, this specific adventure covers the upper 7.5-mile unpaved segment as it climbs gently toward Chapman Saddle. This is a classic, highly scenic Forest Service road, featuring a wide, well-maintained path framed by towering pine trees that offer won...
Learn more about Mohawk Chapman Road - FS 22N98

Bonta Creek - NF23N33 is an easy, scenic dirt route for those seeking access to the deeper trail systems of the Plumas National Forest. Spanning approximately 7.8 miles, this well-graded Forest Service road winds through lush pine forests, offering a smooth drive that is accessible to most high-clea...
Learn more about Bonta Creek - NF23N33

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks more maintained. These roads start at 5,000 feet and climb up to over 7,000 feet, so ...
Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55

Beckwourth - NF23N03 is an ideal introductory route for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and high-clearance rigs looking to access the sprawling network of forest service roads on Beckwourth Mountain. Starting right outside of Portola, California, at an elevation of 4,875 feet, this 3.45-mile dirt a...
Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03

Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42 begins off Mohawk Chapman Road and acts as a steady, twisting dirt climb up the mountain. Forest Service signage at the start indicates that this route was primarily used as a logging road, as supported by the wide, graded dirt surfaces and clearings with slash piles visible ...
Learn more about Mohawk Creek - FS 22N42