Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Mesa, California

On Pole Road (3V04), with the Owens River to the south, the majestic Eastern Sierra mountain range to the west, the sprawling White Mountains to the east, and Casa Diablo to the northwest, you will…
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Chalk Bluff Road is a graded, well-used road with bouldering on the north side and fishing access to the south side. Chalk Bluff Road is well used. There is a vault toilet at the west…
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This very dusty route features sand with various-sized embedded rocks and is part of the larger R1 system. The trail is 1 1/2 vehicles wide with various shelf road sections along the creek, requiring extra…
Learn more about Tungsten Hills North

This relatively flat trail cuts through the valley between the Eastern Sierras and the Pine Creek Mine Mountain, providing a scenic traverse through diverse high-desert terrain. The route is a continuation of the Tungsten Hills…
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This sandy cutoff trail connects Sawmill Road with Tungsten City Road, dropping almost 300 feet in almost 1.5 miles. The route offers views in all directions, including the Eastern Sierras, the White Mountains, the Buttermilk…
Learn more about Sawmill Connector

This route starts at Highway 168, just north of Bishop, beginning as a very wide trail before narrowing after 1 mile as you enter the Tungsten Hills OHV area. The trail passes a pet cemetery…
Learn more about Tungsten City Road

This route drops over 734 feet in 2 miles, offering views of the Eastern Sierras, the White Mountains, the Buttermilk Rock Formations, and the Town of Bishop below as you descend. The trail features some…
Learn more about McGee Creek R2

This route drops over 200 feet in under 2 miles, winding through the hills while following power lines. The trail offers beautiful views of the Eastern Sierras on one side and the White Mountains on…
Learn more about Tungsten Hills Cutoff

This route is part of the foothills of the Eastern Sierras, dropping down into the Pine Creek Mine Valley with the White Mountains visible on the other side. The trail connects to Pine Creek Mine…
Learn more about FS 7S102

This very sandy and dusty trail is one vehicle wide, lined with thick brush throughout most of the route. The trail offers stunning views of the Eastern Sierras and other surrounding hills and rock formations…
Learn more about Longley Meadow - FS 7504

Casa Diablo Road is a twenty-one-mile dirt road that connects Benton Crossing Road to the Bishop Area. It starts at 7414 feet and drops down over 3000 feet to 4170 feet. The first part, off…
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Pole Road (4S04) is a mild dirt road mixed with shallow sand. It is 8 miles one way, 16 miles out and back. It has a few offshoots for camping and even has a route…
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This route starts off as a wide very sandy road that goes by a very popular mountain bike area, so watch out for bikers throughout the journey. The trail takes you up a canyon with…
Learn more about Coyote Valley Road

The trail begins just off the northbound side of Highway 395 and quickly introduces you to compact sand mixed with small rocks. Lined with juniper pine trees, it offers sweeping views of the Eastern Sierra,…
Learn more about FS 31E311

This trail climbs more than 550 feet and drops 160 feet in just over 2.25 miles, running parallel to Highway 395. From the south, it immediately climbs a small hill and continues as a sandy,…
Learn more about FS 5S108

Fish Slough Road is a 19-mile long (End to End), 3-vehicle-wide road, and depending on the time of the year, it could be evenly graded or can have washboards of varying degrees. There are amazing…
Learn more about Fish Slough Road (3V01)

This 3-mile trail climbs about 250 feet and drops 111 feet, making for a gradual but scenic ride. The route begins on pavement before quickly turning to hard-packed dirt with some washboards. Along the way,…
Learn more about FS 5S106

This compact sand trail is about one vehicle wide and quickly introduces you to ruts and off-camber sections, especially near the start. As it winds through a sparse but beautiful pine forest, the route is…
Learn more about FS 5S105

Starting off Gorge Road, this trail begins as a once-paved surface now broken with potholes and deteriorating asphalt. It quickly transitions into sand and dirt, offering early views of Casa Diablo Mountain with the White…
Learn more about Forest Service Road 04S43

A very scenic track through pine forest and high desert with breathtaking views of the Eastern Sierras to the West and the White Mountains to the East. The trail runs between sandy areas and rocky…
Learn more about FS 4S132

This 5.5-mile out-and-back trail climbs steadily toward one of the small peaks in the Eastern Sierra, offering a mix of rugged terrain and breathtaking vistas. The lower section starts as packed dirt with small embedded…
Learn more about FS 32E307

Forest Service Road 04S131 travels just over two miles. Coming from the west side, off of FS4S126, you cut through pine trees along the sandy track. As you approach the east side, close to Casa…
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This trail climbs 170 feet and drops 260 feet over just 2.3 miles, winding through a juniper pine forest dotted with brush and striking rock formations. The track offers a scenic, meandering drive through rolling…
Learn more about FS 4S121

This is a very sandy trail that stays mostly flat, with a gentle climb near the end. The track is about a single vehicle wide, though there are occasional pull-offs for passing. The trail begins…
Learn more about Owens Gorge Loop - FS 4S05

This out-and-back trail is just over five miles long. It winds through rock formations and pine trees. Some areas are very narrow. There are many great views of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It ends at…
Learn more about FS 4S136

This 11.2-mile out-and-back trail climbs over 1,100 feet and drops almost 1,300 feet over 5.6 miles, winding through alternating meadows and pine tree forests. At mile one, there's a small creek crossing, after which the…
Learn more about FS 31E305

Starting just off Old Gorge Road near Highway 395, this is a scenic trail winding through rolling hills lined with pine trees and brush, with dramatic rock formations in every direction. The Eastern Sierra mountains…
Learn more about Bishop Tuff Scenic Loop - FS 4S38

Forest Service Road 04S126 starts just after the east start of FS4S136. This sandy trail travels through meadows covered with brush and some tall pine trees. As you continue south it can be hard to…
Learn more about FS 4S126

Casa Diablo Mine Cutoff, also called FS 04S04, drops 600 feet over six miles. This mostly sandy trail does have various rocky sections and ruts to handle. Use caution as they come out of nowhere.…
Learn more about Casa Diablo Mine Cut Off - FS 04S04

This sand and dirt trail is filled with embedded rocks of all sizes, from small loose chunks to larger boulders scattered along the way. It climbs nearly 800 feet in under 3 miles and rewards…
Learn more about FS 32E306