Nicklen Lake

Nicklen Lake is an easy, highly scenic 3.7-mile trail perfect for beginner offroaders, SxSs, and families looking to reach a beautiful lakeside recreation site. This route follows a basic two-track forest service road characterized by frequent washboarding, making it a highly accessible drive in both the summer and winter. Beginning at an elevation of 4,100 feet and rising to 4,400 feet, the road winds through a lush forested corridor with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 510 feet. With a technical rating of 2, the trail presents minimal challenges under normal conditions, making it suitable for standard four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs. Accessing the trail is straightforward by taking Aberdeen from Highway 6 and proceeding to Goat Mountain. Because the road is actively used by industrial traffic, drivers must remain alert for working logging trucks and should utilize a radio tuned to channel RR-02 for Goat Mountain to coordinate passing. Winter travel requires extra vigilance, as snow conditions can shift rapidly and multiple downhill corners can become exceptionally slippery. The trail concludes at the scenic Nicklen Lake recreation site, offering an ideal spot for camping, paddling, and enjoying the quiet wilderness.