Trail Overview
South Fussee is a scenic connector trail in the Fussee Lake network that links the main Fussee Lake Loop southward out to the Jaffray-Baynes Lake Road. The route twists and turns gracefully across the rolling hillside, winding through a nicely thinned ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest. Because the timber is relatively open and spaced out, you get great visibility through the trees as you work your way along the trail. Along the main route, you will pass a couple of level pull-offs complete with established rock fire rings that work well for a quick overnight camp. Several side spurs also branch off the main track, leading to quieter, tucked-away dispersed campsites in the surrounding woods. Keep your eyes peeled as you drive, as the open forest floor makes this a prime corridor for spotting white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and occasionally even a moose wandering through the low-lying draws. This is also active open-range country, so watch for free-roaming cattle on the road. Expect about one bar of cellular service that fades in and out depending on where you are on the hillside.
Difficulty
This is a generally easy, straightforward drive along a narrow gravel base. You will encounter occasional potholes, minor rutted sections, and a few mud holes depending on recent weather, but nothing overly technical. Although the trail is single-track width in places, the thinned forest provides ample pull-outs to easily let oncoming traffic pass.
