Trail Overview

Forest Service 538B is a two-track dirt and rock trail. It begins at FS 538 and continues along the ridge, more or less following the power lines, until you end at the locked gate for Casner Trail. The views along the trail are stunning! The final tenth of a mile leads to a narrow ridge that has three trailheads: Taylor Cabin, Trail #12, and Casner Mountain Motorized Trail (locked to vehicles but can be traveled on foot. See the OnX trail for Casner Mountain Trail for more info). The descent to the trailheads may look intimidating, but it is quite easy and there is plenty of room to turn around at the flat ridge at the end. Along the way, you'll see mule deer, amazing red rock vistas, the Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sycamore Valley, and-if you take a short hike-the old Buck Ridge Cabin (burned, but still quite interesting).

Photos of FS 538B Buckner Ridge Trail

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Difficulty

The trail can be muddy in places. There are some buried boulders less than 12 inches tall, and there are limited places to pass in certain areas of the trail.

Technical Rating

Bear Yava-Coco

Mar 17, 2026

Open

First off, this trail isn't the 538B, it's the 538. 538B begins just after the 538H/538A intersection and heads to Casner Mtn Trail. The 538 trail (Secret Mtn Rd as you call it) begins at the intersections of the 231 ("edge of the world"), 535/536 (that starts from 89A) and 538 (which starts at that intersection). Please update! The 538 has been riddled with fallen trees (I stopped counting at 26), gobs of muddy spots and ruts that are pretty deep as well as washes that cross the road. I removed any tree and debris that I could but all of them have alternate paths already. I have images of some attached. I rode all the way out to the 538B (Casner Mtn Access trail). Lots of rocks to avoid but tons of fun!