8s098 - Snow Drift

Total Miles
2.4

Technical Rating

2

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This is a fun, scenic, and easy 2.4-mile forest service road that climbs onto a ridge offering spectacular, high-elevation vistas, including an overlook of Huntington Lake and the nearby China Peak Ski Resort. The road surface is generally wide and fast, consisting primarily of smooth DG and packed dirt (visible in photos). However, the trail is situated in the 2020 Creek Wildfire burn scar. The drive requires caution due to intermittent chunky embedded rock on the tread and constant vigilance for deadfall and falling snags in this high-hazard environment. Numerous spurs branch off the main route, leading to excellent dispersed camping opportunities.

Photos of 8s098 - Snow Drift

8s098 - Snow Drift
8s098 - Snow Drift

Difficulty

High clearance and 4 Wheel Drive are not required for transit on this road, as the smooth DG sections are easily managed by any vehicle. The R2 rating is assigned solely because of the occasional bits of chunky embedded rock encountered on the ascent, which forces slower travel and justifies high clearance for sustained comfort and safety, preventing potential tire or suspension issues on the sharpest rocks.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

There are no status reports yet for this trail.

8s098 - Snow Drift can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High-Clearance 4x4
  • SUV

Access Description

This road is accessed via Kaiser Pass Road (CA 168) and then branches onto the rougher FS 8S010 (Red Mountain Road), which is the main feeder route in this high-country network.

8s098 - Snow Drift Map

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