Trail Overview
Black Jack Mine is a narrow spur trail originating off Gasquet Mountain Road [FSR 17N49] that starts relatively easy, but features a lot of rocks, plenty of ruts, some steep climbs and descents, and a tight, technical turnaround at the end of the trail that will have you off camber near a steep drop-off down the mountain where the trail’s namesake mine once was. This trail is for high-clearance 4x4 vehicles only, and you’ll likely be crawling in 4-Low most of the time. However, the trail’s easterly views out toward the Six Rivers National Forest are spectacular, and at around the 2-mile mark of the trail, you will find a nice, big clearing surrounded by Fir trees that makes for a good dispersed campsite should you find yourself looking for a secluded area to relax. Note: This trail will likely be more difficult, or not open at all, immediately after periods of heavy rain or snow.
Difficulty
This trail has a steep and rutted trailhead off of Gasquet Mountain Road [17N49] that functions as a gatekeeper. Any vehicle that scrapes at the trailhead will likely experience difficulty with the narrow, rocky stretches and steep descents and climbs that this trail offers near the end of the ride. This trail will be especially difficult after rain or snowstorms, at which time you should expect the gate that leads to the final leg of the trail to be closed. Furthermore, the tight turnaround loop at the end of the trail has a very steep drop off the trail, with a strong potential for rollovers if the turn is taken too wide and/or your tire placement isn’t carefully selected.
