Trail Overview
This trail starts off as a very sandy trail that immediately climbs up into some hills and winds its way toward the Fish Lake Mountains. The trail is pretty barren in vegetation except for a few creosote bushes at first, though later you'll encounter various desert bushes and ocotillo, which seasonally bloom. The surface is uneven with some ruts, drops into washes, whoops, and a mix of sand and gravel rocks, creating varied terrain. The trail is fairly straight, but it's not flat, traveling up and down hills as it gains elevation. The trail continues to climb until eventually you're over 250 feet above Carrizo Wash below, with great views of the mountains. The route runs along a shelf edge and ends up at the Carrizo Wash Overlook, a great viewpoint also known as the Bus Stop, as there is an old abandoned bus up top. The trail finishes down the other side with a very steep 159-foot drop that's very sandy. Many people make the run-up in side-by-sides or capable four wheel drive vehicles. There is an easier bypass trail called Carrizo Wash Viewpoint Trail for those who want to avoid the steep descent.
Difficulty
This is a very bumpy ride due to many articulating whoops that will test your suspension constantly. The uneven surface with ruts, wash drops, and mixed sand and gravel demands attention. Climbing hills and eventually gaining over 250 feet requires momentum and skilled driving. The shelf edge section requires respect for exposure. The very steep 159-foot sandy drop at the end is a serious challenge that may stop many vehicles and typically requires capable side-by-sides or advanced four wheel drive rigs. The bypass option is available for those not comfortable with the steep descent.
