Trail Overview
Formerly a 4-mile loop starting and ending on the Little Horse Trail, the False Gap (FS 43N51) route has been significantly altered by the aftermath of the 2021 Antelope Forest Fire. As the Forest Service focused resources on clearing primary arteries, this route was left to become overgrown and has since been re-established as a shorter, point-to-point trail that terminates at the Little Horse Peak Trail. The route sits within the Klamath National Forest and traverses sections of the massive burn scar—over 150,000 acres—where standing timber is largely gone. Recent maintenance has seen the trail regraded and surfaced with crushed red rock, providing a more stable path than the loose dirt and rock that characterized the post-fire period.
Difficulty
Carrying a rating of 1, this is an easy, low-technicality drive. The primary challenges are environmental rather than terrain-based. The trail is narrow in sections, with thick stands of California shrub oak that can cause pinstripes. While the regrading and new stone surface have improved stability, you will still encounter fallen branches and occasional trees that require careful navigation. Be acutely aware that in the burn-affected sections, standing trees and deadfall are inherently unstable and can collapse at any time; do not linger or camp near dead timber, and always plan your route with the understanding that trail conditions can change rapidly due to falling debris.
