Hi Mountain Road

Total Miles10.1
Technical Rating
5Moderate
Best TimeFall, Spring
Trail TypeFull-Width Road
Accessible By
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Hi Mountain Road trail photo

Trail Overview

This trail is part of Los Padres National Forest. This trail is for street-legal vehicles only. Can either start from either Pozo or Lake Lopez side. High clearance is needed for the numerous seasonal creek crossings, especially on the Lopez side. Even though recently graded there are few deep ruts and narrow spots from erosion. There is some potential to see open-range cows. This trail is subjected to close due to weather conditions.

Photos of Hi Mountain Road

Difficulty

During the rainy season, there is a seasonal creek that will need to be crossed on either end. There is high risk for erosion throughout the trail.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

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Cameron Green
Jul 12, 2026
Open
Normal
This is not a 5/10 road; easily passable for any crossover SUV. 4WD not needed for trucks with AT/RT tires.
Brooke Vecente
Jun 06, 2026
Open
Gate is open all the way through, road looks and feels like it was slightly fixed but still not a super smooth ride. Creek crossings are still rocky
Alex L
Jun 05, 2026
Open
Gate at pozo fire station was open when I drove by, did not head down the trail.
Chris Santini
May 15, 2026
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Gate is closed. Can’t get in with truck or dirtbike
Caleb Brown
May 04, 2026
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Summit Seeker
Apr 24, 2026
1998 Ford Explorer
Temporarily Closed
Closed Gate
Cameron Green
Mar 03, 2026
Temporarily Closed
Seasonal ClosureClosed Gate
Alex L
Jan 01, 2026
Temporarily Closed
Gate still closed.
Matt V
Oct 27, 2025
2022 Ford Bronco
Temporarily Closed
Posted Sign
Closed sign at trailhead despite forest website status listed as open. Perhaps due to government shutdown?
Alex L
Sep 30, 2025
Temporarily Closed
Fire DangerTrail Restoration
Still closed from the fire.
Rick Kirkwood
Jul 25, 2025
Open
NormalDusty
Just us and a few deer. Some rutted spots, lots of creek crossings, unfortunately no water in them. Narrow luckily no one coming the other direction. Entered by Lopez lake, scenic.
Frank Banks
Jul 06, 2025
Open
NormalDusty
Relatively easy trail, some narrow spots with few turnouts. A few dry creek crossings with large loose rocks and loose dirt in most areas.
Sam-eagle black pearl
Jul 05, 2025
2016 Jeep Wrangler
Open
NormalDusty
Derek Hess
Jun 11, 2025
2023 Ford Bronco
Open
NormalDusty
Trail is in good shape, only one water crossing on the Pozo side about 6in deep.
entrl uzrnaam
May 25, 2025
Open
Normal
No problem in a Subaru crosstrek. Water crossings were 6"

Hi Mountain Road Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Hi Mountain Road Map

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