Mendo-Lake Road

Total Miles
13.0

Technical Rating

1

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

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Mendo-Lake Road
16

Trail Overview

An easy scenic route over mountain ridges through South Cow Mountain OHV that connects lakeport to Ukiah. This is the main dirt road through cow mountain that has multiple harder trails off either side and has multiple campgrounds that are easily accessible by 2WDd vehicles. There are excellent views overlooking all of Lake Clearlake and the city of Lakeport.

Photos of Mendo-Lake Road

Mendo-Lake Road
Mendo-Lake Road

Difficulty

easy dirt road with a couple rutted out areas that are easily driven though at low speeds

History

The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area is located within the Mayacamas Mountains, east of the city of Ukiah and west of the city of Lakeport, in Northwestern California. The area offers beautiful views of Ukiah and Lake County; pockets of old-growth fir; several species of oak; willows; over 31 miles of stream; 13 reservoirs; and habitat for blacktail deer, bear, wild turkey, and other upland species.

Technical Rating

1

Status Reports

Randy Hunt
Apr 20, 2025
2018 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Normal
Victor Aguilera
Mar 30, 2025
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Eric S
Jul 20, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Michael Manning
Jul 09, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Quality road, no problem for stock 4x4 or Subaru type. Other cars could do it with some effort. Didn't take the side trails/obstacles. Took maybe 90 minutes or less to do the 13 miles. Nice views of the lake.

Access Description

LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 39.061288, -123.056391 DIRECTIONS: In Ukiah, take State Highway 101 south to the Talmage exit. Go east on Talmage Road about 1.5 miles. Turn right at East Side Road. Travel less than 0.5 mile to Mill Creek Road, which is on the left. Continue on Mill Creek Road 5 miles for entrance to South Cow Mountain. or Follow CA-29 to Scotts Valley Rd in Lakeport, Take exit 103 from CA-29N to 11th St/Scotts Valley Rd, turn left on Scotts valley road if traveling north on Ca-29 or Turn Right if traveling South on CA-29 . , turn left on Riggs Rd, turn Right onto Scotts Creek Rd.

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