Pilot Ridge - FS 1S14

Trail Overview

This trail starts just off the south side of Bucks Meadow Road, right after the road turns to dirt, climbing over 1,300 feet and dropping just over 300 feet across just under 6 miles of varied terrain. The route begins as a one and a half to two vehicles wide hard-packed dirt surface that is relatively smooth, providing comfortable initial driving conditions. The area is open range, requiring awareness of cattle that may be present on or near the trail throughout the journey. Low-hanging branches pose hazards that can contact windshields, while logs that have been cut and pushed to the roadside create additional obstacles to navigate around. The trail follows a canyon positioned below a shelf road configuration, providing scenic canyon views during the ascent. At 1.5 miles, the shelf road opens up dramatically to reveal beautiful views of the forest across the canyon and the valley below, offering excellent photo opportunities and rest stops. The trail narrows periodically, requiring awareness of oncoming traffic and careful passing coordination. While generally smooth, drainage ditches along the trail sides and occasional ruts from water runoff require attention and careful line selection. Tree canopies form natural tunnels over portions of the trail, creating enclosed forest driving experiences. Dusty conditions can reduce visibility and obscure fallen trees positioned on the roadside, requiring reduced speeds and increased awareness during dry periods.

Photos of Pilot Ridge - FS 1S14

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Difficulty

This trail receives a difficulty rating of 1, indicating easy conditions suitable for most vehicles with adequate ground clearance. The relatively smooth, hard-packed surface and wide initial configuration make this accessible to beginners, though the 1,300-foot climb, shelf road sections with exposure, low-hanging branches requiring overhead clearance, occasional narrowing sections, and drainage ditches add elements that require basic attention and vehicle awareness.

Technical Rating

Pilot Ridge - FS 1S14 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV