Trail Overview
This trail starts on Clark Creek Road and cuts through the Lassen National Forest as well as some private land, so staying on the trail is essential to respect these boundaries. Wood cutting is not allowed along this route. The trail climbs almost 1,300 feet and drops over 600 feet, creating significant elevation changes across its extended length. The surface consists of hard-packed dirt with some gravel and small rocks, providing generally stable footing despite the substantial climbing and descending. The route runs along a shelf road at times, giving drivers nice views of the surrounding area from these elevated sections. The trail gets more narrow after the first two miles, requiring increased attention to vehicle width and potential oncoming traffic in the tighter sections. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the route, so visitors should be on the lookout for white-tailed deer and black bears.
Difficulty
The primary challenges include managing the substantial climbing and descending over the 14-mile distance, navigating shelf road sections safely, and handling the narrower trail width in later sections while remaining aware of private property boundaries.
