Ponderosa Way North - FS 3S02

Trail Overview

This trail climbs 1,450 feet and drops over 1,000 feet in just over 6 miles, creating dramatic elevation changes throughout the journey. The very sandy and dusty surface winds up and down hillsides through terrain with sparse, low trees and bushes that provide limited shade. Starting from Bull Creek Road North, the route begins by winding through thick forest before transitioning to more open hillside terrain. The trail width ranges from one to two vehicles wide, with very dusty conditions persisting throughout the entire route. Numerous ruts from water runoff appear consistently along the trail, all measuring less than 18 inches deep but creating ongoing technical challenges. The route offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills, forest, and valleys as it traverses the varied terrain. Low-hanging branches in multiple sections will contact vehicles, requiring acceptance of overhead contact. At mile 1.8, a small rock obstacle must be navigated, and various spur trails worth exploring branch off from the main route throughout the journey. The trail becomes very narrow with extensive overgrown branches and bushes that will definitely add pinstripes to vehicles, making this truly an adventure trail for those willing to accept cosmetic damage. One small rock section could potentially become a water crossing during spring snowmelt or after heavy rains, adding seasonal variability to the obstacles. This trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles only, with side-by-sides and ATVs specifically allowed under the usage regulations.

Photos of Ponderosa Way North - FS 3S02

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Difficulty

This trail receives a difficulty rating of 3, indicating easy conditions despite significant adventure elements. The combination of sandy and dusty surfaces, ruts up to 18 inches deep throughout the route, low-hanging branches causing inevitable vehicle contact, very narrow sections with overgrown vegetation guaranteeing pinstripes, small rock obstacles, and potential seasonal water crossings creates substantial technical challenges that require acceptance of vehicle contact and careful navigation despite the easy rating classification.

Technical Rating

Ponderosa Way North - FS 3S02 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike