Trail Overview
This trail serves as the main north-south route for this canyon, offering dramatic scenery as it travels through the region. The trail surface consists of dirt with small volcanic rocks, surrounded by short bushes and grasses, some of which grow tall along the trail median. Seasonally blooming wildflowers add color to the landscape during appropriate times of year, enhancing the scenic experience. The route cuts through a few open meadows banked by various lava bed ridges, creating striking geological contrasts throughout the journey. Most of the trail lies within the Modoc National Forest, with a very short section at the north end crossing into BLM land. A gate marks the trail, and visitors should be sure to close it behind them. The trail climbs and descends a few short hills, creating a rolling driving experience without major elevation extremes. Heading north, the mountains in Oregon serve as a scenic backdrop, while driving south rewards visitors with views of various volcanic mountains, providing constantly changing vistas depending on the direction of travel. The trail surface is fairly bouncy and will test vehicle suspension throughout the drive. Summer visitors should plan accordingly, as temperatures can get very hot during this season.
Difficulty
This trail has an easy difficulty rating of 2 based on the bouncy volcanic rock surface that tests suspension, slightly off-camber sections, and short climbing and descending hills, though no significant technical obstacles are present. The primary considerations include managing the bouncy ride quality for comfort and navigating the mild off-camber sections, with high clearance recommended though not strictly required.
