Trail Overview
Branching off Alder Springs Road (Forest Highway 7), Snow Basin Creek - FS 22N10 is a tranquil out-and-back mountain spur that descends gently along a scenic ridgeline. Set within Mendocino National Forest, the surrounding landscape showcases tall pine stands transitioning into open slopes undergoing natural recovery from the 2020 August Complex Fire, interspersed with cut timber piles and native understory brush. Featuring an easy Class 1 Technical Rating, the initial stretch offers a smooth, single-lane track composed of packed dirt and fine gravel. The road meanders downhill, passing a subtle spur near the 1.0-mile mark that offers access toward a seasonal creek bed. Drivers should stay left at the prominent forks located at 1.2 and 1.4 miles to remain on the main line. Past these junctions, the path becomes slightly more rugged as light brush grows along the centerline. The spur terminates at 1.8 miles where multiple fallen trees obstruct the roadway, making a turnaround advisable prior to the end where space allows.
Difficulty
Earning a gentle Technical Rating of 1, this forest spur features a firm dirt and gravel surface that presents minimal driving challenge during dry weather. The initial gradient is mild and easy to navigate, featuring forgiving curves and clear lines of sight. While the final half-mile narrows slightly with small brush sprouting along the track, the ground remains solid and free of steep drop-offs or deep ruts. Drivers should keep momentum through the brushy stretches and turn around before reaching the 1.8-mile point, where large blowdowns block the roadway.
