West Fort Mountain - FS 37N02Y

This 6-mile out-and-back trail starts and ends on Soldier Mountain Reservoir - FS 37N03, traveling through the Lassen National Forest surrounded by oaks and pine trees. The trail surface consists of hard-packed dirt and gravel, providing generally stable footing at the outset of the route. Various mud holes appear along the trail that can be wet or dry depending on the season, all remaining under 12 inches deep. After the first mile, the trail starts climbing, and the surface becomes more rocky and more narrow, increasing the technical demands as the route progresses. The trail climbs over 600 feet and drops almost 500 feet, creating substantial elevation changes over its length. The farther you travel, the median develops increasingly overgrown vegetation, adding contact points along the narrowing corridor. The trail runs along a shelf road at times, adding exposure to the climbing sections. Heading south, nice views of the mountains reward drivers for the technical effort required along the route.