Trail Overview
This scenic route climbs into the higher elevations of the surrounding mountains, offering a beautiful drive through dense forest and increasingly rugged terrain. Like many of the roads in this area, the trail begins with several hundred yards of loose gravel before transitioning quickly to a more natural dirt surface. Along the route, you’ll encounter numerous ruts, generally no deeper than eight to nine inches, along with a couple of moderately steep, short climbs covered in loose rock that require 4WD. While the trail is manageable for an appropriately equipped high-clearance vehicle, drivers should use caution and select their lines carefully through the rougher sections. Wildlife is abundant in this region, and it’s common to encounter deer, elk, and other mountain wildlife, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Difficulty
This is not an extremely difficult trail, but it does require some attention to tire placement and your driving line. In a few sections, deeper ruts will require careful wheel placement, while the loose, steeper climbs can be managed by choosing the right line and maintaining steady momentum, particularly in dry conditions. Overall, this is a relatively easy trail with a few moderate challenges that make it enjoyable without being overly technical.
History
Seedhouse Road, now also known as Routt County Road 64 and Forest Road 400 farther into the forest, has a history closely tied to the early development of northern Routt County. The name comes from a U.S. Forest Service seed-collection project established in 1912 to gather seeds and pine cones from the surrounding forests; although the project proved too costly, the site later served as a Forest Service summer camp during the 1930s and 1940s. The road follows the Elk River valley north of Clark and eventually enters the forests leading toward the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, providing access to numerous historic and popular mountain trailheads.
