South Derby Creek

This can be a pretty spicey drive in when things are wet and muddy. When we drove it rained a good deal and looked like it had been raining for a while up high. There are two, steep and rutted hill climbs after the stream crossing that require lockers, good tires and ground clearance to make it up. The trail gets progressively more technical after Emerald Lake with ledges, rocks, deep mud-holes and plenty of things to smash your rocket planels on. This trail isn’t an 8 like most claim… when dry. It’s a different beast when wet. We had it both ways, wet and muddy on the way in and dry a few days later on the way out. I definitely wouldn’t want to drive out of there when it’s muddy. Controlling your speed down those two hill climbs in the mud would likely be impossible and end up in disaster with your ride wrapped around a few trees. Keep an eye on the weather.

Trail is super rocky, but was open all of the way to the upper two lakes where the trail ends. The Camping is beautiful up there but getting there may cost you a kidney. Not sure why this is rated an 8 for difficulty though, maybe for a stock Subaru without lockers, & there was no obstacles. I would rate this trail a high 4 maybe a low 5. I had to run the whole thing in 2 wheel drive to get back to camp after breaking both front axles on Tie Rod bender which is a true 8 difficulty trail.

Mostly rocky and some deep ruts. There is a section that is slippery mud. Had to turn around. No rocks to grip and no trees to pull from. Possible maybe with chains. Toyota Tacoma TRD with lift.