Winding Stairs-Ice Cave Loop

Total Miles
8.1

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This loop consists of Forest Service roads 323 and 324 which meet on the east side of the loop; the loop is continuous, and the numbers can be confusing. The trail surface is decomposed granite, which can erode easily and cause deep erosion cuts. Where the trail crosses the north-facing slopes, it can retain snow and ice and be very slick, with some exposure if you were to slide off the trail. Standing water is common after rain and snowmelt and can be deeper than it looks. There are several dead-end spurs and nice hiking in the area. A quartz rock quarry is on the left, just before FR 324.B, and can test your 4WD. Animals abound in this area, including deer, elk, turkey, and bear. The area created by the loop is a great place to explore on foot.

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Difficulty

There are some steep and occasionally rain-washed inclines or declines. There's potential for water crossing and snow in the spring and fall.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Road was clear for the most part, on the back part of the trail it was still covered in snow and ice which cause a jeep with all seasons to get stuck but otherwise was pretty clear.

I wouldn’t recommend unless you’d like a jeep on 35s or bigger this truck is an f250 on 35s air down no issues until you leave the ruts I fell through about 2 feet of snow. Imagine it’s a beautiful trail in the spring and summer. If you’re planning tackling in a 3/4 ton or bigger definitely want 37s or bigger.