Trail Overview
Agee Spring is a scenic trail that explores the region's grassy western foothills. The route traces a lower valley fence line before turning upward and climbing back into the rolling hills. Though the trail connects with its namesake spring, do not be surprised if the spring is dry during your visit, as seasonal water levels fluctuate heavily in this area. Along the drive, you will be treated to vibrant blooms of seasonal wildflowers and classic Great Basin scenery. The route is highly utilized by local livestock, so evidence of cattle use is abundant. As a vehicular route, the trail primarily serves as an excellent gateway, providing crucial foot access deeper into the National Forest and toward the adjacent wilderness boundaries. If you take the trail to its northern terminus, you will be rewarded with a fantastic, secluded little camp spot featuring a commanding view of the landscape. Cell service is exceptionally poor. You may catch a single bar of LTE that fades in and out, making it completely unreliable. Download your onX Offroad maps for offline use before leaving pavement.
Difficulty
While much of the trail is a mild, grassy drive, it earns a 3 rating due to several rutted-out hill climbs and a few medium-sized boulders situated directly in the trail that you will need to carefully navigate over and around. High clearance is recommended.
History
The presence of "Agee Spring" on the map, even when dry, shows how early mapping of the Great Basin revolved entirely around water. For early pioneers, prospectors, and Basque sheepherders, knowing the exact location of even a seasonal seep was a matter of life and death. The prominent fence lines you drive alongside today mirror historical grazing allotments established over a century ago, when cattle and sheep operations first began utilizing these foothills as vital transitional pastures between the harsh winters of the valley floor and the high-elevation summer ranges.
