Trail Overview
This scenic out-and-back trail climbs steadily into the rugged foothills. The route begins by passing through a section of private property; drivers must stay strictly on the designated trail. As you navigate the rolling terrain, the trail climbs above the creek, offering outstanding panoramic views each time you crest a hill. During the right season, the hillsides are dotted with vibrant wildflowers. The trail remains elevated above Thompson Creek; if you wish to reach the water, you will need to park and hike down on foot. The driving experience becomes progressively more technical the deeper you go, introducing rocky boulder sections and steep, off-camber wash crossings that will test your vehicle's articulation. There is no reliable cell reception. Downloading offline maps is recommended. This is open range territory. Always keep a close eye out for cattle grazing along the trail and leave any gates exactly as you found them.
Difficulty
The trail starts relatively mild but gets harder as you travel farther up, with rockier terrain, boulder sections, and steep, off-camber wash crossings.