Osha Canyon Trail - FS 20

Trail 20 is a long and technical ATV trail in the Carson National Forest that is more suitable for dirt bikes only. It does not look trafficked by ATVs, and many spots would likely be too narrow and technical for ATVs, as many segments are more like single track. The entire 6-mile route is extremely rocky. All of the rock obstacles are intermediate level, but it feels harder because they are constant and you never get a break. The north entrance to the trail starts with a long creek crossing that was deceptively deeper than it looked. The main creek crossing was easy, with clear water to see the rocks, but then there was a secondary creek crossing that was swampy and grassy from the creek flooding into the trail (after heavy rains in mid-September) that was very soft and deep in the middle, where the bike could sink up to the fenders if you don’t keep on the throttle or pick a good line. Throughout the rest of the route, there are several more short creek crossings, all rocky, but shallower than the first. The trail parallels a creek, and in late summer after heavy rains, it was overflowing into the trail in several spots, making the rocks slick. You essentially ride directly up the creek in spots. In addition to constant big rocks and slippery roots, this trail is also full of small downed logs that are now pressed down into the dirt and permanent fixtures of the trail. They range from 6” to over a foot tall, and they are all slick. Most of them are easy to get over, but some are situated diagonally across the trail, so it’s important to square up to them so that you don’t slide sideways. The entire trail is a constant climb from north to south, but it’s mostly gradual until the very end, where it gets steeper and climbs up to the intersection with Trail 22. There is a steep root obstacle in the southern half near the end that is more difficult. This trail constantly keeps you on your toes, but is a fun and scenic challenge for dirt bikers looking for a rugged adventure with lots of rocks. This trail is open to motorized use from 3/15 to 11/15.