Trail Overview
Sardinas Canyon Trail 12 is a wide and rocky route through the Carson National Forest, off of Forest Road 76. Per the MVUM, the trail is designated for 50-inch vehicles, but there are no sign designations at the entrances of the trail, and it looks more like a full-width road, so you may see wider vehicles out here unintentionally. It climbs up through the forest for 4.7 miles on a constantly rocky surface, including loose cobble, boulder faces, small chunky embedded rocks, and a couple of wider embedded rock layers forming short ledges. There aren’t any major rock ledges or obstacles, and since the trail is so wide, it’s easy to pick a good line through the rocks, keeping it relatively easy for a quad or dirt bike. It’s a steep grind up the mountain, though, for the entire route, gaining over 2,100 feet of elevation throughout the climb, with a couple of wide and sweeping switchbacks. The trail tops out over 11,300 feet elevation, so there can be a noticeable change in temperature and weather at the top of the trail. It ends at an unmarked intersection with FS Road 76E1, which also looked primitive and rocky. This trail is open to motorized use from 5/1 to 12/31.
Difficulty
Despite a constantly rocky surface, the trail is easy because there aren’t any major rock obstacles that make it too technical, and the trail remains very wide, so ATVs can pick a good line through the rocks. It’s the kind of cobbly rock surface that just beats you up and slows you down as you ride, but it’s not actually that technical. The trail is a constant ascent from south to north, with a mix of steep and gradual sections, ruts and roots, and potential mud. Expect changing conditions at high elevation.
Offroad