Trail Overview
Operating as an out-and-back spur within the National Forest, FS 1650-650 serves as a quiet, scenic dead-end route perfect for backcountry staging. The trail cuts a narrow path through a densely timbered, lush evergreen environment, completely enclosed by towering pines and thick trailside brush. Earning a modest difficulty rating of 2, the single-lane dirt and crushed gravel surface remains consistently firm throughout the drive. This route is heavily utilized by outdoor enthusiasts due to the numerous, excellent dispersed camping options scattered along the roadside. The track officially concludes at a Forest Service tank-trap closure, which conveniently acts as a barrier for a final, spacious dispersed campsite at the very end of the road.
Difficulty
Holding a level 2 rating, this narrow forest service road provides a generally straightforward drive that requires a bit of an attentive pace. The hard-packed dirt and gravel roadbed is relatively flat and completely lacks deep washouts or large embedded rock obstacles, meaning undercarriage clearance is not a concern. However, the surface does suffer from continuous washboarding and a series of minor erosion ruts that will cause a rattling ride. Furthermore, the corridor is notably tight; while severe pinstriping isn't a guarantee, drivers will need to carefully manage the dense brush and pull over safely when encountering oncoming traffic. The trail ends abruptly at a large earthen tank-trap mound that cannot be bypassed.
