Trail Overview

Pringle Butte is a pretty level drive with a few bumps here and there until you reach the summit. The summit seems intimidating at first. You might want to use 4-low. You can bring rear-axle lockers, but you probably won't need them. There will be dips and loose rocks, but don't slow down until you reach the very top. You will know when to stop because you will be looking at an epic view of the endless countryside.

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Difficulty

The difficulty rating only applies to the last incline. It is there that you will encounter loose rocks some off-camber areas and some deep dips.

History

This butte and the nearby falls (which are on private property) were named for O.M. Pringle, who bought 160 acres of government land here in 1902 under the provisions of the Timber and Stone Act. The falls were also known as the Fish Trap, a reference to its use by the Native Americans, who caught fish by gills as they swam upriver through shallow channels. A post office named Pringle Falls operated from 1916 to 1918.

Technical Rating

Dustin

May 26, 2026

Open

Down tree, cut and removed. Trail open

Cindi M

Sep 28, 2025

Open

We took a different way up, and got on the trail right before the climb. There are two ways up, we took the one to the right, it had some steep and rocky parts but nothing too bad and we made it up in 4WD with no problem. We took On-X route down but a lot of trail was closed by boulders and over-growth. It looks like some of the original route doesn’t exist anymore but rerouting wasn’t an issue.

Tobias Williams

May 04, 2025

Open

Ran Pringle Butte trail with no major issues aside from a single obstacle — a downed tree partially blocking the path. I was able to pull it as far off to the side as possible, but it still requires a spotter to safely navigate around it. You’ll need to angle your rig sideways to squeeze through the tight space. Approach with caution — the bank drops off slightly, so control and tire placement matter. No body damage risks if you take it slow and steady with guidance. Trail is otherwise clear and passable. No deep ruts or water crossings encountered. Scenic views were solid throughout, especially near the ridge line. Would recommend a chainsaw if someone’s headed out there soon — a clean cut would open it fully. Recommendation: • Spotter required at the downed tree • Be ready to be off-camber for that section • Clearance and good articulation helpful • Chainsaw or handsaw would be ideal for cleanup