Trail Overview
Begin from the southwest end of Long Ridge (FS 10148). This one-lane shelf road is hard-packed dirt with embedded small rocks and occasional loose gravel under tire. As the road clings to the mountain’s flanks, exposure spikes on south-facing benches of sage and juniper where it narrows to true one-vehicle width with almost no shoulder and a sharp drop-off; on the north side, it tucks into aspen–pine shade with a more enclosed feel. With pullouts sparse, oncoming passes require planning and precise tire placement.
Throughout the drive, the forest opens and closes in waves; whenever the road swings onto the south face, the trees drop away to long, uninterrupted views and steady exposure, then it tucks back into timber on the north side. Expect intermittent shallow ruts, light washboarding, and a few short, punchy climbs and descents—steady bumps and chatter. Near the north end, the road enters a large burn scar with scattered snags and young aspen—the most exposed stretch before the turnaround. After storms, low spots hold puddles, and the clay turns slick. Cell service is spotty in the draws and fair on the highest knobs.
Difficulty
This is a narrow single-lane shelf road with exposure and sparse pullouts, hard-packed dirt with embedded small rock, loose gravel, intermittent shallow ruts, and a few short, punchy climbs/descents.
