Trail Overview

This trail will give you epic views and a long steep climb up the ridgeline, which means even better views coming back down. The road has loose rock through most of it as well as deep cross-wash along most of the trail. The views are great, but there is a long 2-mile climb that will make squeamish passengers a bit scared as you ascend the ridge. At the top, the road keeps going, but at the time of the mapping, the gate was closed to vehicle traffic. Just before the gate is a short spur road that leads to a large campsite with a beautiful view through the trees.

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Difficulty

The road is narrow with some areas to pass, but there is a long steep stretch of trail with drop-offs next to the driver going up. Most of the trail is loose gravel. 4WD is needed for keeping traction going up the grade. It's highly recommend to use 4-low coming back down to keep your brakes cool and prevent potential loss of grip to the tires.

Technical Rating

R T

Sep 28, 2025

Open

Very Scenic drive up to the radio tower, where the gravel/dirt road continues on but is overgrown. Before this point, it's a single lane dirt road, high clearance needed, 4x4 reccomended to cross frequent cross-ditches dug across the road ranging from 6-12 inches deep. The grade ranged from 6-10 degrees most of the way. There is a two mile stretch in the first half of the drive on a very steep side of a mountain, has quite the drop-off driver-side on the acent. Encountered two vehicles descending as I was driving up, one of which held two friendly park rangers. Weather Conditions were dry and clear.

John P

Jul 19, 2025

Open

A few bikes and one other truck encountered on the route. The road was decent and clear, just rough in spots with quite a few deep drainage ruts that needed attention. No issues for stock Ram 1500 4x4 or Tacoma. Great views. Mostly a 4 due to steep incline near top and the drainage ruts, otherwise just 4L to descend and all was good.

Jacob Kirschbaum

Jun 30, 2025

Open

Road is open up to the USFS repeater slightly past the gate where the track ends. After the repeater it is heavily overgrown and no longer passable to anything bigger than a bike. It’s a reasonably long and steep climb, 7-10 degrees for significant periods. Low range on the way down definitely saves the brakes. A few very large drainage cuts that may be an issue for larger trucks.

shane cabalquinto

Mar 30, 2025

Open

Fun scenic trail but the last 200ft or so is covered with 8-10in of snow and it’s very slick!

Basalt Overland

Mar 01, 2025

Open

The trail was rough but perfect for the type of wheeling we wanted to do. There was patchy slushy snow the last 1/4 mile up. The last 500’ to the summit was solid slushy snow about 8” deep.

Eric L

Jul 27, 2024

Open

dry and dusty, few families camping along the roads,but very nice ride,beautiful scenery. sorry wo t let me upload more photos for some reason .

A R

Jul 13, 2024

Open

Beautiful trail up to a look out which unfortunately was already taken - apparently a beautiful view. We ended up camping half way up on an opening in front of a couple hiking trail heads. There are several ~12” runouts that you have to cross with some articulation, but with the right line you can get through it. Otherwise a smooth trail with a steep incline along the second half.