Trail Overview
NF-4330-170 is a rugged, scenic bypass trail perfect for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and dirt bikes looking to access Gallagher Head Lake while skipping the lower sections of the Fortune Creek 4WD Trail. Stretching approximately 2.6 miles along the lower flanks of Hawkins Mountain, this unmaintained Forest Service road offers a rocky trek with elevations climbing from 3,291 feet up to 4,076 feet. Along the route, drivers will navigate moderately challenging, rocky terrain and experience a vertical elevation change of about 785 feet. The trail provides a direct alternative route through dense evergreen forests, crossing over and running parallel to the adjacent Fortune Creek 4WD Trail, making it a valuable connector for those heading deeper into the alpine backcountry.
With a technical rating of 3, the road's unmaintained nature and embedded rock sections make it unsuitable for standard all-wheel-drive crossovers or low-clearance vans. High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and high-clearance SUVs are recommended to easily clear the rough obstacles along this forest service road. The route is subject to seasonal closures, typically opening on June 15, though snowpack can persist at higher elevations above 5,000 feet well into early July. Offroaders should plan their trips accordingly, checking local Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest updates for snow levels and trail conditions before heading out to ensure safe passage.
Access Description
This Forest Service road is subject to seasonal closure and typically opens on June 15. Snowpack can persist at higher elevations above 5,000 feet well into early July. A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent recreation permit may be required for parking or recreating in the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
