Trail Overview

Roaring ridge lookout is an in-and-out trail leading to a scenic lookout with a nearly 360deg-view of the surrounding area. Half way up the trail, you get a panoramic view of Lost Lake. This is a great spot if you're looking to just get out and camp overnight with a beautiful view. The road is a mostly gravel with some patches of dirt along the way. There is a high chance of getting some pin-stripes along the way since this is a very low traffic trail, but on the plus side, you will probably have the lookout to yourself. Towards the end of the trail, there are two sections that are rutted/eroded from water run off, but they are not that big and should be relatively easy to go over. Just pick your line carefully and be safe. Once you reach the top, the lookout opens up to a wide ridge with room for four or five cars.

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Difficulty

95% of the trail is easy, but there are two sections toward the end that are rutted/eroded from water run off. Nothing too serious but worth noting. Pin-stripes may occur depending on vehicle width.

Technical Rating

H J

Dec 13, 2025

2009 Nissan Xterra

Open

NormalSnow/Ice

Scenic trail, great views. The snow line was surprisingly high up in elevation, but once I did reach snow it was more of a thin layer very compacted, super slick and icy. I think the recent heavy rains caused this. Prior to reaching the snow the trail is fairly easy going, there are turn around spots but there can be a ways in between them.

Dave P

Aug 15, 2025

2024 Ford Ranger

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Today I checked-out a number of "roads" in the Stampede Pass area. Thought I would go up to Roaring Ridge Lookout since by the name it probably has a good view. OnX shows it as a forest road. I don't know the appropriate rating number but I definitely needed 4x4 Low Range, good all-terrain tires, and decent ground clearance. I stopped and turned around halfway to the lookout because the trail looked to get narrower with trees and bushes fairly tight. My truck is under a year old and I don't want a bunch of scratches. Other than the tight bushes my stock Ranger with KO2's did fine.

Tyler Wilcox

Jul 23, 2025

2006 Lexus LX

Open

NormalDustyRough/Deteriorated

easy trail for my stock lx, the rut at the end is pretty gnarly wasn’t to bad to just took it wide and it was no problem. Decent likely hood for pinstriping the further you go up. But beautiful views the whole way up. (I think I saw your taco right when I finished the trail)

Tyler Lawrence

Jul 23, 2025

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Rough but pretty easy for 95% of the trail. One rut towards the end took a bit more thought but my nearly stock Tacoma handled it all easily. Very narrow at times so lots of pinstripes are guaranteed. Awesome views throughout.

Mitchell Bengston

Jul 12, 2025

2020 Jeep Gladiator

Open

DustyRough/DeterioratedWashboard

Traci McGowan

Jul 08, 2025

2004 GMC Sierra

Open

DustyRough/DeterioratedWashboard

Road is narrow and rough. Lots of new pinstripes. Beautiful views at the top. Had to work to get our rig level.

Thomas Carlisle

May 30, 2025

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Got stopped by snow at 4400 ft elevation. Couple of spots with snow along the way that we worked our way through beforehand

Ray Gills

May 23, 2025

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Deep snow here and there on the road, we gave up after pushing past 3500 elev.

Matthew Murvin

Apr 18, 2025

Temporarily Closed

Weather Event

8ft snow pile blocking entrance. Put it at about mid-May to open

Jeffrey Wilson

Oct 12, 2024

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Definitely was not rated a 2/10, other apps call it a 4/10. But once I was committed up the trail there was no turning back. Had some good size ruts the last .25 mile of the trail. Kinda hard to teeter 3 wheels in a 10,000 lb rig but she made it. Line-x ultra paint saved the day from pinstripes. All in all it was fun. Just will chose a different vehicle next time.

nic mirse

Oct 06, 2024

Open

DustyRough/Deteriorated

Bri K

Sep 02, 2024

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

Open

DustyRough/Deteriorated

Did this in my stock Crosstrek Wilderness with some good wheel placement, a steady foot and x-mode. Lots of loose rocks. A couple big washouts, one in particular near the last quarter mile or so actually had me teeter totter on 2 wheels to clear on the way down. With 9.3" of clearance there were definitely a few obstacles I could have high centered. Would likely be very easy in a Jeep.

Priyal D

Sep 01, 2024

2023 Toyota 4Runner

Open

NormalDusty

Just me and a lot of pinstripes. Camped overnight at the overlook. Drive a 4Runner TRD Offroad, which definitely let this trail be easy. Washout towards the last 1/4 mile that was a bit funky but not an issue for 4x4 high clearance vehicles. The lookout at the top is really nice with lots of space for a few cars to camp. Some spots to camp on the way up too (I think 2 spots). The main lake was basically empty which I wasn’t expecting, but I think Lost Lake is fine. If you find a 64GB SD card up there, that’s mine lol.

Jess Caddick

Jul 26, 2024

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Tripp Howard

Jul 07, 2024

Open

Dusty

Beautiful views at the top. Pretty narrow road and definitely got some new pinstripes. A few washout near the top gave me pause, but I took my time and picked good routes and had no problem. Stopped by Lost Lake for a few minutes on the way out.