Trail Overview
Westside Higgins is a single-lane gravel road that provides access to several established dispersed campsites in the Higgins Lake area. The road surface is moderately rough, with rocky sections mixed throughout the route. At approximately mile 3.7, a gate marked as temporarily closed for a mining operation is present, though it was open at the time of mapping. Around mile 4.0, the road is washed out and partially blocked by jersey barriers. The washout is passable only by narrow, high-clearance vehicles capable of navigating the restricted opening. The washout features large, loose river rock, a creek crossing, and a climb down loose sediment. Beyond the washout, the road continues to a small turnaround before ending at additional jersey barriers where the route formerly continued. Although legally accessible to full-size vehicles, they will likely not be able to navigate the washout without body damage. Westside Higgins is open May 1st to November 30th.
Difficulty
Westside Higgins starts as a relatively straightforward gravel road but becomes significantly more difficult at the washout near mile 4.0. Jersey barriers restrict the washout, requiring a narrow vehicle, high clearance, and careful tire placement to pass safely without body damage. A minimum tire size of approximately 33 inches is recommended, along with recovery equipment and traction aids. A spotter is strongly recommended when navigating the washout. The remainder of the route is moderately rough but does not present major technical challenges beyond the washout. As with most trails in the area, bringing a chainsaw or equipment to clear fallen trees is recommended.
