Trail Map of Fordyce Creek 4x4 Trail, California

Difficult: 12.2 miles, Full day

Other Information: Dog Friendly

Overview: : A premier hard-core trail. First-time users should consider driving this trail during the annual Sierra Trek event sponsored by the California Association of 4WD Clubs in early August. At that time, CA4WDC arranges with Pacific Gas & Electric to restrict water flow in Fordyce Creek to passable levels. Expert spotters and winches are provided at five critical points and no vehicle is ever left behind. Other than during this special period, water levels can drastically rise without warning, leaving vehicles stranded between stream crossings. Your best chance of a low flow rate, other than during the Sierra Trek, is in late September until the first snow fall.

Rating:

Difficult. Tight maneuvering over miles of large, steep and awkwardly positioned boulders. Deep water crossings at low water flows; impassable during high water flows. Mechanical or body damage a frequent occurrence for all but the most aggressive modified vehicles. Rollovers are not uncommon. Minimum 33-inch tire size and one locker almost a necessity. Two lockers with very low gears recommended. Travel in a group with at least one winch-equipped vehicle.

This trail is one of 75 trails from the book, Guide to Northern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, by Charles Wells, and is available at www.funtreks.com.

Tips: We ran this trail during the Sierra Trek when water levels are reduced. Water levels may be too deep to cross at other times.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php)