Ride and Rally - Trails

Trail Descriptions

1. Thunderbolt Mtn./467
Trail rating	2* when dry, up to 3½* with snowy sections Rating legend
Description: This trail goes from the Warm Lake area up and over the pass just below Thunderbolt Mtn. and ending at the back end of the Trout Creek Campground. The huge rocks at midpoint/summit (7600') may entertain some while their spouses enjoy the view of the Warm Lake area below with panoramas of the Cascade valley and West Mountain way off in the distance. Throw in 4 nice creek crossings, and a few beautiful high meadows and you're forest wheelin'. Distance: - Approx. 10 miles long - add 18 miles road/highway when run as a loop. 18 miles from Yellowpine.

2. Trapper Flats/Tungsten Mine/440
Trail rating	3* dry, 5* with snow Rating legend
Description: This trail rises quickly from its start off Johnson Creek up the Old Thunder Mtn. trail, turning onto the Trapper Flats trail and proceeding up and through very rough, rocky sections with numerous downed timber areas and 2 creek crossings. Numerous squeezes between cut trees and a few switchbacks will keep the drivers attention. Great views on top of the ridge at 9000' just before a steep descent on loose rock into the Tungsten Mine area, which presents an other-worldly orange landscape contrasting with the green forest. Now turn around and run it all backwards. Distance: Approx. 12½ miles each way equals 25 total miles of trail. 12½ miles from Yellowpine.

3. Cinnabar Mine/374
Trail rating	2½ * dry, up to 4½ * with snow/drifts Rating legend
Description: This scenic trail will delight the history aficionados with a visit to the old and very remote ghost town of Cinnabar. It starts with an easy drive up a formative tributary of the "River of No Return", and your passenger might understand better where the name comes from as they admire the occasional 200' sheer drop-offs that plunge from the narrow, winding road directly into the stream below. The loop trail begins to get sweet soon after the deep stream crossing Sugar Creek when the forest opens up into the bowl that nestles the old Cinnabar ghost town. Certainly, spend a little time looking over the abundant old cabins, sheds, mess hall, mill, and even a large old hotel, but not too long, as you may need the time to ascend the switchbacks going straight up the mountain to Cinnabar summit approx. 2500' above. From there it's all downhill with a quick stop to look over the Stibnite Mine's Glory Hole. Distance: -Loop is approx. 14 miles. Sugar Creek to Yellowpine 8 miles.

4. Meadow Creek Lookout/375/640
Trail rating	1½ * dry, 3½ * with snow Rating legend
Description: This trail is all about the views so bring you binoculars. You'll skirt the Frank Church Wilderness and look down over Riordan Lake on your way up to the Lookout on Riordan Peak at 8844'. From this vantage you can see Thunder Mountain directly over Monumental Summit to the east/northeast, Chilcoot peak directly to the south, and even 9722' Big Baldy Lookout to the east/southeast. On the return we will stop to look at the Stibnite area and the 330' deep Glory Hole. Distance: Trail is approx. 24 miles each way. Stibnite will add 2 miles.

5. Golden Gate Hill/Yellowpine Overlook/456
Trail rating	3* dry, 5* with snow Rating legend
Description: This one is a gem that definitely fits the description of 4wd trail. It rises 1500' in the first two miles by virtue of a series of switchbacks traversing loose rocky and steep sections, to the top of Antimony Ridge. From there we squeeze by a few big logs, circle the mountain, and end up at 6250' looking directly down upon the big metropolis of Yellowpine below. Distance: Only 3¾ miles each way = 7½ total miles. Trailhead is 3 miles from Yellowpine.

6. Quartz Creek/067
Trail rating	3* dry, 4+* with snow Rating legend
Description: Right out the back of our camp area, its path crosses the bridge over the river just behind the Alpine Village and proceeds up the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon for a short distance before turning north up Quartz Creek. Close proximity to the river may make for some nervous moments with heavy spring run-offs; can you say "splish-splash"? Definitely less-traveled, expect a few medium rocks to climb over while creekside, before the road climbs steeply and steadily, traversing a few rolled logs and quickly deepening snow. Views near the top allow a vista overlooking miles of the Salmon River's tributaries. Now trade sides with your passenger as we go out the same way we came. Distance: Approx. 7 miles each way = 14 miles round trip. Trailhead is 3 miles from Yellowpine.