Move on to Trail Finder: Six Rivers National Forest

Happy Camp Campground Ride
Distance: 19.5 Miles
Type: Maintained dirt
Difficulty: Advanced

Getting There: Hwy. 10 1 N to Arcata then Hwy. 299 E to Hawkins , Bar or 1-5 to Redding then Hwy. 299 W through Weaverville to Hawkins Bar. From Hawkins Bar, take Denny Road for approximately 1.5 miles to Wallen Ranch Road (left). Wallen Ranch Road turns into Forest Service Route 4 after 1/2 mile. Continue on Forest Service Route 4 for approximately 8 miles to junction with 7NO4 (right). Continue on 7NO4 for 2 miles to junction with 6N 10 (right). Continue on 6NIO for 2 1/2 miles to junction with 6N24 (left). Continue on 6N24 for 1/4 mile to Happy Camp Campground.

About the ride: This difficult ride begins with a 681 foot drop in 2 miles into the Cedar Creek drainage. After a level ride of 3 1/4 miles you will cross Cedar Creek and begin the climb to Groves Prairie. In 2 3/4 miles and a gain in elevation of 590 feet, you will arrive at the turn-off to Groves Prairie, approximately 8 miles from Happy Camp Campground. Groves Prairie is a natural meadow surrounded by huge, majestic fir trees and carpets of ferns.

At Groves Prairie you will also find picnic tables and short, easy loop trails for hiking or mountain biking. It's a nice place to have a snack or just enjoy the scenery. From the Groves Prairie turn-off there is a 4 3/4 mile climb to the highest point on the trip, 4,700 feet above sea level. Next comes a long, steep downhill drop of 1,273 feet in 3 miles. Be very careful and watch for unexpected traffic. Last is the 3 3/4 mile climb back to Happy Camp Campground.

Getting There: Hwy. 101 N to Arcata then Hwy. 299 E to Hawkins Bar or 1-5 to Redding then Hwy. 299 W through Weaverville to Hawkins Bar. From Hawkins Bar, take Denny Road for approximately 1.5 miles to Wallen Ranch Road (left). Wallen Ranch Road turns into Forest Service Route 4 after 1/2 mile. Continue on forest Service Route 4 for approximately 8 miles to junction with 7NO4 (right). Continue on 7N04 for 2 miles to junction with 6NIO (right). Continue on 6N10 for 2 1/2 miles to junction with 6N24 (left). Continue on 6N24 for 1/4 mile to Happy Camp Campground.

About the ride: This intermediate ride a climb of 295 feet in 1 mile. Next is a drop of 365 feet in 1 1/4 miles, followed by a climb of 360 feet in 1 1/2 mile. After a short drop of 180 feet in 3/4 mile comes the biggest hill of the ride, a 445 foot climb in 1 1/4 miles.

Then it is a 3/4 mile coast back to Happy Camp Campground. While you are huffing and puffing up the last hill, take a break to look east across the New River drainage into the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

Getting There: Hwy. 101 to Crescent City, then Hwy. 199 to Gasquet. From the Smith River National Recreation Headquarters at the Gasquet Ranger Station, travel west on Highway 199 for about 0.3 miles to Middle Fork Gasquet Road and turn right. Travel on this road for about 0. 1 miles to a fork in the road and veer to the right. Travel on this road for about 0.5 miles to a road sign marked"Old Gasquet Toll Road" and turn right. The pavement ends and the gravel road begins after 1/4 mile. Travel for about 11.9 miles and cross a bridge, keeping to the right, travel about 3.4 miles to the junction of Highway 199 and Patrick Creek Road. Complete the loop by biking 7.8 miles west on Highway 199 to the Smith River NRA headquarters. Although this portion of the highway has wide shoulders, please travel with caution. This highway portion of the loop can be avoided by either returning on the same route or by planning a shuttle. This loop can also be traveled in the reverse direction.

About the ride: This gravel road which had its origins as a historic Toll Road that linked Crescent City, CA with Waldo, OR in 1887, is a perfect double track route, on a lightly traveled road. The road parallels a portion of Highway 199 (the Smith River National Scenic Byway). There are countless scenic vistas of the Smith River and nearby Siskiyou Mountains including one called Danger Point, so named for the stage coach. that met here. A number of small creeks intersect the route as they travel downward to the Smith River. The route joins Highway 199 at the Historic Patrick Creek Lodge and Restaurant.

Getting there: Hwy. 101 N to Arcata, then 299 E or 1-5 to Redding, then 299 W. From Willow Creek, CA, (Highway 299), follow signs toward Big Foot Country Club but do not turn into Big Foot Avenue. Continue straight following main road past all dwellings, cross Cedar Creek and continue following main road to brown Forest Service sign indicating direction to Horse Linto Campground. Park at wide spot in the road at the junction.

About the ride: This ride starts where the 8NO3 road (10N02 on map) and the paved road (Route 4 on Forest Service maps) up Waterman Ridge intersect. Head up the paving for a very tough 3/10 mile ascent. Turn left on the dirt road with uprooted tree stumps (as you ascend this would be the second possible left turn). After a few switchbacks, this trail will level off onto an old logging bay. Continue to climb and stay on the trail that veers to the left. After about 3/4 of a mile more of climbing, this trail will hook up with a paved road. Ride through the old logging bay to the pavement and head downhill for a swift 1.4 mile descent back to where you started. Now try this loop going counterclockwise for a great off-road downhill.

Getting there: Hwy. 101 N. to Portola then East on Hwy. 36. From the Mad River Ranger Station, travel cast on Hwy. 36 (approximately 2 miles) to the Ruth Lake turn off on Trinity County road 501, turn right. Follow county road 501 approximately 9 miles to the Ruth Lake Dam, turn right and cross over the dam. You are now at the start of Forest Service Road I S06. Parking is permitted along road I S06 for your convenience.

About the ride: The ride begins at the Ruth Lake Dam and continues South along the west side of Ruth Lake on Forest Service Road I S06. I S06 is 2 2WD gravel road with excellent Vista viewing of Ruth Lake and the surrounding countryside. The ride continues for 8 miles before connecting with Trinity County Road 502. Bald Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon and Red Tail Hawks are known to frequent this area. Special designated wildlife viewing areas are located along this route. The ride is considered easy to moderate with gently rolling, gradual sloping grades at an elevation ranging from 2680 to 3120 feet through a diverse forest setting. Fee campgrounds are located on the cast side of the reservoir.

Getting There: Hwy. 101 N to Arcata then Hwy. 299 E or 1-5 to Redding then Hwy. 299 W From Willow Creek, CA (Highway 299), follow signs toward Big Foot Country Club but do not turn into Big Foot Avenue. Continue straight following main road put all dwellings, cross Cedar Creek and continue on main road to brown Forest Service sign indicating direction to Horse Linto Campground. Go straight onto 8NO3 and continue to Horse Linto Campground.

About the Ride: This ride is for the serious cross country mountain biking enthusiast. From Horse Linto Campground ascend 1/10 of a mile and take the road to the right (7N30) that says Groves Prairie. Cross the cement bridge (and pass Horse Linto Interpretive Trails) and continue to climb. After a 34 mile steep grunt the trail begins to level off and will turn into broken pavement. Mile markers will be present in the form of spray-painted numbers on the road. Shortly after mile marker 8 you will come to a fork in the road. Take the broken asphalt road that is on the left and downhill. After a mile or so you will pass a Sign that reads Dead End/Horse Linto Creek. Don't panic, that sign is for four wheel drive vehicles, you are on the right track. Now you will find out how this one got its name. In 3 miles you will cross 3-4 creeks (plan on getting wet) and have to work your way through some brush. Most of the trail is ridable. Watch out for poison oak growing by the sides of the creeks. After your 3rd or 4th crossing (depending on the time of year you do the ride), you will come out on an old logging road. Stay on the most worn trail for a 2-3 mile gradual climb. This will top out on road 8NO3. Turn to the left for the reward, a 10+ mile downhill into Horse Linto Campground. If you like, you can hook up with 10NOK (7 miles downhill and a right turn) and do the downhill pan of the Tish Tang Loop to finish this great ride.

Getting There: Hwy. 101 N to Arcata, then 299 E or 1-5 to Redding, then 299 W From Willow Creek, CA (Highway 299), follow signs toward Big Foot Country Club but do not turn into Big Foot Avenue. Continue straight following main road past all dwellings, cross Coon Creek and continue on main road to brown Forest Service sign indicating direction to Horse Linto Campground. Go straight onto 8N03 and continue to Horse Linto Campground.

About the ride: Start this ride at Horse Linto Campground, ascend up Tish Tang a Tang Ridge toward Sign Board Gap for 3 miles (road 8NO3). Here you will see a trail to the left (8NO3K). Take this turn-off for a fun and steep 2 mile downhill. Watch for rocks hiding under leaves and go around the downed trees to continue with this trail on the other side. This trail will hook up with 8NO3 about 1/10 mile above Horse Linto Campground.

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