Modoc National Forest

Three hours from Reno, Nevada, and Redding, California, the Modoc National Forest is perhaps the most remote of all California national forests. The Warner Range, a spur of the southern Cascades, is the recreational center for the forest and trails—the Highgrade and the North Star Basin—that make for wonderful introductions to this largely undiscovered region.

Highgrade National Recreation Trail
Distance: 5.5 Miles
Type: Single-track and 4WD
Difficulty: Moderate

Getting There: I-5 to Redding, then Hwy. 299 E to Alturas, then Cedarville. From Cedarville travel north on County Road 1, 20.5 miles to the Fandango Pass, Forest Road 9 intersection. Travel west and north on Forest Road 9 for 10 miles to Forest Road 47N72, the Del Pratt Spring Road. Travel east and north on Forest Road 47N72 5.5 miles to the Highgrade National Recreation Trail South trailhead.

About the ride: The trail runs over a saddle on the west side of 8,250-foot-high Mt. Vida, which is the second highest peak in the North Warner Mountains. The trail passes through stands of white fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole and western white pine and areas of open sagebrush. The Highgrade Trail offers outstanding vistas of Goose Lake to the west and Surprise Valley to the east from various points along the trail. Much of the Highgrade Trail follows 4WD dirt roads. These roads receive only light motorized use, except during deer season. From the south end, only, foot or bicycle use can access the trail as the first 0.5 miles is single-tread trail. Once on top of the ridge, the trail changes to double-tread road that can be used by 4WD vehicles that have accessed the trail from the north.

The gradient is mostly gentle. Maximum pitches are less than 10 percent. Historic mining cabins, ruins and test pits, all dating from the Highgrade gold rush, are scattered throughout the vicinity of the trail.

North Star Basin Trail
Distance: 2.5 Miles
Type: Maintained dirt
Difficulty: Beginner

Getting There: I-5 to Redding, then Hwy. 299 E to Alturas, then Cedarville. From Cedarville travel north on County Road 1, 25.5 miles to Fort Bidwell. From the north end of Fort Bidwell, continue on Forest and County Road 2, 5.5 miles to the Star Basin, Larry Flat access road. Bike travel can begin at this point or travel west and north one mile to the Y and begin travel at the north, right leg.

About the ride: This 4WD road accesses beautiful North Star Basin in the North Warner Mountains. This road receives only light motorized use, except during deer season. The trail gradient is mostly gentle, averaging less than 10 percent. The road surface changes from dirt to cobbles at various locations. Historic mining cabins, ruins and test pits, all dating from the Highgrade gold rush, are scattered throughout the vicinity of the trail.