overland

Mendocino Backcountry Discovery Trail (California)

OTG Ben

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Please post trail status for the Mendocino BDT here.
Link to Mendocino BDT

Include the Following for all Status Updates

Date:
Current Status:
Additional Details:


Example of a Trail Update for a Route

Date:
4/30/2021

Current Status: Open with some issues

Additional Details: Recent rains have caused the river levels to rise substantially. Buffalo River is approximately 3' deep. Lifted vehicles with larger tires (33" +) may find it difficult and/or dangerous to cross Buffalo River. There's another crossing that's about 30" deep 1/2 mile north of the main crossing. We recommend checking water levels first, but this is typically the alternative crossing point. Aside from water levels, the rest of the trail is running fantastic!
 

OTG Ben

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Date: 4/25/2021

Status: Higher elevations remain closed/inaccessible.

Details: Higher elevations (5,500- 6,000+ ft) remain covered in snow at this time. Expect portions from Hull Mountain and north along M1 to be impassable at this time. Higher elevations around Anthony Peak remain under snow as well. Based on current snow levels, we expect entire route is likely to be drive-able in late May (always check ahead!). The Route section from Upper Lake to Lake Pillsbury is currently open.
 

godzillavsmountain

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May 3, 2021
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I was on M1 on April 23rd and did made it over Hull but there was some snow on the North side and this was before the rain on the 24th. I am planning a trip up there this weekend (May 6th, 7th) but may have to restrict myself to the Snow Mnt/Horse Creek area (again!) Thanks for posting the update on conditions up there Ben.
 

OTG Ben

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Latest report is that it's now possible to get over Hull Mountain without any issues. Given Anthony Peak is about the same height, we expect the entire route is open now, especially since the intel provided was from 2 weeks ago.
 

OTG Ben

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There is a slide on M1 on the way to Howard Lake that occurred during the atmospheric river that hit northern California last week. This is the same place that's suffered from numerous slides in the past. The Go around is to use Espee Ridge (road 23N39), which can be accessed on road M2 just north of Anthony Peak. The orange X is not the location of the actual slide (it's further south), but this indicates you won't be able to get to this point using road M1 from the south.


1635535924552.png
 

dtolnay

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Joined
Oct 30, 2021
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Date: 11/13/2021-11/14/2021
Current Status: The majority of the route was easily passable in a RAV4 (stock aside from all-terrain tires).
Additional Details: The slide on M1 between Mendocino Pass Rd and Howard Lake is still present: 39°50'30"N 123°02'32"W. Photo attached; does not seem like an easy fix! The M4 north of Anthony Peak is muddy with snowmelt and has gullies from water crossing the trail. I bailed out at 39°51'30"N 122°56'52"W but would have been fine with two vehicles or a winch. On everything but M4, a RAV4's 8" ground clearance was plenty -- even 6" would be okay I think. Camped at the Hull Mountain summit. :)

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OTG Ben

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This is the third time in the last 3 years that section on M1 has been blocked by a land slide. probably time the FS looks into doing a total reroute, as I expect this will continue on a seasonal basis.

The detour is to go up through Espee Ridge past Anthony Peak, which is a Bummer because that section of M1 is really pretty.
 

Coffearobusta42

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Mar 19, 2022
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1/15/2022
This was back in January but, I was up the M6 north of the trailhead to Bloody Rock and ran into a big downed tree. Probably been cleared by now.

1648396197129.png
 

Coffearobusta42

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Mar 19, 2022
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Date: 4/5/2022
Current Status: M1 Open from Upper Lake to Hull Mt
Additional Details: Deep snow patches on M1 at higher elevations.


The first is just past the spur road to the summit. According to the folks at Soda Creek store, no one has made it through yet this year.

PXL_20220405_203324816.jpg
 
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Coffearobusta42

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Mar 19, 2022
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Date: 4/8/2022
Current Status: M6/M61 Open from Lake Pillsbury to just past Cushman Lake rd
Additional Details: Deep snow patches on at higher elevations.


The first is just past the road to Cushman Lake, just shy of the M1. According to the folks at Soda Creek store, no one has made it through to Covelo yet this year. Walked past the first two snow drifts and it looked like no yet has come up the other side either. I wasn't sure about my ability to drive through snow like that. Since no one else had tried it yet, I turned around.

The road to Cushman lake also has some snow.

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fong.ell-7476

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Feb 5, 2022
Messages
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Date: 4/22-4/25
Current Status: M1 Open from Upper Lake to about 6000ft on Hull Mountain Road
Additional Details:

This past weekend I went on my first overland adventure ever. We knew due to the weather last week that we would not be able to get too far, but we gave it a shot anyway. We started at Upper Lake and almost got to the top of Hull Mountain before we encountered some pretty deep snow with no signs of anyone attempting the trail yet. I marked where we turned around on the screenshot below (close to 6000ft elevation). Being first timers, on our own, and only in an AWD, we decided not to chance it and turn around. Our trip turned into a very relaxing fishing trip at Lake Pillsbury where we did not catch a thing but still had a great time. We exited through Elk Mountain Road then Eel River Road to Lake Mendocino without any issues.
 

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pwbandy_-8615

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Oct 8, 2021
Messages
6
Location
Folsom, CA
Date Riden: 5/26 and 5/28. Current Status: Open with GREAT road conditions. Additional Deets: Below

On 5/26 the weather was perfect. We rode in from Nice, going through Deer Valley Camp, then up to Lake Pillsbury for the night.... unfortunately, my wingman burned up his clutch trying to get out of the Eel River riverbed and ended up having to end his trip the next morning. After limping his bike out to the 101 via Elk Mountain Road, I hit up the California Crest Trail from Ukiah attempting to get to Fort Bragg, but there was signage for a road closure not far west of Ukiah and I decided to go around on Hwy 20. From there I made it to Usal Beach for the night.

On 5/28, the weather had been less than desirable. It had been dense fog through 95% of Six Rivers BDT, and now on the Mend BDT, the for persisted along with rain and high winds at higher elevations.

Hull Mountain was clear of snow, and was quite the adventure riding over in the adverse weather... can't wait to see what it looks like on a clear day.
 

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bikemerchant

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May 27, 2022
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Date: 6/16

Current Status:
M1 fully open to Eel River. M1 north of there is still closed due to the massive landslide. Massive burn area along FS7.

Additional Details: Everything was passable with a RAV4 with AT tires. A small lift helped. Along M1 there were plenty of sections that were recovering from the burns with live trees. We enjoyed this side of the drive. We then went east on Mendocino Pass Rd because of the slide then south to Keller “Lake”. There, the forest was destroyed with the rare tree surviving. With so many dead trees it was very difficult to find a site to camp. We saw an open campground at 4 and weren’t able to find another until 5:30 or 6.

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OTG Ben

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There is a slide on M1 on the way to Howard Lake that occurred during the atmospheric river that hit northern California last week. This is the same place that's suffered from numerous slides in the past. The Go around is to use Espee Ridge (road 23N39), which can be accessed on road M2 just north of Anthony Peak. The orange X is not the location of the actual slide (it's further south), but this indicates you won't be able to get to this point using road M1 from the south.


View attachment 518

This still applies. See recommended detour above via Espee Ridge.
 

2point5Seconds

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Joined
Jul 15, 2021
Messages
14
Location
Yube City, California
I tried to get to Anthony Peak yesterday. Coming from Yuba City, I went up through Stonyford and Elk Creek. Then cut across 162 heading west. I got to the Valley View Fire Center on Alder Spring Road and ran across some Glenn County Deputies. Ones of them said I wouldn't get passed Plaskett Meadows Campground. He was right. Still a bunch of snow right passed the campground. I may have made it but had no one else with me in case I did get stuck. The campground was clear but they still had alot of cleaning up to do. Decided to turn around and try a different route.

Went down and cut up Forest Road 24N02, but about a mile north the road was washed out. Turned back around and tried some other side trails.

You may be able to try a different route but I think the higher elevation has too much snow. Will head back up late June or early July.

Funny thing is we kept running into the two Glenn County Deputies whenever we'd turn the corner somewhere. They were pretty cool though. They liked my Tundra and thanked my for my Service.
 

OTG Ben

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The forest is definitely a mess at the moment. We camped along the Eel River last weekend and tried to get to the top of Hull. We made it to the lookout area about .5 mile before the intersection of the trail that leads to the summit. Still some ice and snowbanks-- but will probably be passable in the next 5-10 days.

If you go out, bring a chainsaw and extra fuel. This was a harsh winter, with lots of downed trees and washouts.
 

2point5Seconds

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Jul 15, 2021
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Yube City, California
The forest is definitely a mess at the moment. We camped along the Eel River last weekend and tried to get to the top of Hull. We made it to the lookout area about .5 mile before the intersection of the trail that leads to the summit. Still some ice and snowbanks-- but will probably be passable in the next 5-10 days.

If you go out, bring a chainsaw and extra fuel. This was a harsh winter, with lots of downed trees and washouts.

I agree. I found out the hard way to get a chainsaw. After doing some research, and speaking to different small engine repair shops/dealers, I ended up getting a battery powered one from Lowes. The Kobalt 40v works great to take off road.

I may go check out Highway 49 this weekend and see what the area north of Downieville looks like. I'm sure probably the same as Mendocino.
 
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