Buddy and I just came back from a really cool 2-day trip on the Hell Hole trail. Been reading up about this trail for a while and finally were able to make it happen! In my opinion and experience, this was a really tough trail. It will really test the limits of you and your rig. Hell Hole trail runs along the north side of Hell Hole reservoir and ends at the shores of the lake. It is seriously out in the middle of nowhere. After leaving Foresthill we didn't see any cars on the road the entire time. If you get in trouble out here, you're screwed. It was eerily silent the whole time we were there. My book describes the trail as:
And they weren't kidding! Trail is only 4 miles long but challenging. Trail is very narrow and you need to come out the same way you went in. Going in is downhill. Coming out is uphill.
After what seemed like being on the road for hours we finally came upon French Meadows reservoir. This has been an extremely dry year in CA. You can see what the lack of rain has done to our reservoirs.
About 15 miles more and finally reached the Hell Hole trailhead! There's an abandoned forest ranger station right at the start of the trail. Looks like nobody's been in there for years. About a 1/2 mile into the trail you're greeted with the official sign. "Jeep trail"? We'll show them...
Hell Hole reservoir looked even worse than French Meadows. Drained down to a puddle. The 4x4 trail dumps you wayyyy out in the back where all you see is dirt.
2 miles in is where you come across the first real challenge(s). A series of downhill rock gardens that never seem to end.
Rock sliders are important
This trail will make your truck flex until it can flex no more
A long drive to a short, but terrific hardcore trail. Ends at a very secluded spot along the shores of little-used but impressive, Hell Hole Reservoir. Difficult. Narrow and steep with challenging rock ledges. Not for stock vehicles. High ground clearance, large tires and at least one locker recommended. Help is a long way off. Don't go alone.
And they weren't kidding! Trail is only 4 miles long but challenging. Trail is very narrow and you need to come out the same way you went in. Going in is downhill. Coming out is uphill.
After what seemed like being on the road for hours we finally came upon French Meadows reservoir. This has been an extremely dry year in CA. You can see what the lack of rain has done to our reservoirs.
About 15 miles more and finally reached the Hell Hole trailhead! There's an abandoned forest ranger station right at the start of the trail. Looks like nobody's been in there for years. About a 1/2 mile into the trail you're greeted with the official sign. "Jeep trail"? We'll show them...
Hell Hole reservoir looked even worse than French Meadows. Drained down to a puddle. The 4x4 trail dumps you wayyyy out in the back where all you see is dirt.
2 miles in is where you come across the first real challenge(s). A series of downhill rock gardens that never seem to end.
Rock sliders are important
This trail will make your truck flex until it can flex no more
Last edited: