NW Nomad

Nothing that requires 4 wheel drive or experience, lots of bicycles, UTV’s and border patrol traffic, the cycling clubs seem to think they own the trails and won’t let anyone pass, even border patrol had to make the share the road.

Fun road, heads up for cycling clubs, border patrol and postal carriers

Just a few steep and loose sections others fine in 2wd, cool views

Very easy road, I wouldn't consider it a trail by any means, Subaru and Prius drivers can rejoice all the way up and find plenty of places to camp that have epic views. Too bad literally none of the really good trails and wheeling loops are listed on here.

Great full day if you tie it in with a loop back into the basin, don't forget to stop at the bluebird mine about halfway to Dupont. The UTV's are out in droves and they haul ass so just be wary of blind corners. Seems nearly all the guys I passed were beer in hand and tunes blazing so just be ready, does make it a bit sporting when trying to pass each other on the narrow shelves since they don't obey trail etiquette or right of way.

Nothing hard or challenging about this segment but the creek crossing right in town, if there was any weather, it could rise significantly quickly and possibly trapping you on the east side of the basin. Be aware of the UTV traffic since it is so close to all the RV parks. The small offshoot trails marked via forest service markers are not roads but small camp sites just off the beaten path so dont feel you have to explore them as they just peter out in a few hundred yards. Save yourself from the pinstripes on behalf of my jeep.

if you come up chicken creek and come down ditches it makes a nice loop, it is very doable when wet just not in a car or stock rig by any means as some of the "puddles" can get over 4 feet deep if there isn't a go-around. Be sure and carry a saw since it is a very heavily wooded area and blow downs happen constantly.

Gotta give this little trail some cred because it delivers especially in the autumn as the colors change. If you are planning on hitting the notch just be ready to spend a good part of the day since the road is pretty rocky and the climb is a 4 low climb to keep your temps cool and not overheat when climbing. We passed a couple TJ's. and YJ's that were boiling over because they weren't in low range. There is only one place on the shelf road for 2 rigs to pass so stage up at the bottom while you can see those coming down instead of creating a pile up. The road is blocked at the top since the other side of the pass has been washed out for some time but the views are spectacular.

I think it is much easier and scenic to climb chicken creek and descend down ditches as it makes a nice loop. trail rating is a bit overzealous as it can be done in a 2 wheel drive car if not wet. The mud and the puddles are the only things anyone should be concerned by since the mud is more of a tread filling clay and some of the puddles can be 4 foot deep if there isnt a go-around. If you can see 5th wheels and travel trailers all the way up both sides of chicken and ditches it isnt a moderate rating by any means.