Horse Ridge Lookout Rd, NorCal
Horse Ridge Lookout Rd is a hidden gem of a motorcycle route tucked away in Northern California at the South Fork Mountain Summit on Highway 36. Officially designated as NF 23, this short spur begins on the south side of the South Fork Mountain Summit along our much loved Highway 36.
Spanning 6.5 miles before the pavement turns to gravel, this one-lane fire road climbs steadily to an elevation of roughly 6,000 feet and then the pavement just ends. Dual sports can continue the ride to Ruth Lake, but for those of us on street tires, this is our turn around point.
The road itself is remote and utterly unknown, consisting of a thin layer of worn, potholed, and occasionally dirty chip-seal pavement. Its curves are generally gentle, tracing right up the spine of the ridgeline without any dramatic hairpins.
The true reward of navigating this path is the incredible sense of stillness at the end of the pavement. A past wildfire opened up the dense forest canopy, revealing unhindered, panoramic vistas of the Ruth Valley and the distant wilderness below.
After shutting off your engine at the terminus of this dead end, you are treated to total, uninterrupted mountain top silence. For those looking to camp or extend the trek, primitive options like the Pickett Peak Campground sit nearby.
Why ride a dead end road in the middle of nowhere that doesn’t go anywhere? If you follow these daily posts, you probably already know the answer to that.
Comments