Fordyce Creek OHV Trail

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Tahoe National Forest

Fordyce Creek OHV Trail is a 17.7 kilometer lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Soda Springs, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving and is best used from May until October.

Length17.7 kmElevation gain773 mRoute typePoint to point
ohv / off road drivingForestLakeViewsWildlifeRocky
Description
Waypoints (11)
Tips

A premier hard-core trail. First-time users should consider driving this trail during the annual Sierra Trek event sponsored by the California Association of 4WD Clubs in early August. At that time, CA4WDC arranges with Pacific Gas & Electric to restrict water flow in Fordyce Creek to passable levels. Expert spotters and winches are provided at five critical points and no vehicle is ever left behind. Other than during this special period, water levels can drastically rise without warning, leaving vehicles stranded between stream crossings. Your best chance of a low flow rate, other than during the Sierra Trek, is in late September until the first snow fall. Difficult. Tight maneuvering over miles of large, steep and awkwardly positioned boulders. Deep water crossings at low water flows; impassable during high water flows. Mechanical or body damage a frequent occurrence for all but the most aggressive modified vehicles. Rollovers are not uncommon. Minimum 33-inch tire size and one locker almost a necessity. Two lockers with very low gears recommended. Travel in a group with at least one winch-equipped vehicle.

We ran this trail during the Sierra Trek when water levels are reduced. Water levels may be too deep to cross at other times.

Weather
UV Index
Daylight
Reviews (41)
Photos (181)
Recordings (31)
Completed (60)
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Mike Jolley
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Off Road DrivingGreat!

This is a great trail for rock crawling Jeeps. If the Rubicon trail is an 8 on the level of difficulty this is a 9. My Jeep is set up well with 37” tires, air lockers, winch, and full armor. This is one of the more challenging trails in NorCal. It has lots of “hold my beer, watch this” opportunities. On a busy weekend you will see plenty of Jeeps with flat tires, broken axle shafts, and dented fenders. Do not come alone, you will need to help your buddy get through at some points. If you don’t want any dents and scratches don’t come here. I’ve made it up most of the winch hills including winch hill #1. I’ve also snapped an axle shaft on winch hill #5. I’ve come closer to rolling my Jeep here than anywhere else. Great trail!

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Matt Woeck
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Off Road Driving
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Monica Zadworski
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Off Road Driving

This was my 3rd trip out in 4 wheel as a passenger (first 2 trips were to Rubicon). Way harder and I found myself getting out a lot because the trail was so rough. We ripped off a valve stem right before first river crossing but were able to set up the spare. Ended up Camping right by the river for the night and saw 2 jeeps pass us. Very quiet for a holiday weekend. A little too quiet for my taste. If we had been in worse trouble it would have been a long time before we saw help.

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Tony W
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJuly 7, 2020
Off Road DrivingOff trailRocky

Banged my jeep up proper. minimum 35" tires with diff armor and a while bunch of other armor.

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Michelle Chandler
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Off Road Driving

Too rocky for our side by side. Backed out and took the OHV access road and wound up at the river. Perfect ride with kids.

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Anthony Estonilo
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Off Road Driving

Very challenging trail, but you are rewarded by the beautiful views.

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Alex Klim
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went kinda late in a day, finished 6.5mi and returned back to eagles lake Rd. first water crossing was shallow.

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Will Wheelehan
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Hiking

the road gets brutal at parts.

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Tom Blount
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Off Road Driving

Extreme off road rock crawling in incredible scenery. Minimum 35" tires with locking rear differential. Ran it in a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JKUR with 3.5" Metalcloak lift on 35s. Made it up all winch hills except #1 which I took the bypass. Clipped the right rear quarter panel on a rock so I have something to remember the trail by.

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Julian Smallwood
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarSeptember 24, 2018
Off Road Driving

Rad trail, if you are new to rock crawling or don’t have a well built crawler I don’t recommend it. Most of the winch hills have bypasses but the water crossings don’t. I have been thru committee crossing where it was over 6ft deep in some spots and the only reason I made it across is because my jeep floats. I would also recommend 37” tires or bigger, Dana 44s or better with lockers and lots of armor.

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Jared Delarosa
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Off Road Driving

Extremely tough

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AllTrails User
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Off Road Driving

Excellent trail to test your abilities. Water crossings can be deep and swift

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Troy Richmond
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Off Road Driving

not for the feint of heart or shiney rigs

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Mike Bearden
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Off Road Driving

Great trail

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TC Nolan
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Off Road Driving

Well travelled on Saturdays during the summer. Great mix of fire road and technicals. Some beautiful camping near the lake.

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Sean Dinan
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarOctober 25, 2016
Off Road Driving

take a well built 4x4 and care in this trail.. this trail is far more challenging than Rubicon trail.. I love this place.. some good fishing too...

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Joe Castillo
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Backpacking

Awesome trail to hike.

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Kevin Fitzpatrick
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First to Review

Better than the Rubicon and funner

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J Michelle Lowry
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Hiking
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Evan Thomas
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Hiking
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Breanna Rittmann
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Hiking
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Daniel Andersen
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Hiking
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David Leonardo
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Hiking
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Gina Camacho
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Off Road Driving
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Tom Rosa
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Hiking
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LOUIE MORENO
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Hiking
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Dave Jensen
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Hiking
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Grant Maze
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Hiking
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Chris Cloutier
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Off Road Driving
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