Tomhead Mountain 
| Length: | 31.0 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easier: 1 Harder: 2 |
| Trailhead Elev: | 890 feet |
| Maximum Elev: | 6147 feet |
| Trailhead: | Lat: 40.22722 Lon: -122.46222 |
| Reader's Rating: |  (8 votes) |
| Nearby Trails: | Colyear Springs Rd. - 12 miles |
Trail Description
My wheeling doesn’t usually lead me to the west of Red Bluff, an area that’s very much unexplored by most around here. The roads to the summit are smooth and 2wd car accessible. There are 31 miles of dirt in order to reach the summit. The first half the ride rolls along the hills and I had fun getting my rally driving skills up to par by getting my ZJ sideways through many of the corners.
Once you reach the foot of the mountain, the trail ascents quickly to 6147 feet in about 11 miles. The drive has many views of the central valley and Mount Lassen on a clear day. On the map I marked the finish at a large tree that had fallen. We did manage to get around it through a narrow passage between some trees but our efforts were futile since the road was gated shortly thereafter. This road leads to a lookout tower which we didn’t have time to hike to. There is also a campground, Tomhead Saddle Campground, near the summit where you can camp up to 14 days for free. There are nice picnic tables, an outhouse and a new horse corral. I didn’t see any water so be prepared. This ridge borders the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness and two foot trails head out of the campground into it.
We took a break at the campground where to had a little fun getting up some boulders and fallen trees in the area. The lookout tower had a sign on the road prior to the gate stating it was open during normal business hours. I presume it’s only manned during summer months when the area gets more use and fire season roles around.
Tomhead Mine is on the summit which I marked on the map. We didn’t find it because we didn’t know its exact location. If any of you visit it, send me some photos and let me know if it’s gated.
The trail is not serious at all as any car with wheels could do this drive. Expect great views because the trees are sparse throughout the whole drive. The camping looks like fun and there is the whole Yolla Bolly area to hike into.
Once you reach the foot of the mountain, the trail ascents quickly to 6147 feet in about 11 miles. The drive has many views of the central valley and Mount Lassen on a clear day. On the map I marked the finish at a large tree that had fallen. We did manage to get around it through a narrow passage between some trees but our efforts were futile since the road was gated shortly thereafter. This road leads to a lookout tower which we didn’t have time to hike to. There is also a campground, Tomhead Saddle Campground, near the summit where you can camp up to 14 days for free. There are nice picnic tables, an outhouse and a new horse corral. I didn’t see any water so be prepared. This ridge borders the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness and two foot trails head out of the campground into it.
We took a break at the campground where to had a little fun getting up some boulders and fallen trees in the area. The lookout tower had a sign on the road prior to the gate stating it was open during normal business hours. I presume it’s only manned during summer months when the area gets more use and fire season roles around.
Tomhead Mine is on the summit which I marked on the map. We didn’t find it because we didn’t know its exact location. If any of you visit it, send me some photos and let me know if it’s gated.
The trail is not serious at all as any car with wheels could do this drive. Expect great views because the trees are sparse throughout the whole drive. The camping looks like fun and there is the whole Yolla Bolly area to hike into.