Rat Trap Ridge 
| Length: | 17.0 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easier: 1 Harder: 3 |
| Trailhead Elev: | 1843 feet |
| Maximum Elev: | 5985 feet |
| Trailhead: | Lat: 40.32833 Lon: -122.84333 |
| Reader's Rating: |  (2 votes) |
| Nearby Trails: |
Trail Description
Most of the trail can be run in 2wd during the dry summer months however I stayed in 4 Lo most of the way simply to provide a smoother ride. It is basically just a rutted road in some areas with a few mild hill climbs that can be somewhat slick in the rainy season. I wouldn’t recommend traversing the trail in the snow unless it is very light and not icy, or you have a very capable rig. For deep snow it would be best to remain on the main roads as to help prevent getting stranded. The trail crosses the main road before reaching the top of the ridge and dropping back down into the camp ground at Rat Trap Gap.
The Rat Trap camp ground is fairly primitive, but it does provide an outhouse. Water is available from Clarence Spring about 4 to 5 miles away on FS 35 just past Stuart’s Gap on the right hand side of the road if you are headed west. There is a hiking trail head at both Rat Trap Gap and Stuart’s Gap that will take you to North Yolly Bolly Lake where the fishing is supposed to be really good, but I have not yet had the chance to fish there.
Other places to explore would be the upper roads between Rat Trap and Tomhead Lookout, where there are many old skid trails that are now 4wd roads leading to the top of old clear cuts. Some are easier than other while some create a great challenge and will really get your pucker factor going on some of the side hills involved.
Directions
The beginning of the trail over the top of Rat Trap Ridge begins at Tedoc Gap approximately 11.5 miles from Highway 36 west along Tedoc Rd. 37 miles out of Red Bluff. Also along this road is Patty Mocus lookout. The road to the lookout is gated, but you can walk the remaining distance and are rewarded with some great views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Finding the trail isn’t too difficult even though it is not marked on any of the maps I have looked at. As you arrive at Tedoc Gap there are 5 possible routes. The trail is the one to your right going up the hill.
Nearby Town
Red Bluff and then Platina
Season
Spring after snowmelt through fall until first snowfall.
The Rat Trap camp ground is fairly primitive, but it does provide an outhouse. Water is available from Clarence Spring about 4 to 5 miles away on FS 35 just past Stuart’s Gap on the right hand side of the road if you are headed west. There is a hiking trail head at both Rat Trap Gap and Stuart’s Gap that will take you to North Yolly Bolly Lake where the fishing is supposed to be really good, but I have not yet had the chance to fish there.
Other places to explore would be the upper roads between Rat Trap and Tomhead Lookout, where there are many old skid trails that are now 4wd roads leading to the top of old clear cuts. Some are easier than other while some create a great challenge and will really get your pucker factor going on some of the side hills involved.
Directions
The beginning of the trail over the top of Rat Trap Ridge begins at Tedoc Gap approximately 11.5 miles from Highway 36 west along Tedoc Rd. 37 miles out of Red Bluff. Also along this road is Patty Mocus lookout. The road to the lookout is gated, but you can walk the remaining distance and are rewarded with some great views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Finding the trail isn’t too difficult even though it is not marked on any of the maps I have looked at. As you arrive at Tedoc Gap there are 5 possible routes. The trail is the one to your right going up the hill.
Nearby Town
Red Bluff and then Platina
Season
Spring after snowmelt through fall until first snowfall.