North Ponderosa 
| Length: | 8.0 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easier: 2 Harder: 5 |
| Trailhead Elev: | 3152 feet |
| Maximum Elev: | 3207 feet |
| Trailhead: | Lat: 40.42028 Lon: -121.47778 |
| Reader's Rating: |  (3 votes) |
| Nearby Trails: | Forest Service Road 17 - 9 miles Peligreen Jeep Trail - 20 miles |
Trail Description
Ponderosa is really a unique trail in that it was cut out of the side of a cliff leaving you with great views and interesting terrain. What originally led me there was seeing this road from the other side of the canyon on Hwy 36 which heads to Lassen. I originally took this trip in a rented Jeep Liberty (KJ) and found it difficult at times. The issues I had were ground clearence problems in the front and street tires. I had to carefully pick my routes over the ruts and shelfs. Much of the trail was a level 1 with level 4 obstacles near the end. The trail sort of ends with a gate which we later found out was private property. If you look at the map, you'll see a red hand-labeled trail which crosses Paynes Creek and connects back up with a paved road and back to Hwy 36 on the other side. I drew that because at the gate, a less traveled trail forks off of this trail and I estimate it follows that path. I didn't take the KJ down it because it had heavy brush and I didn't want to damage the rental.
Shawn went back there in his XJ with Jeremy and they had little trouble getting through the terrain with his 3.5" lift. He was able to get through with just 2wd. They had little intrepedation when they reached the fork and went right through the brush. Unfortunately due to time they weren't able to reach Paynes Creek and presumably the other side.
Looking at a USGS map, a trail is labled on the south side of Paynes creek (the opposite side that we were on) that forks off the main road before another gate keeping people out of that private property from that side. The trail is labled to the river and just stops. That's why we presume you can make it through. The river may pose a problem. If anyone heads down there, please check this out and drop us a note here so we can fill in the blank.
Directions
To find the trail head, take Hwy 36 from Red Bluff, CA. Turn left towards Manton. Once in Manton, turn right on Forward Rd and then right on Ponderosa Way, the trailhead.
Shawn went back there in his XJ with Jeremy and they had little trouble getting through the terrain with his 3.5" lift. He was able to get through with just 2wd. They had little intrepedation when they reached the fork and went right through the brush. Unfortunately due to time they weren't able to reach Paynes Creek and presumably the other side.
Looking at a USGS map, a trail is labled on the south side of Paynes creek (the opposite side that we were on) that forks off the main road before another gate keeping people out of that private property from that side. The trail is labled to the river and just stops. That's why we presume you can make it through. The river may pose a problem. If anyone heads down there, please check this out and drop us a note here so we can fill in the blank.
Directions
To find the trail head, take Hwy 36 from Red Bluff, CA. Turn left towards Manton. Once in Manton, turn right on Forward Rd and then right on Ponderosa Way, the trailhead.