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[pics & vid] Bald Mountain OHV Trails – Gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains! [pics & vid] Bald Mountain OHV Trails – Gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains!
GREAT JEEPING TRAILS, ROCKS AND SIERRA SCENERY  Considered the “Gateway to the Sierra’s” as this is in the middle of the state with some... [pics & vid] Bald Mountain OHV Trails – Gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains!

GREAT JEEPING TRAILS, ROCKS AND SIERRA SCENERY 

Considered the “Gateway to the Sierra’s” as this is in the middle of the state with some of the best known trails and recreation in the state.

Map to get there

Bald Mountain OHV Area is just northeast of Fresno near Shaver California.  To get there, you take Hwy 168 north into the Sierra Mountains to the town of Shaver Lake.  As you enter Shaver you can take Dinkey Creek Road to the East to Rock Creek Road (9S09) or continue through Shaver Lake to the Tamarack Ridge Sno-Park and follow 9S09 to the Bald Mountain trail head.  Both routes get you to the trail head.  Tamarack route will allow you to take the northern route up to the lookout tower.   

Both routes have plenty of areas to play on harder obstacles along the way.  Obstacles along the way are called “Hollywood, Bow-Tie, Shale Hill, Bowe, Posi Hill, Big Shot, V-Rock” and a few others that people have their own names for. 

Ed Moore teaching his son Mike how to drive on the trails

The forest service Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is pretty good and lists all the trails that are open.  It also lists the open dates for other trails in the area.  You do need to check with the Forest Service on dates for trails to open, as they can move depending on weather and trail conditions.   

 Trails 

Bald Mountain OHV area has trails for all skill levels and built or stock Jeeps.  I have usually entered from the South entrance on 26E219 route.  This is also the only entrance that is open during the winter.  From here you can follow the main trail that is well marked and well used up to the Bald Mountain Tower.  Along this route you can stop to play at “V-Notch” or “Hollywood, Posi” or any other obstacle along the way.  There are plenty of obstacles along the route to the Bald Mountain Lookout Tower to play on. 

John Herrick of CRAWL Magazine at Moonlight Madness in 2017

Events at Bald Mountain 

Cal4Wheel has their annual High Sierra Poker Run during the Labor Day weekend, and their base camp is at the location everyone calls Bald Base Camp.  It is a large open area near the Bald trail heads. 

Also, from base camp you can take the trail down to the creek and work your way up to the Bald trails on 26E328.  This trail was finished and connected to the Bald trails by the Clovis Independents a few years ago with grants from the state OHV grants program.  The Clovis club also hosts an event called Moonlight Madness and they run the trail at night.   

The High Sierra Poker Run also takes a group of people out on Swamp Lake trail for the day.  That is a fun day and can be a long day on the trail.   

Del Albright and Red at the 2012 High Sierra Poker Run

Trail Work 

Clovis Independents are the Adopt-A-Club that work to maintain the trails on Bald Mountain.  They have received many grants to help keep the trails open, do trail work or maintenance and done a couple of re-routes to ensure the trail remains open and passable while maintaining the environment. 

Clovis Independents have received a BFGoodrich Tires “Outstanding Trails Award” in 2014 for their work on the trail and their hard work.  They have worked with the Forest Service to add a couple of old trails that we left off the MVUM and the connector from Bald Base Camp to the main Bald Mountain trails.  

Posi Hill – Does not look that tough!  Many have been denied though!

Tower Restoration 

A few years ago, well, maybe more than a few, the Forest Service wanted to tear down the Bald Mountain Lookout Tower because the building on top was in bad shape and the floor was bad with holes.  A group of guys lead by Clay Weed (R.I.P.) removed all the old material and disposed of it.  They then help rebuild the floor and building on top with a design approved by the Forest Service over a couple of weekends. 

The flag on the tower gets replaced by clubs when a new one is needed.  This tower is a great meeting location on the trail and the views are iconic of the valley below.   We usually try to have a quick BBQ lunch at the tower, get your poser shots of the lake or tower in the background.  If you are into “geocaching,” there is supposed to be a cache near the tower.  I have never been able to find it though. 

Clayton Weed and Forest Service Rep’s discussion the tower rebuild process

Other trails in the area include, Dusy Ershim, Swamp Lake Trail, Red Mountain trail system with Mirror Lake, Strawberry, West to name a few.   

Bald Mountain OHV Area is a great place to camp, play, wheel and explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Links 

www.cal4wheel.com 

www.bfgoodrichtires.com 

Motor Vehicle Use Maps 

Clovis Independents 4×4 club 

Crawl Magazine

Marlin Crawler

 

Video from Moonlight Madness 2017 with Crawl Magazine

Ed spotting me up V-Rock

Marlin from Marlin Crawler on the trail in his signature red Toyota

Mike Mcgarity, Cal4Wheel Central District VP in his stretched Willies Jeep

Big Mike from Marlin Crawler recreating the slow crawl with his Toyota.

Charlene Bower of Ladies Off-Road Network in the BFG Jeep

Alan of the Trail Busters playing on Posi in his Sami

Ladies run during the High Sierra Poker Run

Clay Weed (R.I.P.) climbing V-Rock

Group photo from the tower

Beautiful views from the top

Beautiful sunsets from the tower

Always ready to assist another Jeeper

Tower rebuild team

 

Showing off the MetalCloak suspension in the new creek obstacle

Bald Mountain OHV Area is a great wheeling location that should be on your bucket list.   Thanks to all who help keep it open.

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Todd Ockert Contributor

Retired Navy, land use advocate and oil man! ModernJeeper advocate and forum moderator. Todd has been involved in the Jeeping Lifestyle for longer then he can remember from when his dad took him on trails in Michigan. His educational and leadership in different organizations have helped in the ongoing battle to keep Public Lands Open to the Public. Todd currently calls Texas home after leaving California in December of 2017.

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