Home > California > Pilot Creek

Pilot Creek OHV Trails

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Trail Map

Other Names

Skull Camp Trail, Dan East Trail, Mad River Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest, Eightmile Ridge, Happy Jack Spring, East Creek, Henry Ridge, Blake Mountain, Tony Corrals, Mill Creek, Kerlin Creek

Last Known Status

Open

Situated in a beautiful coastal forest, this area offers some deep woods trails that are marked and rated. The best parts of the trail are true single track, much too narrow for any ATV and some parts are very steep. Vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, coastal grasses and some fern foliage.

The access road is paved but very steep and narrow with no turnarounds. The main trailhead is near the summit and has just a small turnout. There are also a few primitive campsites. Stage wherever you can fit.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)	CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
ATVs	Prohibited	CA OHMVR stickers required
UTV & SXS	Prohibited	CA OHMVR stickers required
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Prohibited	CA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only)
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	Yes	Not Recommended
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	keep on designated trails
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	None

TERRAIN

Miles Of Trail	10
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	3000 to 4100 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose Dirt	Mostly
Hard Pack	Some
Sand	None
Mud	Little
Dust	Little
Rocks	Little
Trees	All
Steep Hills	Some
Water Crossings	Few
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Some
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	Many
Roads	None
Intersections	Few
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	All
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	Few	(hazards not marked) steep hills
Novice	Little
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Some

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (SW)	Dinsmore Grocery Store (707) 574-6388
Diesel	5-20 Miles (SW)	Dinsmore Grocery Store (707) 574-6388
Water	5-20 Miles (SW)	Dinsmore Grocery Store (707) 574-6388
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (SE)	Journeys End (707) 443-6051
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SE)	Journeys End (707) 443-6051
Campground	5-20 Miles (SE)	Fir Cove Campground (707) 574-6233
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (SW)	Dinsmore Grocery Store (707) 574-6388

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	beautiful forest scenery, nice single track
Cons	main entrance road is steep and narrow, no good parking or turnaround spots for large trailers/RVs
Our Rating	Very Good
Recommended Stay	Full Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Bridgeville, CA

Trail Map

From: Eureka, CA
1) Take US-101 South about 20 miles
2) Turn left (east) on SR-36, continue 48 miles
3) Turn left on FS-6N01 (you will see a church on the left)
4) *Continue past church about 4 miles
5) Veer left at fork on 2N05, continue 1.5 miles
6) Turn left at T-intersection on 2N12, continue 1 mile
7) Turn right on 2N12A, continue .25 miles. Trailhead is on the right

Dan East Trailhead:
4) *After passing the church stay on FS-6N01 for 15 miles
5) Look for mile post 39. Trailhead is on the left.

*Note: Not recommended for large trailers/RVs to go past the church. The main entrance road very steep and narrow, with no turnarounds.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

Six Rivers National Forest - Mad River Ranger District
741 State Highway 36
Bridgeville, CA 95526
(707) 574-6233
mailroom_r5_six_rivers@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov