CorralMeadowLoop.gpx is the Garmin GPX file for the trip. You'd want to have the topo map for the Sierra's for this to be useful. Feel free to download to your GPS.
Ride Stats:
- length: 25 miles
- time: 1:45:00
- avg speed: 15 mph
This is a 25 mile loop, which starts at the Corral Meadow trailhead. The trailhead can be found about half a mile west of the Bear Valley town entrance. You'll know the trailhead by peeking off of Hwy 4 towards the north and you will see one of those National Forest trailhead signs. Actually you can also get there by turning into the "old subdivision", and take a left towards the west right away which turns into a dirt road and takes you to the trailhead. This latter method is only for motorcycles or mountain bikes... some boulders prevent 4 wheeled vehicles, including ATVs. Trucks and ATV's, please use the trailhead off of Hwy 4.
The trail takes you first to a peak at 7874 ft, Waypoint 1 on the map below. This spot gives you a nice view of the ski run Tigger, a black diamond run on the backside of Bear Valley Mountain Resort. You can continue on foot or mountain bike EAST from here, to Bear Valley Mountain Resort. This loop instead veers off to the east, to Waypoint 2, which provides a spectacular view at 8038 feet of the mountain ranges to the east and north. BTW, I passed a more or less stock jeep on the way to waypoint 1, so it's doable for a basic 4x4.
From here, you continue on to Corral Meadow area, though I didn't see any meadow at all. The trail all along has been a mixture of easy climbs to tricky segments with lots of basketball to larger sized rock in your way.
By the way, this trail is not marked well on the Garmin Topo West map. It does exist on the USGS Tamarack Quadrangle (purchased at nearby ranger stations). As I watched my handlebar mounted GPS, I was certain that this trail would take me to Salt Springs Reservoir, but the closest I got was 1.5 miles, on this trail.
As you continue on the way to Waypoint 3, you join USFS trail system 1A. This trail is actually a wide, flat fireroad, all the way back to Hwy 4. Some logging clearing/operations will mark your progress. Waypoint 3 is a red hunting cabin. Looks to me like it's open to the visitor who would come out this far. Very rough accomodations, not at all windproof, probably leaks alot. A wood stove inside, lots of firewood, and some supplies inside, cooking oil, small amount of water, pots/pans, matches will help you survive the night. There is an upstairs, so to speak, where the heat probably concentrates, and you could set up your sleeping bag there.
Two logs books, one full, the other half full, tell tales of visitors who stayed. Fire ring nearby, out house for when nature calls. If you come with food, there is a log strung up to hang your food out of bear reach.
Continuing on from here you join USFS road 7N09, which is even wider and flatter fire road. You'll probably start to see other off roaders, ATV'ers, etc. at this point. Eventually you exit the trail on Hwy 4, at the Cabbage Patch area. From here up to Bear Valley for a beer, it's about a 15min ride at speed.
A comment on the above: This high tech application opens up unprecedented, easy ways to explore and share the experience. For those who can read the topo maps, some digital pictures taken at key waypoints with notes about the direction of the shot (View looking East), would enhance even more - dramatically - the experience and the record of it. A well done job!
Comments:
Note: You must be logged in to add comments2005-11-29 11:38:46 Integration of digital pictures is coming as a future project. More important features are necessary, such as allowing others to add interesting waypoint data and media to the tracks. All in progress. —TonyZuccarino
2006-08-25 17:25:08 Great Info! Thanks for the .gpx file. Do you think I can make the loop in a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4? —MatthewRider
2006-08-27 14:18:35 It's been a while since I did this one on my KTM motorcycle... but I think a stock Jeep Cherokee would do this no problem. —TonyZuccarino
