Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

Total Miles
14.4

Elevation

1,477.75 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

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Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV
5

Trail Overview

This rugged backcountry drive climbs high to the ridgeline of the Sierra Pelona. After traversing the ridge for several scenic miles, it switchbacks down the northern side of the mountain, offering outstanding views of Bouquet Reservoir. Most of the route is inside Rowher Flat OHV Area, open to greensticker vehicles. If you're looking for a difficult route, follow Rowher Trail shown on the map. Sierra Pelona Road crosses Rowher Trail several times on the north side.

Photos of Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV
Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

Difficulty

Easy: Single-lane shelf road much of the way with adequate room to pass most of the time. Mildly steep in places with vertical dropoffs at the top. Suitable for stock 4x4 SUVs with decent ground clearance. Skid plates helpful.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Ian B
Dec 17, 2024
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Fire Danger
Weather Event
Vivek M
Dec 14, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Good trail for beginners to practice/improve their skills. Can be done with 4 high but low gear helps on the downhills. Encountered some loose gravel. Watch out for dirt bikes coming in the other direction
Sam Worsham
Nov 03, 2024
2024 Ford Bronco
Open
Normal
The trail is a dirt fire road, very easy. Only one or two rain grooves that a Nissan Sentra would struggle with. (But could still likely make it...) The vantage point requires a little side mission off the green trail at the summit, but it's not severe either. Everything was pretty easy. A nice introductory trail for someone new to the game, kind of like myself. But I was hoping for some harder stuff on the sides, not much luck there. Maybe a couple mild hill climbs... All in all, an easy trail for timid or new off roaders, or someone with a less capable vehicle to get away for a nice view.
Pat Hayhurst
Oct 23, 2024
2022 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Dusty
The north side coming in on Bouquet Canyon is very smooth and easy. The south facing slopes on the Aqua Dulce side are much more rocky and have a lot of water ditches in the road. Easy to drive with a high clearance vehicle. Was only in part time 4high on the south side but could easily have made it in 2wd. Saw three deer on the road and they looked pretty fat eating the grass and weeds along the side of the road. Great drive.

Access Description

Take I-5 to Highway 14. Get off 14 at Sand Canyon and head north to Sierra Highway. Go northeast about 4.5 miles to Rush Canyon Road on left. Follow Rush Canyon Road north 2.9 miles to Staging Area #1.

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