NorCal TTORA
California Trail Info

Pardoe's Trail
Rating: 5

Pardoe's Trail runs from the Bear River Reservoir up to the top of Squaw Ridge at an elevation of 9250'. This trail is a must-do if you enjoy magnificent views. The majority of the trail is a relatively easy dirt track winding along the ridge. The easy sections are broken up by the occasional rock garden. There are also several tight spots that require careful attention from long wheelbase vehicles.

The top section of the trail becomes rather challenging, but the view is worth it! Some sections of the upper trail approach a '6' difficulty rating. From the top you can see the city lights from South Lake Tahoe at night!

Requirements: To participate in TTORA Pardoe's Trail runs you must have 4WD. A mild lift, locker, and rock sliders will be helpful if you plan on running the top leg of this trail.

Directions: Take Bear River road from highway 88. There will be signs for the Bear River reservoir. Bear River road is about 34 miles west of the highway 88/highway 89 junction and about 36 miles east of the town of Jackson. Follow Bear River road around the eastern side of the lake. Follow the signs for Squaw Ridge.

Gas Up: Get gas in Jackson or Tahoe depending on which direction you are travelling.

GPS Coordinates:
Trailhead: N38° 32.845' W120° 12.172'

Click for Wide Area Map

The west end of the trail starts near the Bear River reservoir. There is an awesome canyon view looking downstream from the dam.

Once you cross the dam, follow along the south edge of the reservoir on Bear River road.

When you come to the four-way intersection turn left on forest road 8N03F (N38° 32.845 W120° 12.173). From here the trail heads up towards the ridge.

The view only gets better and better the farther up the ridge you drive.

Along the way are several interesting rock formations. Some of them look like bizarre meteorites.

The short rocky sections break up the otherwise easy drive. At points the trail seems to disappear into a pile of boulders.

Some corners prove to be challenging for long wheelbase vehicles. There are dozens of spots on the trail with very tight squeezes between rocks and trees.

I can't think of a better place to watch a sunset.

If you look carefully to the right of the peak you can make out part of a chair lift. Kirkwood ski resort is just on the other side of the peak.

The eastern trail back out toward Silver Lake is just as scenic as the rest of the route.

Links to more whatever pictures:
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/album46