Deer Valley

High in the Stanislaus and Eldorado National Forest, between Lake Alpine and Blue Lakes, is one of northern California's great mountain season 4x4 trails, Deer Valley. Continuous rock crawling, numerous camping opportunities, beautiful mountain views, dense forest, two creek crossings, and a high mountain meadow make up the Deer Valley Four Wheel Drive Trail. Starting at the Hermit Valley Campground, Deer Valley travels through a narrow section of forest surrounded by the Mokelumne Wilderness before reaching Lower Blue Lake at the north end. This rough, rocky trail is best enjoyed by more experienced wheelers in modified rigs traveling south to north, but stock 4x4s looking for a challenge can give this trail a try from the north entrance.