Mud Springs and Indian Trail Roads

The original Elk City Wagon Road left Newsom Creek Road and climbed up Smith Grade. Slides now block Smith Grade, so the modern Wagon Road route was moved a few miles down Newsom Creek Road to Mud Springs Road. After about three miles, Mud Springs Road reconnects with the original Wagon Road and becomes Indian Trail Road. It is all one road with no way to get off of it in that area. The road runs from Newsom Creek Road to Sweeney Hill Road, which becomes paved and runs down to Elk City, where limited supplies are available.

The road is mostly well-graveled, one to two lanes wide, and can be driven in any vehicle with reasonable ground clearance. It is heavily forested on both sides, limiting the expansive views so often found in this area. There are some minor washouts and potholes. The main hazard is blind curves.

There are no campgrounds along the road. Dispersed camping is allowed, but there are no established dispersed sites with existing fire rings. If needed, one could pull off onto a wide spot in the road or drive down one of the gated side roads to establish a quick camp.