Yellow Jacket Trail (Lower) / 20W24 / 126

Sounds like the trail just opened.

Bad News!!! I heard from the group that went to check and maintain the trail, and they are saying there is a significant washout on the trail, and it won't likely open until July at the earliest. I was told the rating overall hasn't gotten any harder but there is a lot of water running on the trail. Looking forward to seeing the trail when it opens.

Repost from Mike Zaboski, Point Mugu 4WD Club. (April 8th, 2023) So we met today with Assistant Recreation Officer Loreigh Brannon of the USFS Mt. Pinos Ranger District for an update on the status of the trails (Lockwood Trail, Cottonwood Trail Miller Jeep Trail, Yellowjacket Trail and ALL connecting OHV trails in the area). After the unpredicted amount of rainfall this season (one station recorded 17" of rain just out of one storm!), there is pretty much no way that the seasonal closure will be lifted by May 1st. There are numerous downed trees, wash outs, slides and giant ruts throughout the trail system, with some culverts (and even a couple of campgrounds) completely washed away. The trails can't be properly surveyed until they significantly dry out and the snow melts enough that any potential trail damage can be ascertained without causing further damage. Once the initial survey of all the trails is completed by the Forest Service, only then will they be calling on its volunteer groups to come in and help with trail rehab. Some of the trails and roads in the trail system are so badly damaged, that they will need heavy equipment to help rehab. Unfortunately, the whole Mt. Pinos trail system won't be opened until ALL of the damaged interconnecting trails receive some sort of temporary repairs. This could be weeks, or even months beyond the normal opening date, depending on the amount damage found. This is a huge task, and will take time to mitigate for everyone's safety, so please be patient.

Closed till spring

Reports that the trail has been opened for the year.

Trails closing for the season

Trail is open for the season

The trail was heavily grown in so we decided to skip it and continue to the Miller Jeep Trail