Yellow Jacket Trail (Upper) / 20W24 / 126

4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Frazier Park, California (Ventura County)
Last Updated: 05/22/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Yellow Jacket Upper was once an extreme trail that has now become easy. With a few tight areas and just one rocky area, this trail can be easily traveled in most stock 4x4's. Along the route, you will pass through several meadows that bring some beauty into this burned out area.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (9)
Official Crew
120300
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 05/22/2023

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.
Official Crew
120300
Seasonal Closure
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/10/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

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.
Official Crew
120300
Seasonal Closure
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/16/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Closed till spring
3000
Open
Visited: 08/05/2022

Easy trail. Not much signs of anyone besides a few motorcycle being on this trail. The trail is clear all the way to the sign that indicates the start of the motorcycle only part of the trail. The brush is growing in to the trail a bit so there will be pinstriping. To get to this trail we started at the Frazier Mountain Trailhead - 20W03 by the Chuchupate Ranger Station. There is a large parking lot here handy if you are unloading vehicles from a trailer. We took the "118 West Frazier Mine Road" trail to the Lockwood Trail - 20W06 - 127. And then turned off on Yellow Jacket. We did see 2 other trucks on the Lock wood trail, they were doing the miller jeep trail and were planing on doing the salt creek, cherry creek and Pletio creek trails the next day (9N19). After the trails we wend back to Lake of the Woods and stopped at Mountain View Mini Mart to eat. They have a great little deli with burgers, burrito and sandwiches. This is next to Mikes pizza, also a place we have stopped at in the past. Nothing was very crowded on this Friday but it may pick up on the weekend.
Official Crew
120300
Open
Visited: 04/29/2022

Reports that the trail has been opened for the year.

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