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5S10 - Red Hill Road

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4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California (Riverside County)
Last Updated: 07/30/2020

Trail Information

Highlights

5S10 - Red Hill Road is west of Idyllwild/Pine Cove in the San Bernardino National Forest and the San Jacinto Forest District. It's an easy 3 mile drive through beautiful forests at it's upper end and typical high desert scrub when coming in off of the Old Control Road in the lower elevations. When hearing the weatherman announce snow levels to 4000 feet it is especially beautiful as you transition from a bright blue sky on a dry road to a cloudy, wet, snow filled road at the higher elevations. Easily done in 30 minutes, but why? Stop, look, listen, enjoy! Everything Idyllwild has to offer can be found here.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (7)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/30/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We entered this trail via Old Control Rd. Lots of oak and pine trees and good views. The ground was wet but there was very little mud. It was easy except for one section that had a steep and deep muddy hole that took up the left half of the trail. My passenger worked as a spotter as I avoided the obstacle by maneuvering the right side of my Ford Ranger up an embankment and testing my rollover angle. It was fun. There was a lot of fog. We reached the end of the trail where it meets McGovern Rd. but we took a left and continued on to the San Jacinto Ridge Truck Trail. All in all a fun ride.
Trail Review: 5S10 - Red Hill Road - Fred Garvin
Trail Review: 5S10 - Red Hill Road - Fred Garvin
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400
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/31/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy scenic trail through the forest and can be done easily with 2WD during dry times.
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Official Crew
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19650
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/30/2020

My friend Robert was my trail backup when I lived in California. I’m now mapping trails in Idaho. Robert is doing an excellent job of running the trails and providing much needed Trail Reviews, check out this review from 7/30/20
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Official Crew
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41500
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/30/2020

We entered from the south end of the trail. Mostly flat and well maintained road through the flattest parts of the forest. At this altitude your in the trees. Tractor tread tracks were still visible along the sides suggesting its recent maintenance. Quite and nice to get away. Not obvious from this direction when leaving the trail but when looking back you can see signs posted suggesting End of road and private road but it is not. You in housing at this point and a very short distance to Hwy 243.
Trail Review: 5S10 - Red Hill Road - Robert Kruse
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/06/2020

Just right for a first timer. (That's me) I took my Jeep Commander 2WD starting from the north end. There is the slightly comical sign that says END. So I began with the end. There a few ruts that the Commander smoothly negotiated without even airing down. Some great views of Diamond Valley Lake. We had the trail to ourselves. Many might think this too tame, but it was a great opportunity to get used to angling and sizing up ruts. There are a couple big turn outs to take a break.

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