Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests. Please call your local Rangers Office prior to heading out to the trail to verify that the trails are open. Click Here For More Details

Hull Mountain

Upper Lake, California (Mendocino County)

Last Updated: 01/15/2019
4.6 / 5 ( 5 reviews )
Information
Nearby Trails
Status: Temporary Closure
Typically Open: 04/01 - 12/15
Length: 11.42 miles
Highest Elevation: 6873 feet
Duration: About 1 hour, 50 minutes
Shape of Trail: Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel: N/A
Nearest Town: Upper Lake
Nearest Town w/ Services: Upper Lake
Official Road Name: M1
Management Agency: Mendocino National Forest
District: Upper Lake District
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

Highlight: Hull Mountain
Hull Mountain rises above Lake Pillsbury in the southwest part of the Mendocino National Forest in Northern California. This is a beautiful area for camping, swimming, fishing, and 4WD adventures. The mountain stands at 6,873', and there is a rough gravel road all the way to the summit, where only a concrete foundation remains of the fire lookout tower that once stood here. The views from the top are world-class; on a clear day you can see Lassen Peak to the north, the Sierras to the east, and the nearby peaks of the Mendocino National Forest all around you (including Snow, Sanhedrin, and Goat, just to name a few).

Video

Weather

7 day forecast for Hull Mountain

Route Information

Technical Rating:
(MODERATE )

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Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)
The trailhead is at the intersection of Elk Mountain Rd/M1 and Homeview. Although the road is paved at this intersection, as you continue on M1, the surface changes to a heavily potholed, washboard gravel trail within a few hundred yards.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 39.445910, -122.942470

Starting Point: Upper Lake

From Upper Lake, follow the M1 - Elk Mountain Road to Lake Pillsbury trail to its final waypoint at the north end of Lake Pillsbury. This is the trailhead for Hull Mountain.

Camping

Improved

Trail Reviews (6)

Author:
Jon A.
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Fun trail with nice views. Only hard part was right before the summit, there is a huge rut that has been dugged pretty deep. Ended up backing up in a stock 4Runner with A/T tires
Author:
Peter Eberhardt
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Great little trail, did get a bit of snow at the very top. Would think the rating of 3 is a little overkill, if conditions are dry 2wd will make it all day. Only part where 4wd would be needed would be to make the last 300 feet to the peak itself.
Author:
mitch oliver spicher
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
This Is a easy and nice trail up to the mountain top of Hull Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest. You Can keep on goin for miles after reaching the mountain top, but beware, there might be some patches of snow that is easy to get stuck in! I rate this trail as easy, mostly I had my vehicle in 2wd, there are some parts where the trail is washed out a bit and you might wanna switch to 4wd. The views are stunning and you are on your own. Do not expect someone coming by for help, so be prepared!
Author:
Sean Eyler
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
I enjoyed this trail. Stock 2019 Tacoma 4x4. Made it up and down fine on 2-WD. I saw a prius coming down when I was at the staging area, but I doubt he made it to the summit. The view at the top of Mt Hull was great, we ended up camping at one of the pull-off sites right down from the peak. Great sunset and sunrise views. There are tons of other trails to just drive down and explore. I will be back here again to do the full 40-mile M1 trail.
Author:
Evan Ziraldo
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Great drive with amazing views, trail was not too bad, did it in a stock 2019 Tacoma Off Road, only one section near the top was difficult and just required proper tire placement to maintain traction, vehicles with proper off road tires should have no issue.
Author:
Hallie
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Completed in bone-stock Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Only suggestion would be for upgraded offroad tired for coming down from the summit: we were at/above the cloud line and rear end was easily slipping sideways in mud.

Questions & Answers (4)

Q: Thanks so much for the great info. Is Pogie Point still open? Looks like some surrounding roads are closed now?
–Jay Courant (09/18/2018)
–Vlad Mott (09/20/2018)
Q: Is the duration 2 hrs there and back or 2 hrs just to get to the top? Thanks a lot for all the answers btw.
–Ricardo ravelo (06/09/2018)
–Vlad Mott (06/11/2018)
Q: Is camping not allowed at all at the top of Hull or it’s just not possible because of the uneven ground and lack of space?
–Ricardo ravelo (06/09/2018)
–Vlad Mott (06/09/2018)
Q: Is camping possible at the end of the hull mountain road?
–Ricardo ravelo (06/09/2018)
–Vishal Pachigar (09/12/2019)
–Vlad Mott (06/09/2018)

Writer Information

Vlad Mott

Mapping Crew - California
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Vlad Mott is a longtime outdoors enthusiast who loves hiking, jeeping & backcountry adventure.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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