M1 - Elk Mountain Road to Lake Pillsbury

From Ukiah, CA, take Highway 101 north 6 miles to Highway 20. Take Highway 20 east for 26.5 miles to the town of Upper Lake. Note that this town is your last opportunity to buy gasoline and food. At the intersection of Highway 20 and Main Street, zero out your odometer. Then turn left onto Main Street, and follow it until it it reaches a 'T' intersection with Mendenhall Avenue. Turn right on Mendenhall. Follow Mendenhall .2 mile until it reaches another 'T' intersection. Turn left on Elk Mountain Road. Note that the Upper Lake Ranger Station is at this intersection, and is a great resource for maps, campfire permits, etc. The initial section of Elk Mountain Road up to the trailhead is paved; after penetrating into the valley, you'll pass Middle Creek campground, then the road will start to switchback steeply upward. After 14.3 miles and innumerable switchbacks, you'll reach the saddle on the shoulder of Elk Mountain where the road tops out and enters the Mendocino National forest. Drive 1 additional mile to reach the Penny Pines staging area. The road broadens into wide dirt pullouts on both sides here, as this is the most popular place for OHV enthusiasts to unload their bikes and quads from off their trailers. The campground entrance is on the left just 100 yards north of the pullouts.