Rocky Gap/Potato Ridge Road

First off, I LOVE THIS TRAIL! It has everything you could ask for in a single day trail. Remoteness (no cell signal on the WHOLE trail), but easy to get to; as challenging as you want to make it (more on that later) and great scenery! The main trail is essentially fire road except at the top, where I'm guessing the name comes from. The wash that the road follows is a super fun rock garden extravaganza! I'm definitely calling out the rating on this one, but only the "optional" end (currently 6). If you go looking for it (not that hard) you'll find yourself face to face with a spot that definitely warrants a 7 rating and might realistically be an 8. I've included a couple photos and in our video you can really get a good look at it. I realize most folks aren't going to tackle that monster, but the rating should still reflect that it's there. Oh, and definitely run the trail from west to east, as it's numbered here. It saves a lot of hassle and a little money, and it just makes sense.

Trail is way way way harder with 6” of snow on the ground. IF YOU GO DURING THE WINTER have people with you!!! I went by myself and a friend and we slid off a 10ft embankment and nearly flipped the Jeep. I’m running 37” AT3s and the traction was great at 15PSI.. it looked like the trail was washed out under the snow which caused us to slide off. Luckily there’s an area that’s sorta flat and I drove out through there. The ledge was too steep so we needed to use recovery boards in order to get out The rocky garden was insanely difficult with the snow.. at one point there was no tire tracks at all and fresh powder snow..Luckily there’s an area that’s sorta flat and I drove out through there. The ledge was too steep so we needed to use recovery boards in order to get out.

Took a Group of 3 Yesterday, JT on 40s, JL on 35s and a 100% Stock JL, We did the Wash until the V Notch then exited onto the Fire Road,

We didn't expect a lot from Rocky Gap, we were simply aiming to complete it while on a road trip. Thankfully, we were mistaken. The beginning wasn't too rough, though several washouts in the first few miles were made even more sketchy by the small amount of snow present. One washout was snowy enough that we drifted through until regaining traction. The rock garden in the middle was a bit more than was expected based on the pics and video. With our shorter wheelbase (103 inches) we were able to avoid most of the rocks. The one optional line we took in to rock garden took a few tries, but our lockers weren't needed. After the rock garden, we continued to climb, and were rewarded with plenty of beautiful views. We completed the trail in approximately 2 hours. Overall, the trail was just challenging enough to be interesting, and had enough views to make the challenges worth it. This trail is definitely worth the journey, and one we'd be happy to do again.

Apparently this is a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail which I didn't know at the time I ran it. I am not a local and just thought is was a fun scenic trail. The rock garden was the most challenging but not too bad. I ran it alone and I really didn't need any spotter but I have 37 inch tires so I imagine that is why.

We ran the trail east to west coming in off the scenic drive. Keep in mind you do have to pay to get on that road and it is a one way road. The Jeep is a 2018 with stock suspension and 34's. The mandatory rock garden was a challenge for me. I don't off road much, pretty much only when we come out west for vacation. Having someone to spot for me was key. There were places where both the "easy" way and the hard way looked about the same.

Most of this road is a 2, until you hit the gate keeper. I ran this using a 2018 JLU Rubicon, 3” lift and 35” tires with no issues. As many have said in previous reviews, when you hit the gate keeper, it’s best to stop/walk and pick your lines. We accomplished this going west to east, scenery was spectacular and worth every rock we crawled over.

Ran this trail today with a YJ ~2” lift, a stock JLURD & Gladiator Rubicon. The one mandatory rocky section was challenging but none of the vehicles had any issues, but we did take it slow. The optional rock gardens would be impassable with the vehicles we drove today. Great views and the weather was perfect with some snow on the trail.

Ran this with 3 other Jeeps today 11/24/21 Great trail, ran from west to east with no other traffic on the trail. Some technical sections in the mandatory rock section, took one turn (to the right of the legendary tree) and this was more difficult than the regular trail, got hung up a bit but backed up and got through it ok. Banged on my skids in that section a couple times but overall a great run. I have open diffs and 295/70/17s. When I run it again I should have 35s by then, which should keep the skids off the rocks. There's plenty of opportunity to make this trail as tough as you want, so should satisfy even the hardcore crawlers. If you have a moderate to heavy built Jeep and are in the Vegas area this needs to be on your must-do list!

Just did this today kind of randomly. Started off the loop (reverse direction). Did this with a 2019 4Runner - with - stock suspension, wheels, and tires (which I DO NOT recommend since you will definitely bottom out a few times). Got through alright. It was a very fun experience!

I have run this trail many times. All of my Jeeps have made this trail without many issues at all. It seems like it has gotten a little easier or maybe that is because I am in a newer Jeep with all the bells and whistles. Either way, its a fun trail to explore and has it challenges. I also managed to log it on my Badge of Honor app so now its official that I have run the trail.

Beautiful red rocks.

I didn't do all of the wash, but figure I did half or more. Seems like most of the wash is boulder crawling, and I feel a minimum of a 4" lift with 31-32" tires and you will have a nice, moderatly challenging time. More lift and bigger tires will make it fun, slow and around a 4 level. Keep in mind that is my opinion and that trail changes. I have an 04 Grand Cherokee Limited, 4" lift and 31.5" tires. With that, it's a 5-6 traill all day long and totally worth the trip. Stick to the main road and it's rather tame, but there is the mandatory section that bumps the level up to a 4 I feel. Do the wash, and your at a level 6 for a good part of the trail. Good trail and I will be back!!

Great trail in the Mountains with some amazing views. This was my first "difficult" trail in my first Jeep Wrangler and it was a blast but also a little nerve racking being my first. I absolutely love this trail!

Exceptional, Each Wash gets Progressively more Difficult so After 3 or 4 we took the Trail out beside the Wash. Two Gladiators Neither Stock, Go big for this Trail. Looking forward to doing it again soon

Ran it backwards on Halloween. My opinion, trail needs an updated review and I'd call it a 5-7 the rock garden is doable in a stock vehicle but you are gonna scrape and bang on a few things. Body damage is possible, narrow shelf road at spots and a little pin striping is gonna happen if you take the only "doable" line in a stock Rubicon. SO... I used to spend a ton of time in this area bout 20 years ago and have explored from within the park up this trail about a dozen times. I had NEVER made it through as I never had a vehicle that could even make it to the rock garden when running it backwards. This time, was different! Took the stock 2020 JL up into the park as I enjoy stopping at the few of the trail heads. Started at about 11:00 on Halloween morning. Every bit as beautiful as I remember. I already plan to come back and camp a night at one of the spots along the route. There are a couple "fun" sections, but nothing challenging, basic easy as she goes no rub, no problem fun. Great views, some wildlife and lots of fresh air as you get up to around 6,500 feet. I would have turned around when we hit the rock garden. BUT, I happened to see a Gladiator and another Jeep coming UP right as we got there. They were both lifted, albeit not much but they did have sliders too. I spoke with them for a few minutes and decided to give it a go, knowing I was gonna rub a little. There are optional lines though the garden, but it's what I'd call a 7 as there is no way to not get hung up a little. I stacked a FEW rocks in a particular spot as I knew I just didn't have the clearance without getting seriously hung up. Coming down into it I chose the HARD right and then the second turn out back to the left. Couple little rubs. The waterfalls were definitely more dug out than any of the photos I've seen. Thankfully we were going DOWN. I actually decided to hug the far left, praying I wouldn't slide as it would definitely result in a roll if you got dumb or it was too slick. Impossible if wet. Thankfully a group of moto riders was hanging out and a couple of the dudes helped spot me, which made it pretty easy, still rubbed a bit on the last drop into the riverbed. There was like one or two ther spots that were a LITTLE bit washed out, that again, if you got dumb or weren't paying attention could bite ya. I hit like 23 degrees on one that just didn't seem that steep until I was already in it. Overall, GREAT trail. I can't wait to go run it again after I get my sliders and suspension done next week. Again, if you're stock and you're coming UP, those waterfalls might be a challenge and you're definitely gonna slide a little. Coming down, no problem but you're gonna get some undercarriage damage FOR SURE. Unfortunately, was pressed for time and didn't snap any pics, but I will next time.

What a great trail with spectacular views. The mandatory rock garden made for quite the challenge in my 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ but I somehow managed to creep through unscathed. The trail lived up to its rocky name and I rarely got the Jeep past second gear in low range the whole time so it was pretty slow moving.

Wow...as advertised. The "rock garden" was very challenging and the rock slider on my Chevy Bison got a bit of dent just behind the front passenger tire. Sure had to pick your lines and my spotter/girlfriend helped immensely. But what a great trail, beautiful and worth the trip. We started out from the Red Rock Canyon side and ended up taking Trout Canyon all the way into Pahrump.

I often take this trail from the scenic drive of RRC to the summit to hike to Bridge Mountain, North Peak or Rainbow Mountain in my stock 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. That side to the summit is not bad, can be done in most high clearance vehicles. Once I went through the rock garden and out to Lovell Canyon, that was quite the challenge for me. This side of the mountain really needs a 4WD with high clearance, although I have seen vehicles like a stock Cherokee and a stock Armada heading through. I would not want to go through the rock garden without skid plates and sliders, could get some significant damage to the underside, doors.

I have done this trail many times up to Bridge Mtn Trailhead (from Red Rock loop) and it is fun with not much more is needed than good clearance. This time I did the whole road through the rock gardens and camped out near the end at an obvious camp spot. Fun adventure, but I wouldn't run the rock garden again in my vehicle as it did sustain a little damage. (2003 Tacoma with 2" lift)

A great day in the Spring Mountains! I feel this trail should be rated 4-7 instead of 2-7. The rock garden is significantly more difficult than the time I ran this trail last year, which was worse than the year before. Great scenery with some fun challenges. If you are not in a modified vehicle, I'd recommend this trail only if you are an experienced wheeler.

A bit windy but otherwise a great day. JKU Wrangler with 2.5" lift and stock tires had no issues although we passed several cars (stock looking 4runner, couple of full size trucks) that decided not to attempt the rock garden.

Excellent day for and adventure!

Great trail, we run it at least once a month. Very doable with an experienced driver.

2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk (Stock) This was an amazing adventure for me and my little Jeep.