I took my Modified ZR2 Bison with 35's on the Pardoe trail by myself just after it reopened and after a heavy winter. On my own I made it through to the mud lake turn only to find I couldn't make it due to all the snow. I turned around and made it all the way back before dark. I wasn't prepared for this trail and it tested all my skills, I would never do this trail again on my own with a anything more than atv or utv. I will be back, next time if on my own I will come in from the mud lake side.
Sounds about right! Unless you're in a highly modified Jeep or an expert skilled off road driver, I wouldn't tackle Pardoe's alone! And it could be a challenge with the length of a ZR2 Bison as well! Some of those tree sections are really tight to squeeze through. Barely fit the LX570 through a few sections!
Nice to see my backyard fetured! I've done the Forestdale divide in my Raptor but it's a nope on Strawberry pass and others, I got high centered just watching the vid. ;)
Awesome overview as always! Question on the write-up: it mentions that there’s an easier section of hungalelti ridge that maybe a sprinter van could do. From 88, how would one get there? Head onto 17E24, then at the fork near Munson meadow trail, would you stay on 17E24 or turn southwest onto 16E26 for this out and back? Unsure of which direction at this fork the easier portion with views is. Just want to avoid that absolute 5 hour slog you mentioned if possible
@@OverlandTrailGuides We send our Rams but just have to know what you’re doing and have patience. Damage is usually due to rushing it or not knowing your limits but we’ve all had those oh crap moments where it was unavoidable. Love that area though! I’ve done it in my old 2015 Cummins and my Jeep. Took my new power wagon up to the trail but turned around because I was hunting solo and just past the Allen Ranch it was way worse than it used to be. Curious how bad it will be after all this snow.
@@knolysjohnson7244 If you watch the video without skipping around, you'll see that we've posted labels for the various trails and discovery points along the way.
i did half of this pardoes trail ("hungaleti west" onX) starting from lower bear river res entry and stopped at 38.58187, -120.13276 in a 03 trailblazer ext on 31s no sliders and went back the same way... its not as extreme as the site/this video says looks. a few scuff on my rear diff/ sway bar... no biggie and had my wife(whos never been off roading more that through the bear res campground and the fire roads surrounding in sxs) spot me on blown out mud section. youll be slow but you can do(the western half) pardoes on baby tires and 4wd
@@cbtech I wouldn't bank on it... you might be able to access Blue Lakes and Hungalelti Ridge, but I'd guess most, if not all of el dorado NF will remain closed until snow/rain comes.
I went out yesterday and many of the roads off Mormon Emigrant Trail are closed. Crews in the hundreds still doing cleanup on the devastating Caldor fire. I was able to traverse Pilliken Rd along Camp Creek over to North South Rd. Wow. Right through the heart of the fire, and there are no words to describe. The entrances to the the route featured in this video, in both directions, off of Mormon Emigrant were open, but I hit significant snow less than a mile in. I was by myself in a stock 4x4, and after a close call last week on Wentworth Springs, I wasn’t going to push it. 😊
Pardos trail…..why do u say that u need a short wheel base 4x4? I heard that early on in the video and then u repeated it later but then u guys are all out there with four door fairly sizeable rigs. Four runner, land cruiser, 4 door jeep etc. u guys seemed to do just fine. I wheel in a 74 bronco and that is what I think of when I hear “short wheel” base. I also go off-road in my 1990 land cruiser and based on the videos I would have no issue taking it out there. Maybe u we’re just trying to deter some really long oversized pickups? Not sure but just asking. Thx for the content and detailed descriptions of the trail ride.
Short wheelbase commonly refers to SUVs and non-truck 4x4s. We’d recommend that most trucks steer clear of Pardoes. A single cab compact truck could likely handle it without issue, but a crew cab long bed Tacoma- no way!!
I replied to another comment, but will add here as well from my experience yesterday. You should be ok below 6,000 feet, unless significant shading. I went out yesterday and many of the roads off Mormon Emigrant Trail are closed. Crews in the hundreds still doing cleanup on the devastating Caldor fire. I was able to traverse Pilliken Rd along Camp Creek over to North South Rd. Wow. Right through the heart of the fire, and there are no words to describe. The entrances to the the route featured in this video, in both directions, off of Mormon Emigrant were open, but I hit significant snow less than a mile in. I was by myself in a stock 4x4, and after a close call last week on Wentworth Springs, I wasn’t going to push it. 😊
The section out to Burnside lake, Blue Lakes + Foresthill Divide and Pardoe's was unaffected by the fires-- my favorite parts of the route. Strawberry Pass got hit, and so did the forest at lower elevations north of Bear River Reservoir. I expect the FS will want to do some additional cleanup of the burned areas to mitigate any danger to to the public (falling limbs and trees), but please check with them about closures.
I appreciate you guys making these videos as a guy living in the Bay Area. 👍
This channel is truly Gold
That was fun. Thank you for bringing us along. I cant wait for the next adventure.
Excellent video Ben!
Great trip Ben , excited for the next adventure!
Pushing for Black Rock right before Thanksgiving ;)
I took my Modified ZR2 Bison with 35's on the Pardoe trail by myself just after it reopened and after a heavy winter. On my own I made it through to the mud lake turn only to find I couldn't make it due to all the snow. I turned around and made it all the way back before dark. I wasn't prepared for this trail and it tested all my skills, I would never do this trail again on my own with a anything more than atv or utv. I will be back, next time if on my own I will come in from the mud lake side.
Sounds about right! Unless you're in a highly modified Jeep or an expert skilled off road driver, I wouldn't tackle Pardoe's alone! And it could be a challenge with the length of a ZR2 Bison as well! Some of those tree sections are really tight to squeeze through. Barely fit the LX570 through a few sections!
Nice to see my backyard fetured! I've done the Forestdale divide in my Raptor but it's a nope on Strawberry pass and others, I got high centered just watching the vid. ;)
*featured
nice video! You're lucky you got to explore it before the Caldor fire started up. Patiently waiting for maps and GPX files. :)
Yes we did! Hoping it doesn't ravage the beautiful high country! GPX and KMZ files have been posted :)
really like your channel
Awesome overview as always! Question on the write-up: it mentions that there’s an easier section of hungalelti ridge that maybe a sprinter van could do. From 88, how would one get there? Head onto 17E24, then at the fork near Munson meadow trail, would you stay on 17E24 or turn southwest onto 16E26 for this out and back? Unsure of which direction at this fork the easier portion with views is. Just want to avoid that absolute 5 hour slog you mentioned if possible
Pardoe’s is fun in full-size rigs. Don’t need short wheelbase, just need patience and a decent spotter.
If you're undeterred by the possibility of panel/body damage, go for it! One of our members did just that in his F150, and wasn't so lucky.
@@OverlandTrailGuides We send our Rams but just have to know what you’re doing and have patience. Damage is usually due to rushing it or not knowing your limits but we’ve all had those oh crap moments where it was unavoidable. Love that area though! I’ve done it in my old 2015 Cummins and my Jeep. Took my new power wagon up to the trail but turned around because I was hunting solo and just past the Allen Ranch it was way worse than it used to be. Curious how bad it will be after all this snow.
Strawberry Pass OHV doesn't look as bad in this video compared to other videos on the trail! Is there a section of that trail that is easier?
We didn’t include Strawberry Pass in this video.
What’s the name of the trail you entered from in kyburz?
@@knolysjohnson7244 If you watch the video without skipping around, you'll see that we've posted labels for the various trails and discovery points along the way.
i did half of this pardoes trail ("hungaleti west" onX) starting from lower bear river res entry and stopped at 38.58187, -120.13276 in a 03 trailblazer ext on 31s no sliders and went back the same way... its not as extreme as the site/this video says looks. a few scuff on my rear diff/ sway bar... no biggie and had my wife(whos never been off roading more that through the bear res campground and the fire roads surrounding in sxs) spot me on blown out mud section.
youll be slow but you can do(the western half) pardoes on baby tires and 4wd
As always, fantastic content! Went to the site and the GPX was not available yet.
check now-- but the forest is currently closed.
@@OverlandTrailGuides yeah looking at a mid October trip. Like more crisp weather
@@cbtech I wouldn't bank on it... you might be able to access Blue Lakes and Hungalelti Ridge, but I'd guess most, if not all of el dorado NF will remain closed until snow/rain comes.
@@OverlandTrailGuides yeah you may be right, unfortunately.
I went out yesterday and many of the roads off Mormon Emigrant Trail are closed. Crews in the hundreds still doing cleanup on the devastating Caldor fire. I was able to traverse Pilliken Rd along Camp Creek over to North South Rd. Wow. Right through the heart of the fire, and there are no words to describe. The entrances to the the route featured in this video, in both directions, off of Mormon Emigrant were open, but I hit significant snow less than a mile in. I was by myself in a stock 4x4, and after a close call last week on Wentworth Springs, I wasn’t going to push it. 😊
Pardos trail…..why do u say that u need a short wheel base 4x4? I heard that early on in the video and then u repeated it later but then u guys are all out there with four door fairly sizeable rigs. Four runner, land cruiser, 4 door jeep etc. u guys seemed to do just fine. I wheel in a 74 bronco and that is what I think of when I hear “short wheel” base. I also go off-road in my 1990 land cruiser and based on the videos I would have no issue taking it out there. Maybe u we’re just trying to deter some really long oversized pickups? Not sure but just asking. Thx for the content and detailed descriptions of the trail ride.
Short wheelbase commonly refers to SUVs and non-truck 4x4s. We’d recommend that most trucks steer clear of Pardoes. A single cab compact truck could likely handle it without issue, but a crew cab long bed Tacoma- no way!!
1000 subscriber!!
Should put heavy pin striping In trail details
Did you do this during summer? Have you done it in spring time?
high sierra in the spring, unlikely.
I replied to another comment, but will add here as well from my experience yesterday. You should be ok below 6,000 feet, unless significant shading.
I went out yesterday and many of the roads off Mormon Emigrant Trail are closed. Crews in the hundreds still doing cleanup on the devastating Caldor fire. I was able to traverse Pilliken Rd along Camp Creek over to North South Rd. Wow. Right through the heart of the fire, and there are no words to describe. The entrances to the the route featured in this video, in both directions, off of Mormon Emigrant were open, but I hit significant snow less than a mile in. I was by myself in a stock 4x4, and after a close call last week on Wentworth Springs, I wasn’t going to push it. 😊
Is this route still open based on last years fires in this area?
The section out to Burnside lake, Blue Lakes + Foresthill Divide and Pardoe's was unaffected by the fires-- my favorite parts of the route. Strawberry Pass got hit, and so did the forest at lower elevations north of Bear River Reservoir. I expect the FS will want to do some additional cleanup of the burned areas to mitigate any danger to to the public (falling limbs and trees), but please check with them about closures.
Can I ask: how do you not run out of gas on such a long route?
I typically bring an extra 7 gallons of fuel on trips like these.
There are fuel trees out there!
I hope that you put the rocks back after "paving" the tougher obstacles with them to get the less-capable rigs through.
North and south road to Capps crossing to alder to silver fork all the way back to slypark is all gone now the caldor fire destroyed the whole area