Lion Gulch Trail
Lion Gulch Trail (4W332)
Distance: 2.1 miles
Approx Running time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: More Difficult
The Lion Gulch Trail runs north up hill from the FS-9712-113 road to the top of the ridge to meet the Billy Goat Gulch Trail (4W339). The trail starts off of the 113 road with a steady hill climb that is fairly easy and the first few hundred yards will have you wondering why it has a 'More Difficult' rating as there is little challenge, however, the fun lies ahead. At the top of the first hill a trail cuts to the right and climbs to the top of a knoll, however this is where it ends so there is little point in driving up there. Continue around to the left on the main trail and shortly you will come to the first of several very steep hill climbs and descents. The trail climbs up onto a knoll and then rides the ridge line north. Shortly after this first climb you come out on what appears as an old forest service road, continue straight ahead on the trail. At .8 miles there is a "Y" in the trail. Staying left will take you up another very steep hill climb, the right bypasses the climb and meets the main trail on the other side of the hill. Shortly after this the trail will again come to a "Y". This time there is no choice, you must stay to the left and take the hill climb as the trail to the right is a dead end. At the top of this hill climb though is a strange grouping of large rocks you must crawl over. Take a minute to get out of your rig and scout your line as the climb up and over the rocks will have you a bit off camber and you will not be able to see the trail ahead from here. At just under 1.6 miles on the trail you will again be presented with a fork in the road. Keep left and continue on. At 1.8 miles the trail drops onto another forest service road. Turning right will lead to a dead end. Turn to the left and you are almost immediately at another fork in the road. To the left the 4W332 trail will take you up to join the 4W339 trail, to the right will stay on the forest service road which you can use to exit back down to FS-9718 Cougar Gulch Road.
Getting There:
Turn off of Hwy97 onto Liberty Road and proceed 1.4 miles towards the town of Liberty. Just before entering the town, turn left onto FS9712 (Lion Gulch Rd.). Follow FS9712 for 1/2 mile and bear right onto the 113 road which is a very little used road that resembles a 4x4 trail itself. Just after a mile on the 113 road you will come to the trail head for 4W332 on the right.
GPS Data File: Lion Gulch.zip
(includes .txt, .gpx and .gdb files for both Lion Gulch and Billy Goat Gulch trails.)
Printable Map: Lion Gulch.pdf (3.7mb)
Camping:
