Brokeoff Divide to Feather River Canyon — Plumas National Forest High Divide Road
Sierra shelf road most Californians never find.
Most drivers blow through Quincy on Highway 70 and never look up. That’s a mistake. The Feather River Canyon backcountry road system cuts north from Bucks Lake Wilderness through dense fir and pine, climbing past Bucks Lake itself — one of the Sierra’s most underrated camp spots — before threading the ridge above the canyon’s 2,000-foot walls. The crux is a rocky descent on Forest Road 24N29X where loose shale and off-camber shelf road demand real attention; one tire off the edge and you’re looking at a very long day. Below, the North Fork Feather River runs clear and cold with some of California’s best wild trout water within walking distance of camp.
This is a moderate-to-difficult route depending on season — snow can linger on the upper divide into late June and return by October. High clearance is mandatory; a locking front differential makes the shale descent far less exciting. Cell service drops to zero past Bucks Lake. Fuel in Quincy before you leave — there’s nothing past town. Dispersed camping is available throughout Plumas National Forest. The payoff is real solitude and canyon views that most California overlanders have never seen.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7421 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Quincy, CA |
| Land manager | Plumas National Forest — Feather River Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but aggressive shelf sections and embedded rock on the divide push toward the limits of factory suspension. Skid plates are strongly advised — the trail will find your oil pan if you're sloppy.
When does the High Divide Road actually open after winter, and is October cutting it close?
Snow typically clears by early-to-mid July at the 7,400-foot high points, but early-season mud can be brutal on the softer sections. October is viable but watch the forecast — early Sierra storms have closed this corridor before the official closure date.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping in Plumas National Forest. Standard fire regulations apply — check current restrictions with the Feather River Ranger District in Quincy before you go, especially during dry years.
What's the gnarliest section and what actually makes it hard?
The shelf road segments dropping toward the Feather River Canyon are the crux — narrow, loose gravel, significant exposure, and no room to pass oncoming traffic. It's not technical rock crawling, but one bad line on a crumbling outside edge gets real serious real fast.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and should I worry about water sources?
Quincy is your last reliable fuel stop; top off there, roughly 20–30 miles from the start depending on your approach. Water crossings and alpine lakes exist along the route, but treat everything — cattle graze parts of this range and giardia is present.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.