California
ModerateOnion Valley to Horseshoe Meadows — Eastern Sierra High Country Traverse
Sierra fault scarp, Alabama Hills, no crowds.
Trail Type: High Clearance
California
ModerateCougar Buttes Road — Johnson Valley OHV Area to Pioneertown via High Desert Bench
Mojave bench run to an outlaw film-set town.
Oregon
ModerateLakeview to Quartz Mountain — Fremont-Winema High Lake Country Connector
High ponderosa lake country above Oregon's driest city.
California
ModerateChimney Peak Backcountry Byway — Canebrake Road to Chimney Peak via Lamont Peak Divide
Southern Sierra desert ridge with zero crowds.
Oregon
ModerateSheldon National Wildlife Refuge Loop — Nevada-Oregon High Desert Rim
Oregon's forgotten plateau. Pronghorn. Hot springs. No signal.
California
ModerateBunny Flat to Sand Flat — Mount Shasta Volcanic Rim Road
Shasta's flanks, pumice, and zero mercy.
Oregon
DifficultRogue River Back Road — Prospect to Agness via Wild Rogue Canyon Rim
Wild Rogue canyon. One lane. No room for error.
California
ModerateMendocino Pass Road — Eel River Divide to Covelo via Coast Range Crest
Coast Range crest. No crowds. No signal.
USA
EasyTranscontinental Railroad Grade Road — Promontory Summit to Golden Spike NHS
Where the golden spike met the great desert.
Oregon
ModerateNestucca River Road — Coast Range Corridor to Beaver via Pacific City Backroads
Oregon's quiet coast range river run.