2007 Corral Hollow Trip

Corral Hollow Annual Spring Run

Hot Tub
It was about a month ago and Raylene (My Wife) came up to me about 3:30 and said lets go for a run to Corral Hollow.

Map Of Trail

Every year in late spring we make a pilgrimage up Highway 4 to run Corral Hollow. This time of the year is beautiful the mountain cabbage is in bloom and the weather is nice. It’s a great time we make a pick nick and take a 4 hour long trip in the loop. This year would not disappoint us.



We have just got a new dog and he needed some wheeling time. If you’re going to be part of the Wheelingpiazzas you better like to wheel. We loaded up the 60 and headed up the highway.

It was later that we usually hit the road but that meant less dust and my wife made us a light snack for the trip, so that meant that we would not miss dinner. Finally after 30 minutes it was time to lock the hubs.

Wife Dog and Cruiser Can it get any better

Winding through the trees

The first part of the trail (Corral Gulch) you maneuver through ruts and trees. Nothing too hard, in fact if you’re locked you don’t even need to engage the t-case. We navigated through the trees without incident; we just kept it slow and crawled our way through. There is a couple of nice spots to walk and check out a creek. We got out and took some pictures, I wish I would have brought my trunks and sat in the natural hot tub See hot tub picture above.

When your out of the trees the next part is a long steep loose gravel road that cuts right through the poppy and cabbage meadows. As far as you can see yellow flowers, they go on and on. What a beautiful sight. As you climb the last part you probably will need to engage the t-case. The rocks are loose and your tires want to spin. We locked the hubs and ascended the hill. The reward is an awesome view of Bear Valley proper

The Long Steep Hill

We stopped at the overlook and enjoyed the view. It was beautiful mild early evening. The wind was gentle and temperature was about 75 degrees. After enjoying the view for a while and letting the dog go for his walk we decided to move ahead.

Next obstacle is Corral Hollow; you wind through the pines and enjoy the nice view. It was about this time that we say a nice sized coon and then shortly after we saw a good size doe running along the 60. Very beautiful……

After you go through Corral Hollow you start the decent through the Aspens on your way to Bear Trap Basin. The Aspens are my favorite tree; they are awesome when the wind blows the leaf’s twinkle back and forth. It’s Very beautiful indeed.

After the Aspens next up is bear trap gap and bear trap basin. This area is open long range viewing. It is a Great place with large meadows and beautiful views. Finally up is the forest service cabin.
Deer Look Carefully

The forest service cabin is a place you can stay for no charge. Its an old cabin with sleeping quarters and a safe haven for packers if its raining or a early fall snow. Don’t ask how I know……

Forest Service Cabin

The best part is the log book in the cabin. We sign it annually and enjoy this place quite a bit. This was a good place to have the snack my wife brought.
We hiked a bit and found a creek that actually cut through a tree, its about a short walk from the cabin and really cool to see.

Cabin Close Up

The 60 was performing awesome great family wheeler. The kids are comfortable my wife is happy because the kids are not sitting on top of us (like in the Jeep). The dog was happy because he had the entire back of the rig to himself. Like I said there is nothing better that wheeling with my family in the 60.

Then after a while it was time to move on. The rest of the trail is pretty normal and runs along a dirt road. All in all it was another wonderful year on the Corral Hollow trail.

We will see you on the trail
Paul