Trail Ride at Millwood OHV Area

Kevlar | August 15, 2009 | 0 Comments

Millwood OHV Stream Crossing

Last spring we had the chance to explore the Millwood OHV area on our side x sides. Millwood resides within the Hume Lake Ranger district in the Sequoia National Forest which contains over 150 miles of challenging 4wd trails and designated OHV routes. The Millwood staging area found at 36°44’42.96″N 119° 0’16.95″W (Google Maps) offers parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and dispersed camping. Unfortunately, the road to the staging area is narrow and winding so Toyhaulers and motor homes are not recommended.

The best time to ride this area is late spring, summer, or fall, AFTER the snow melts. On this early April day when record 100° temps hit Los Angeles we thought we would be snow free but it was not to be. The shady parts of the trail were covered in 12 to 18 inches of the white stuff. Most of it just took a little momentum and speed but as we climbed up to 5,600 feet we began to get stuck more and more. I never thought the tow strap would be so valuable in the forest.

Millwood OHV Snow Crossing

The original plan was to continue on the Abbot Creek trail until it reaches its peak at 7,000 feet, make our way to Cherry Gap and the Chicago Stump but it was not to be. We backtracked and found the lower elevation Goodmill OHV trail. This trail, just wide enough for a sidexside, meanders downhill and crosses several streams that feed into Flat Creek.

We continued on to find the trail cross Flat Creek where it turns and actually becomes part of the trail. This is actually easier than it looks and depending on the time of year you might not even get wet. In our case it was just deep enough to cover the floor boards of our Rhino. The rocks in the river are small enough not to cause issues. About the only technical part was the entrance into the river.

After the river crossing the trail begins a little climb and then continues the loop heading back toward the staging area. At about half way back we encountered this fallen tree blocking our path; one of the downsides of coming up before the forest service has a chance to clear the trail. Including a chain saw in your took kit might not be a bad idea on rides like this early in the season.

Millwood OHV

We backtracked and took a side trail for a few miles that eventually runs itself out. We then decided to head back via the Goodmill trail giving us another chance to cross Flat Creek. We eventually made it back to the staging area without any problems and made our way back to our trailers.

Millwood is a fun area to explore, so much so we plan to come back after the snow melts and the area officially opens. I would like to continue to explore up Abbot Creek Rd into the higher elevations and cross over into the Huckleberry meadow area above Hume Lake, so this ride will be continued.

The Millwood OHV area is located in the Sierra National Forest about 50 miles due east of Fresno Ca. From Hwy 99 exit Clovis Ave. Take Clovis Ave North to Hwy 180. Take Hwy 180 East. Stay on Hwy 180 for 45.2 miles until you reach Millwood Rd/Sequoia Lake left hand turn which is .7 miles past SR-245. Follow the signs. The staging area is about 2 miles from Hwy 180.