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South Cow Mountain
Alt Names South Cow Mountain Recreation Area, South Cow Mountain OHV Area, Ukiah, Talmage, Mill Creek Rd, Clear Lake, Mend Lake Rd, Lake Mendocino
Last Known Status Open
DESCRIPTION
This trail system is recommended mainly for experienced riders. The trails range from deep rutted single track with tight switchbacks and mud holes, to extremely sharp rocky sections near the peaks that will tear up your tires a bit.

The access road is narrow and winding, and is not recommended for RVs or long trailers. All trails are looped, and there is a nice swimming hole downstream from where trail 6 meets 24. Maps are available at each of the staging areas, which have loading docks and restrooms.

This area is most crowded in the fall, and the ruts and mud holes get very deep in some places. The surrounding area has 25,000 acres for hiking and mountain biking. Detailed Trail Map.



LOCATION
Nearest City Ukiah, CA
GPS Coordinates N 39º 06.238' W 123º 05.490'
Go Back To California List
Street Map
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: San Francisco, CA

1) 101 N to Ukiah
2) Just before Ukiah, take Talmage exit (Route 222) turn right (east) off ramp
3) Travel 1.5 miles
4) Turn right on Eastside Dr
5) Take first left on Mill Creek Rd
6) Follow Mill Creek Rd all the way up the canyon to the staging area (Follow the signs to South Cow Mountain Recreation Area)
7) Access road is steep & rugged & narrow with tight switchbacks. RV's and trailers not recommended.
AREA TYPE
Area Type Trail
Land Type BLM
QUALITY
Pros lot of single track, nice staging areas, swimming hole where trail 6 meets 24, maps at staging area, loading docks, looped trails
Cons deep ruts, some very rocky sections, rugged access road, only 10 camp sites, tough to get an RV in. two way trails - very tight
Rating Rating    Very Good
Recommended Stay 1-2 Days
late sppring when creeks flow
TERRAIN
Square Miles 4
Miles Of Trail 200
Climate Type Forest
Elevation 800 to 4000 ft.
Trail Maintenance Not Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose Dirt This trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard Pack The trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
Sand This trail has no sandy areas.None
Mud The trail has some mud after it rains.Some
Dust The trail has little dust on typical days.Little
Rocks This trail has some rocks.Some upper elevation trails are very rocky
Trees The trail has many trees.Many
Steep Hills This trail has many steep hills.Many
Water Crossings The trail has few water crossings.Few
Small Jumps This trail has some small jumps.Some
Large Jumps This trail has few large jumps.Few
Berms The trail has some berms.Some
Sand/Gravel Pits This BLM land has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single Track This BLM land has many single track trails.Many beware steep climbs with sharp cut-backs
Roads This BLM land has some roads.Some
Intersections This trail has some intersections.Some
Rider Traffic The BLM land has some rider traffic on typical days.Some busy in late spring & fall, slow in summer
Shade This BLM land has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/Gunfire This BLM land has some shooting ranges or gunfire.Some
Hazards This trail has some hazards.Some (hazards not marked)
very deep rust (waist high), huge mud holes
Novice Terrain This trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Amateur Terrain This trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Expert Terrain This trail has some expert terrain.Some
Comment target practice at N.Cow Mountain, S.Cow Mountain open to hunters all year
MX TRACK
Features Public
Max Engine Size No Maximum
Min Engine Size No Minimum
GPS Coords N 39º 06.321' W 123º 04.106'
Comment Practice Track
REGULATIONS
Permit Required Yes CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open trails closed for wet weather, red sticker permitted year round CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Spark Arrestor Yes A spark arresting silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit Yes (96 dB) CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Night Riding No quiet hours at dusk
Flags Not Required
Two Strokes Certain Times CA OHMVR restrictions apply
Cross Country Prohibited
ATVs Some Areas CA OHMVR stickers required
some trails too narrow, quads prohibited
UTVs Some Areas CA OHMVR stickers required
4x4s (registered) Some Areas
Unregistered Cars/4x4s/Buggies Some Areas CA OHMVR stickers required
Bicycles No Restriction Not Recommended
Hiking No Restriction Not Recommended
North Cow Mountain is for non-OHV
Horseback No Restriction Not Recommended
Camping Some Areas (camp in developed sites only)
Red Mountain Camp
Campfires Some Areas (permitted in developed campsites only)
Alcohol No Restriction
Fireworks Prohibited
Firearms Some Areas
Law Enforcement Few/Periodic Jeep/SUV Patrol
FEES
Parking Fee No ($0.00)
Entry Fee No ($0.00)
Riding Fee No ($0.00)
Camping Fee No ($0.00)
KEY SERVICES
First Aid 5-20 Miles (NW) hospital
Ukiah Valley Medical Center (707) 462-3111
Gasoline 5-20 Miles (NW) Chevron/Ukiah (707) 462-9065
Diesel 5-20 Miles (NW) Chevron/Ukiah (707) 462-9065
Water On Site potable water
RV Hookup 20-30 Miles (NE) Pine Acres Resort (707) 725-2811
RV Disposal Ukiah, CA Lots of RV camping at Lake Mendoccino
Campground On Site Red Mountain Campground
Conv Store Ukiah, CA Talmage
Swim Area 1-5 Miles (E) Scotts Creek/Willow Creek
Water Body 1-5 Miles (E) Scotts Creek/Willow Creek
Boat Ramp 5-20 Miles (N) Lake Mendocino
CONTACTS
Contact Info CA BLM - Ukiah Field Office
2550 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-4000
www.blm.gov
GPS POINTS

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

Keep an eye out for deep ruts.
South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

There are plenty of deep mud puddles that are fun to go through.
South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

There are plenty of deep mud puddles that are fun to go through.
South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

Some of the trails get pretty rocky.
South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

South Cow Mountain Trail Photo

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