Gross Reservoir FS 359

[dscowell]

Today I went up to Gross to scout out some camping. I've been up to the parking lot quite a bit to start hikes but I have never actually gone down the 4x4 trail. I had fun even by myself and was able to make it a little challenging to make things interesting. Traildamage rates the whole trail as a 2 which I'd agree with but some spots I'd put down as a 3. My truck handled just fine but a stock 4x4 might have some trouble on some spots if they take a harder line. I only drove down FS 359 and I think that is the only road that is really trail worthy the rest are just maintained dirt roads. Lots of spurs off the trail I wanted to do but had limited time.
Sorry in advance for the poor pictures they were taken on my phone as I was rolling down the trail.

Gotta start with the poser pic.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/32451507-16FA-4F89-B888-9E4ED8429205_zps8c0okmnu.jpg
Leaving the parking lot by the reservoir
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/5FCBE3C5-7DE8-485F-AFAE-22C2D70D3C10_zpsfkt3ydtj.jpg
359 R is closed
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/FCBD24E6-40DB-4C66-84B0-7250739B4975_zpspnkeazcj.jpg
Nothing to gnarly
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/61AB9625-45F6-44E7-9CE9-287D156E4E64_zps4qbohtc6.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/dscowell/media/4x4%20pictures/61AB9625-45F6-44E7-9CE9-287D156E4E64_zps4qbohtc6.jpg.html)
359 P is open
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/AEF44FAA-40E9-4F3A-8168-D7FEE33B2CF5_zpsvnaof5ta.jpg
The only action shots I got since getting action shots when you go alone is kinda hard
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/0980BB96-27A6-4149-9C6B-73E08ADC9BF6_zpseby68dqj.jpg
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/9945ECF8-6DEB-4441-963F-83B77BB7E9B3_zpsw4zifm2a.jpg
Increase in gnarliness
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/8D90CBB5-623B-47F1-A16D-B085A73EF494_zpsnd36heee.jpg
The gnarliest part doesn't look to bad in the picture but I doubt a subaru or anything low would make it up with out dragging.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/08FE6EBD-FC5B-4985-8C6B-7D1984812F20_zpslmruw4ti.jpg
359 A just leads to a camp spot
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag2/dscowell/4x4%20pictures/24E86C59-12CE-4058-BE22-B8DFD8C99BBD_zpsftmnrmwu.jpg

Nothing major but still had a good time. Did get really hot at one point when I got out to hike around go thing I had my sweatband in the truck!

[ILuvtheMountains]

It doesn't matter how hard the trail is, at least you got out into the hills for an afternoon. Find any good camping spots?

[The StRanger]

Just enjoy the Journey for what it is .

[dscowell]

I was just reporting back on the difficulty for anyone interested. I still had a lot of fun even if it was a fairly easy trail. And yep lots of good camping saw maybe 4 sites being used while I was there which is a great sign.

[Java]

That area is great! my wife has taken her 2012 Forester all the way to the end of that trail. She's hard on it, we're shopping for an Xterra for her to replace it. :)

[Shadowmaker]

That area is great! my wife has taken her 2012 Forester all the way to the end of that trail. She's hard on it, we're shopping for an Xterra for her to replace it. :)


Love those Xs... GF has one and it goes a ton of places. Off-road version has a rear locker and some bad ass lights that burn through the night.

[Ratz_09]

I had herd that they were planning on doing alot of grading to the trails that lead down to the lake maybe they have not gotten around to it this year.

[dscowell]

That's a bummer. It really isn't that bad as long as you are smart about it. They were doing a lot of cutting I got back from camping yesterday and every mourning we were woken up by chainsaws.