Chepo Saddle

Chepo Saddle sits in the Sierra National Forest north of Bass Lake, a short drive from Oakhurst on Forest Road 6S13 — a dirt-and-granite route that climbs toward 5,000 feet and works as a meeting point for three different kinds of trail users: 4x4 drivers, mountain bikers, and hikers walking the road on foot.

Three Ways to Cover the Ground

The route means something different depending on how you travel it:

• By 4x4: 6S13 runs from Road 222 to Sivils Ranch/6S11 and is rated a beginner-friendly stock-4x4 route — rutted dirt and small rocks that open onto granite slabs partway through. A side route called Chepo Slide adds real rock-crawling for lifted rigs.
• By mountain bike: The Chepo Saddle-to-Mary Jane route is about 12.8 miles with roughly 2,200 feet of climbing, rated difficult, with one technical rock section (a ride-around exists) before a steep, technical descent toward Willow Creek.
• On foot: AllTrails maps Chepo Saddle Road itself as a 7.4-mile out-and-back, rated moderately challenging, averaging around three and a half hours round trip.

Before You Go

This is backcountry, not a park facility. Access typically runs April 15 through December 15, weather and snow permitting, and there are no services at the saddle itself — pack out what you bring in, and check current Sierra National Forest / Bass Lake Ranger District conditions before you head up. Chepo Saddle sits outside Yosemite National Park's boundary, on the national forest land bordering it near Oakhurst.