Hites Cove OHV Trail

Hites Cove OHV Trail (Forest Trail #19E200) is a motorized route in the Bass Lake Ranger District of Sierra National Forest, climbing above the South Fork Merced River canyon near El Portal. It shares a name with the well-known Hite Cove hiking trail along the river, but that one is foot traffic only — this is a separate, dedicated off-highway-vehicle route with its own trail number and its own rules.

What to Expect

Trail-tracking sources put the route at roughly four to five miles with a sustained, rocky climb and more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate difficulty. Expect a rougher, less-maintained tread than a marked visitor trail — this is OHV terrain, not a paved forest road. A crossing partway through is only passable when water levels are low, so check conditions before committing, especially early in the season.

Season and Closures

This is a designated red-sticker route, meaning the riding season for non-current-model OHVs generally runs October through May rather than year-round — confirm current California OHV sticker rules before you load up. The trail has also seen extended shutdowns before: it stayed closed for about three years after the 2018 Ferguson Fire due to rockfall and landslide risk, and Sierra National Forest closes trails region-wide during periods of high fire danger. Call the Bass Lake Ranger District at (559) 877-2218 for current status before you head out.