Mosquito Road and El Dorado National Forest

El Dorado national forest is an amazing landscape full of vibrant evergreens, crystal clear streams and lakes. I also consider it my back yard :-). One of the benefits of living in Sacramento.  Mosquito road is actually a fairly simple drive on a fire road that is for the most part in decent shape. If it had not been raining for the last few days prior to our trip I think staying with the WJ's all wheel drive mode would have been plenty sufficient. However, given the rain we encountered I was happy to have option to lock the center differential.


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One of the best parts of this drive is going across the bridge at the south fork of the american river, it is a single lane bridge and only supports one vehicle at a time. It is an absolutely breathtaking river with spectacular granite formation and gorgeous backdrop:

There are very few spots along the bridge to stop, so if you see an opening take it! It is worthwhile to stop and admire the scenery! If you do decide to head down to the river be very careful as there is not a secure way down to the water.

You will drive for a while longer after the bridge before you hit dirt, from then on you cross by a few other water features before finally getting to Wentworth Springs road and stumpy meadows.

This is a pretty basic drive in the forest. I always feel safer in a four wheel drive vehicle, but an AWD station wagon, or a 2wd SUV could easily take this on... weather permitting.  When we went the red dirt had turned soft and the highway tires I had on the WJ at that point in time did their fair share of slipping...the red clay also forever stained the underside of that poor truck!

***Before going on any trail please check with the local ranger station as conditions do of roads do change!!***