The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Burcham Flat Road in California

Burcham Flat Road is a very scenic alternative to US-395, through the Walker River Canyon, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.

Burcham Flat Road

Where is the Burcham Flat Road?

The road, also known as Forest Road 31, is located near the town of Coleville, in the east-central part of California, within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The area is remote and isolated; bears and mountain lions frequent the area.

Is the Burcham Flat Road unpaved?

The road is totally unpaved, narrow, pretty steep, and covered with loose gravel. If you are an experienced rider, you should be fine; if new at it, you can do it, but it could be challenging.

How long is the Burcham Flat Road?

The scenic drive is 23.97 km (14.9 miles) long, running from Eastside Ln to US-395. It’s steep, hitting a 12% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It provides access to Lobdell Lake.

Is the Burcham Flat Road open in winter?

Set high in the Sweetwater Mountains, in the Topaz Lake Valley, the road tops out at 2,470m (8,103ft) above sea level and is usually accessible from May until November only.
Pic: David Goulart

 

 

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