Lightning Ridge

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views

The trail ascends Lightning Ridge providing views of Scott Mountain, Onion Valley, Garden Valley, Crouch, and the surrounding mountains and valleys. There are some short stretches of the trail that are steep, rocky, and/or boggy. Overall the trail is an amazing ridge hike that will take you from Deadwood Reservoir to Garden Valley.

In August 1986, the Lightning Creek drainage and the last few miles of trail near the west trailhead were the northern edge of the 18,500-acre Anderson Creek Fire.

The trail begins in a forest of lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir. The trail crosses Daisy Creek about 1.5 miles in then parallels Trail Creek for about 3-miles before ascending steeply to Lightning Ridge. The ridge offers great views of the surrounding mountains. The trail then descends steeply to Onion Valley, crosses Onion Creek and then soon afterward intersects with the Onion Valley Trail. Another climb leads to views of Scott Mountain and its lookout. Then you'll pass through the area burned by the Anderson Creek Fire. Finally, follow the ridge for several miles and then descend to FS 611.