TORCH TRAIL REVIEW #017 | LONG CANYON 4X4 (SIERRA NEVADA, CA)

Thinking about taking your rig deep into the Northern California backcountry? Tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains southwest of Lake Tahoe, the Long Canyon 4WD Trail serves up a true Sierra off-road experience. Exiting near Strawberry, CA in the Eldorado National Forest, this intermediate route transitions from dense pine corridors to rugged granite slabs, creek crossings, and technical rock washouts.

Trail Overview

How difficult is Long Canyon 4x4 Trail? Long Canyon is rated a solid intermediate trail. It's a backcountry mountain climb that demands full driver focus. The trail features steady elevation gain, eroded ruts, and off-camber lines created by seasonal runoff. While it isn't a technical rock-crawling trail, the mix of tight tree squeezes and exposed granite outcroppings will quickly test your vehicle's ground clearance, tire placement, and suspension travel.

The Terrain

• Dense Pine Forests: The trail winds through tight forest corridors where fallen trees, low branches, and narrow clearances are common.
• Exposed Outcroppings: Sierra granite slabs and rock ledges require strategic placement and reliable tires for traction.
• Eroded Mud Ruts: Heavy seasonal water flow carves deep ruts into the trail that can catch low-slung components.
• Seasonal Creek Crossings: Small streams and mud pockets cross the trail during spring and early summer runoffs, adding an extra layer of traction challenge.

Lexus GX470 Off-Road Review

Scouting Long Canyon with Chad from @SoccerMomOffroad in a Lexus GX470 equipped with a 2.5" suspension lift kit and 33-inch tires demonstrated why a properly equipped rig is a necessity for this route:

• Wheelbase & Stance: Navigating a mid-size SUV platform over the uneven granite ledges showed how essential a lifted stance is for protecting body panels on this kind of terrain.
• Off-Camber Rut Control: The 33-inch tires provided clearance when crawling through eroded washouts, preventing the underbelly from dragging.
• Clearance Warning: Chad advises against taking a basic stock 4x4 on this route. Without elevated ground clearance, stock side steps and low factory skid plates are vulnerable to damage.

Tips From the Scout

• Air Down: Airing down your tires is strongly advised. Lowering pressure gives you the necessary grip over smooth granite outcroppings and cushions your rig over deep ruts.
• Pick Smart Lines: Take your time on the ruts and washouts. Angling your tires over the high points keeps your undercarriage from high-centering in the deeper ruts.
• Don't Go Solo: Rated as a moderate or intermediate difficulty trail, Long Canyon can prove tricky if you get bound up on a rock or stranded in a deep rut. Bringing a buddy rig or recovery gear will help you out of a tight spot.

Is a Lift Kit Required for Long Canyon?

A lift kit isn't strictly mandatory, but a 2.5" or greater lift is recommended. Stock-height 4x4s face a high risk of underbody damage, and the trail can punish vehicles with insufficient clearance. To tackle Long Canyon cleanly, your rig should meet these guidelines:

• Lifted Stance: A suspension lift kit is strongly recommended to clear deep mud ruts, washouts, and granite ledges.
• 33-Inch+ All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain Tires: Larger tires are essential for under-diff ground clearance and traction on rock steps.
• Stock 4x4 Warning: A stock 4x4 with low factory clearance is not recommended due to high risk of underbody and rocker panel damage. Upgraded "Trail Edition" rigs or factory all-terrain packages may be sufficient.

Summary Stats

The trail runs through the Eldorado National Forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains, southwest of Lake Tahoe, with an exit near Strawberry, CA.

• Location: Sierra Nevada Mountains (Southwest of Lake Tahoe / Exits near Strawberry, CA)
• Difficulty: Intermediate (Not recommended for solo beginners)
• Distance: ~5.2 miles
• Terrain: Dense pine forest, exposed granite slabs, mud ruts, and seasonal creek crossings
• Recommended Setup: Lifted 4x4, 33"+ tires, and low-range 4WD

The Verdict

Long Canyon delivers a quintessential Sierra Nevada off-road adventure, blending forest wheeling with wide-open vistas near Lake Tahoe. If you're looking for a backcountry drive that puts your suspension to work and tests your line choices, Long Canyon belongs on your California trail list.

A huge thank you to Chad for charting this route and showcasing what an upgraded Lexus GX470 can do in the Sierra backcountry! Head to @SoccerMomOffroad for more trail reviews and camping adventures.

Tackling granite and deep forest trails requires a confident stance and reliable suspension travel. Is your rig built for the Sierra Nevada backcountry?

👉 Shop TORCH Off Road Suspension Lift Kits

Where are you wheeling next? Drop your favorite local trail in the comments and tag us @torchoffroad - we're always scouting the next episode! -TORCH