Turkey Creek Trail #34: Forest Road 4408

[PrestonSands]

Has anyone driven up to the end of of Forest road 4408 above Happy Valley Road? We are looking to hike the Turkey Creek Trail #34 up to the Mica Mountain area, and I am curious if one could drive to the end of the road at 4600 feet without (for example) puncturing an oil pan. My vehicle is a stock 4x4 4Runner. Thank you!

[DixieFlyer]

@PrestonSands
I drove it 2.5 years ago in a stock Tacoma. However, I recall seeing a blurb from the forest this past winter saying that the road had deteriorated to such an extent that only an OHV could drive it....but perhaps the road has been repaired since then

I just now went to the Coronado farcebook page, did a search for "Turkey CreeK", and found this post from Feb 17 of this year:

"Road conditions update for the Santa Catalina Ranger District in the Rincon Mountains:
Due to winter weather effects, Forest Service Road 35 now takes you along a dirt road through puddles and across rocks to the Miller Creek Trail #28. It is recommended for high-clearance vehicles only. From there, you can continue on Forest Service Road 4408 to Turkey Creek Trail #34. This road is extremely weather-worn and is only recommended for OHVs in its current condition. "

[PrestonSands]

Thank you @DixieFlyer!
After driving 4408 yesterday, I’d mostly agree with the Forest Service update. High clearance and 4x4 is required for upper trailhead access. Specifically, there is one hill (visible on satellite) that is halfway up the 4408 that is too steep to be sustainable (a less steep bypass needs to be built around this hill ideally). This hill is only about 100 feet long but is so steep (25% grade?) that tire-spin out grooves have eroded into huge dips. I was able to bypass on the far left (going uphill) by driving on the shoulder of the road in 4 Low.

[DixieFlyer]

@PrestonSands
I remember that hill. I am pretty sure that I was in 4LO to climb it.

[big_load]

This hill is only about 100 feet long but is so steep (25% grade?) that tire-spin out grooves have eroded into huge dips.

That sounds like the kind of thing that can only get worse.

[chumley]

I don't recall needing low range in May 22. Our group arrived in a 4Runner and Tacoma. Indeed there is at least one hill (I think there was a second one that was a little spicy too?) where further deterioration could make it increasingly difficult. I suppose the only real hope is if the local rancher has any need to be back up that far in which case he might put in some effort to improve those tough spots.

[ShatteredArm]

Haven't been up this year, but drove up the road twice last spring, I rated it "easy" with the Jeep Wrangler (the climb up to gain the ridge required a little attention). Not sure I'd want to go up that hill in a 4runner, though.