Cow Mountain (Scotts Creek Staging)

Coordinates:  39° 2′ 29.346″N 122° 58′ 59.174″W  Map Link

Elevation: 1,485′

Description: Cow Mountain – or South Cow Mountain OHV – sits in BLM-managed land west of the town of Lakeport, CA and Clear Lake.  This area is at a much lower elevation than most areas at which we ride (highest elevation here is about 3,300 feet). The Scotts Creek staging area is along a creek bed at the lowest end (east) of the trail system, and it has plenty of room for a large crew. The staging area is located about 140 road miles from Livermore and takes about 3-3.5 hours to drive there, depending if you are towing or not. More info on the campground and trail system here.

Directions (from the Bay Area)

  1. From the East Bay, take I580 West to I680 North.
  2. Follow I680 North across the Benicia-Martinez Bridge — stay to the right after the toll booths.
  3. Continue north on I680 toward Cordellia for about 14 miles.
  4. Stay left at the I80-I680 interchange, and circle onto I80 West for 1.0 mile.
  5. Exit the I80 freeway onto Hwy 12
  6. Continue west on Hwy 12 for 5.7 miles
  7. Turn right (north) onto Hwy 12/Hwy 29 and continue for 30.8 miles
  8. Turn right onto Dunaweal Ln for 0.8 miles
  9. Turn left onto Silverado Trail N for 1.6 miles
  10. Turn right onto Hwy 29 (aka Calistoga Rd) and head north for 16.5 miles
  11. Turn left onto Bottle Rock Rd in Middletown. Head NW for 19.1 miles
  12. Turn left onto Hwy 29 and continue to Lakeport for 10.3 miles
  13. Take exit 103 at Scott Creeks Rd
  14. Turn left onto Scotts Creek Rd and travel 0.5 miles
  15. Left at Riggs Rd. Stay left in 0.1 miles and continue for 0.7 miles.
  16. Right on Scotts Creek Rd and continue to the creek staging in 2.4 miles

Directions (from the Central Valley)

  1. Take I5 North to Hwy 20 West at Williams
  2. West on Hwy 20 for 35.3 miles to Hwy 53
  3. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Hwy 53 southbound.
  4. Continue south on Hwy 53 for 7.5 miles to Lower Lake
  5. Turn right onto Hwy 29 and head west for 22.1 miles to Lakeport
  6. Take exit 103 at Scott Creeks Rd
  7. Turn left onto Scotts Creek Rd and travel 0.5 miles
  8. Left at Riggs Rd. Stay left in 0.1 miles and continue for 0.7 miles.
  9. Right on Scotts Creek Rd and continue to the creek staging in 2.4 miles

Hotels in area:

  • Closest hotels are in Lakeport

Other Information:

BLM Ukiah Field Office
2550 North State Street, Suite #2
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-4000