Road to Sore Heel Parking at RRG PMRP

'NOTE: Access to many crags in the PMRP may be problematical without a high-clearance vehicle.'

So, if I drive carefully can I get to the Sore Heel Parking in a standard car?

Coming for my 1st visit to the red in mid November and psyched on visiting this region and need to know what is the deal here. If I can't reach that parking lot with standard car, is there an reasonable way to walk in?

I've never seen a 'standard car' park all the way back at Sore Heal. But I've heard it's done. I balded 2 tires and cracked a distributer cap years ago trying to spin tires up the Motherlode hill, so I don't park down there. Usually you can find a ride in a high clearance vehicle from Miguels any day. It's a long walk from top of 'Lode hill, and there have been several car break-ins in that area again this fall.

Is a Subaru Impreza (or the like) a high clearance vehicle? If not, I've seen many of those down there. It all depends on the rain fall and if the road is washed out or not. Usually the road to the Lode parking lot gets re-graded but the road to Sore Heel is left alone causing some unsightly ruts. I would say hitch a ride from Miguel's.

I have seen tons of low clearance cars back in the sore heel parking lot but I wouldn't recommend it, my friend usually bottoms out at least once. My subaru outback is fine though you just have to take it slow.

You can also just park in the motherlode parking lot and walk the road to soreheel, there is now a cut off trail 100 yards down the road from the motherlode that takes you right to sore heel. It is just as fast as driving and avoids the worst of the road. The steep hill to get out at the end of the day is in pretty good shape and should be no problem in a small car.

Oh and lots of break-ins lately so plan accordingly..

Thanks!

Eric Dorsey wrote:You can also just park in the motherlode parking lot and walk the road to soreheel, there is now a cut off trail 100 yards down the road from the motherlode that takes you right to sore heel. It is just as fast as driving and avoids the worst of the road.

+1, this hike is pleasant, flat, and easy. Hike down the road toward Sore Heel from the Motherlode and cross the wooden bridge on the right. Stay on this trail for about 5 minutes and the first trail you come to on the right is for What About Bob, otherwise stay straight and you will be in the Sore Heel parking lot. Great way to warm up for the day, but I doubt many of the normal RRG climbers will opt for the scenic hike.

Been to the SoreHeel parkinglot in my Accord twice with no problems. Both previous times bone dry. Wouldn't even attempt it if there was a recent rain.

Was there last week from Sun-Thurs. Tried to get down to Sore Hollow in my Accord on Tuesday, but after the ML parking pulloff (and before the right turn), it got REAL muddy (even though there had been no rain for almost a full week). Went half way through before stopping and throwing it in reverse (a puddle that covered the entire road and was at least 15ft long, was a bit scary).

Ended up instead climbing at Chocolate Factory. Loompa was a highlight of the trip.

Wasn't aware the bridged path led to what about bob and sorehollow parking. will file that away for future use.

Loompa is great. Try Oompa and Glass Elevator also. They both stay dry in the rain. The Glass Elevator is technical and exciting.

This past weekend (Oct 14 through 16), the road just past The Lode Parking was very muddy and had large puddles for about 200 yards. Car-passable though for those who are skilled and adventurous since the Sore Heel Parking was full, with an assortment of cars and SUVs.
We, instead, chose to park at The Lode, walk though the muck on the road, and took the new trail straight to Sore Heel Parking. This trail is level, in excellent condition, and only took us about 7 minutes to walk from its head (wooden bridge) to Sore Heel Parking. A big thanks to RRGCC and all who were involved in its building and maintenance.

I followed a civic hybrid out in a rain storm last fall and he made it just fine.