When approaching the turnoff from U.S. 395, the sign will say Bircham Flat Road. The sign for road 41 will then be seen once you turn off.
When crossing Desert Creek on foot along road 115, be prepared to get wet up to your shins, or you can find a nice place to hop across about 30 yards upstream
The road to Boulder flat is extremely rough and only suitable for trucks or jeeps. If any other sort of vehicle, I strongly suggest parking in the small plateau at 8500 feet, as described on the Wheeler Peak page. Even getting there might be a challenge depending on your vehicle.
Firstly, this is a spectacular drive / hike and absolutely worth doing.
Some notes with regard to the road conditions (this was in early July, so expect snow and or more water earlier in the season):
Driving to Lobdell lake is rough in a few spots but easily passable with most 4 wheel drives with decent clearance. From here, more clearance is advised, and a short wheel based vehicle (jeep or side by side) is necessary to navigate the hairpins. Also, high center of gravity vehicles cannot manage the tilted road sections. From Lobdell, follow the road around the west side of the lake until you reach the outlet and dam on the south east side. There are some deeper water crossings and low clearance vehicles could take in some water. From here, take the road that follows the west bank of the creek southward until there is a creek crossing and shortly you will find a sign for Mt. Patterson. Do not go further unless you have a vehicle as described above. It's only about 3 to 3/12 miles from here to the summit so the hike is easy. My Wrangler easily made it to the summit and also across to Wheeler Peak along the summit ridge, with moderate care on hairpins and tilted sections.
keema - Aug 17, 2006 4:13 am - Voted 10/10
Some more info.When approaching the turnoff from U.S. 395, the sign will say Bircham Flat Road. The sign for road 41 will then be seen once you turn off.
When crossing Desert Creek on foot along road 115, be prepared to get wet up to your shins, or you can find a nice place to hop across about 30 yards upstream
gimpilator - Mar 30, 2015 2:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Boulder Flat approachThe road to Boulder flat is extremely rough and only suitable for trucks or jeeps. If any other sort of vehicle, I strongly suggest parking in the small plateau at 8500 feet, as described on the Wheeler Peak page. Even getting there might be a challenge depending on your vehicle.
Mtn Mike - Jul 7, 2021 7:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Lobdell Lake approach vehicle limitations.Firstly, this is a spectacular drive / hike and absolutely worth doing.
Some notes with regard to the road conditions (this was in early July, so expect snow and or more water earlier in the season):
Driving to Lobdell lake is rough in a few spots but easily passable with most 4 wheel drives with decent clearance. From here, more clearance is advised, and a short wheel based vehicle (jeep or side by side) is necessary to navigate the hairpins. Also, high center of gravity vehicles cannot manage the tilted road sections. From Lobdell, follow the road around the west side of the lake until you reach the outlet and dam on the south east side. There are some deeper water crossings and low clearance vehicles could take in some water. From here, take the road that follows the west bank of the creek southward until there is a creek crossing and shortly you will find a sign for Mt. Patterson. Do not go further unless you have a vehicle as described above. It's only about 3 to 3/12 miles from here to the summit so the hike is easy. My Wrangler easily made it to the summit and also across to Wheeler Peak along the summit ridge, with moderate care on hairpins and tilted sections.