Review Date
September 6, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: OldSkoolBMXer ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is the trail that is going to make me finally give up on my beloved 9 year old Rockhopper. Let me say this...I would not recommend this trail to anyone riding with the combination of poorly adjusted cantilever brakes, a chronic seatpost slipping problem and worn out tires on a hardtail bike. After my 5th flat, I could no longer accept accept free tubes from passing riders in good conscience. I walked the last several miles out.
I was able to adress the issues of the brakes and seatpost with the use of my buddies multitool and a couple of large rocks. I found that I was much more confident once I could slow down without the use of my feet (duh), and stopping the rotisserie effect of my seatpost paid big dividends too.
Our wives dropped us off at the top of packer saddle and spent their time waiting for us back in town, which had enough small town charm to keep them happily occupied.
The ride was just the most incredible experience I've ever had on a mountain bike. I'm coming back as soon as I can with a more appropriate bike.
One word of advice...If you are planning to bring an inexperienced buddy with you on this trail, you might want to inspect his his rig before you go...I'm sure I saw my friend mouthing "Jackass" disdainfully, a couple miles into the ride.

Review Date
September 5, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: fyrman38 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
EPIC IS THE ONLY THING THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN I THINK OF THIS PLACE!!! THIS HAS GOT TO BE A 4.9999 ON THE CHILI SCALE. FINALLY MADE IT UP TO RIDE THIS PLACE AND IT WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE THAT I HAD EXPECTED. 17 MILES OF DOWNHILL THAT WILL TEST ALL YOUR SKILLS. WENT FOR TWO DAY TRIP AND EVERYTHING WAS GREAT, FROM THE PEOPLE IN TOWN, HOTEL I STAYED AT, THE BAR, AND BIKE SHOP. EVERY THING BUT MY BRO BREAKING TWO RIBS ON THE SECOND DIVIDE ON THE LAST DAY. HE MADE IT OUT ON HIS OWN SO EVERYTHING WAS COOL.

Recommended Route:
BUTCHER TO THE THIRD DIVIDE TO THE FIRST DIVIDE. TAKE SHUTTLE TO THE TOP. WE WENT WITH YUBA EXPEDITIONS AND THEY WERE REALLY GREAT. REALLY COOL GUYS.THANKS FOR EVERYTHING IF YOU READ THIS.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I DONT KNOW...

Review Date
July 16, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: adens13 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
one word...epic. this place kicks ass. from the 14 or so awesome miles of pure downhill singletrack, to the georgeous scenery, to the fact that you dont have to climb hardly at all. plan a trip soon, camp near by on 49 and take a shuttle with downieville outfitters. some people say SDF is better, they must be smokin somethin good. this place rips.

Recommended Route:
93-3 to butcher to 3rd divide to 1st divide. going again this week, gonna try a diff route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
dont know

Review Date
December 14, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: m-dub ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Heard about it for years and finally made it and just before the snow. Well showed just as the shuttle left town and wasnt sure if another one was going to run so armed with a map from a trail guide book from the early 90's we hit it on our own. The first 10 miles wondered on jeep roads and snow patches as we climbed for a few miles. The decent was rough two track that was fun but was starting to think it was over hyped. Well about that time we it the Trail head (we had taken the old route that is not really used anymore)and the fun began. You cross the river several times on bridges that I have no idea how the got the materals back there to build them. Nice tech sections, super flowy fast stuff, corners that you can just rail. Believe the hype.The trail rips. I dont see the need for a full DH rig? I rode a heckler and never needed more. My buddy was on a hardtail and no flats and still in one peice( passed a few DH rigs in the process) but did express his desire to have a bit more travel. Great for any trail bike not a super rough or steep DH trail by anymeans. We thought we had finished and through a few high fives and realized we could still hit first divide and teh flowy fun continued. Total of 25 miles of bliss, Well really about 17 because the first 7 or so was kinda tough.Ate some Pizza, talked to some great local people and checked out the really historic town. Cant wait to do it again!

Recommended Route:
Ask a local shop. Dont use a 14 year old trail guide book.

Review Date
August 29, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by: XCpro900 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Let's see...I guess I should start at the beginning.I arrived in Downieville early in the morning after staying the night in beautiful Nevada City,tired after driving down from Portland OR.(I wouldn't know what tired really was until that evening)Stopped into Downieville Outfitters for maps and a couple of shirts. After a BS secession with the owner of the shop he said "ever ride The Downhill", I coyly said "no?" he then preceded to tell me about it. I said "TAKE ME UP!" he said "Just You" then went on to explain if I wanted to wait till the afternoon he would take me up with a group. I'm too naturally wired "to wait" but did understand his situation. He hands me a map and showing me on his wall map says(with a _hit eating grin)"you can make the loop" OK..,I like loops, loops are good. He begins to explain...,go over the bridge UP out of town 5 miles to Union Flat, across the highway forest service road 93 takes off and UP 16 miles to Packer Saddle and the Butcher Ranch Trailhead(from town a long 4300 Ft.climb)and the start of "The Downhill" Having now, making it to the top with black nats in my face the whole way, I will admit walking from mm 5 to mm 4(cramps)where the road starts to flatten out and at least once thought about turning back but didn't determined to ride this Downhill. Being early in the season, on top there was snow. Sweaty, freezing and tired stopped to have lunch, 1 Powerbar, 1 Harvest Bar and a tube of protein paste, YUM! lunch of champs, Right?! Wondering if I had the energy to make it down off this mountain thought to myself"downhill, how much energy should that take, not much." WRONG AGAIN! About that time lunch kicked in and off I went, just me and my Jekyll and OH MY GOD! What an adventure. Down through,across creeks, some flowing down the trail, across rocks, WOW!! I'M ALIVE! What a run! What a rush! Came to a fork, took 2nd Divide Trail and thought the adventure was over, still wrong and on about my 5th wind it just kept on going. Tired as hell and at times thinking I was lost took trails and roads down, down, down back into town were I immediately got a relaxing motel room on the river at the Carriage House Inn, trying to explain to the lady at the desk where I had been and how tired I was, I think she thought I was speaking in tongues so I just said "FOOD" she pointed out a steak house and bar where I went directly after

Recommended Route:
ALL TRAILS GREAT, GO, IF YOU DON"T YOUR MISSIN OUT!!!!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
showering then went back and passed out.I got up the next morning, walked into the bike shop and said to the shop owner (with a _hit eating grin from ear to ear) MADE THAT LOOP! yeah, it took me 5 1/2 hrs. (but it was approximately 40 miles). He kinda looked a little suprised, I said, "what I lack in age(I'm not 21 anymore) and shape (damn beer belly)I make for it with determination and will power(mostly jus crazy) I DON'T NEED NO STINKIN SHUTTLE!!!!