Reviewed by: John ,  Cross Country Rider , from Bay Area

Summary:
The first 2 miles are,as described, "mega steep". Rideable the whole way but your legs will be burning. You'll swear your odometer must not be working because those 2 miles take a LONG time (approx. 45 minutes). The view from the top is amazing though. The descent to the river is fast and loose. More like a wide single track than a road. The single track along the river is very fun-vast majority is rideable and the views of the river below are spectacular. Wear bug spray! Anytime I was riding less than 5 mph I was plagued by gnats and mosquitos. Okay, maybe it was because I had just been camping for 3 days in Yosemite without a shower but,still...

There's a "For Sale" sign on Savage's so maybe the new owners will be more bike friendly. I didn't see a single person on the trail. It appeared to be very lightly used. I'm not entirely sure if the singletrack is officially legal. The sign at Savage's indicates no bikes and there is a sign approx. .9 from Savages indicating the same. The climb behind the Cedar Lodge is definitely legal and there are no other signs other than the ones just mentioned(?) This is National Forest so it seems like it should be legal.

Bottom line: this is a fun, beautiful ride but it will tax you.

Recommended Route:
same as above. Excellent description. Parking 1 mile west of Cedar Lodge shortens the road time at the end of the ride. Park by a good swimming hole. You'll definitely want to jump in.

Reviewed by: Green Phantom , from Yosemite

Summary:
While I prefer to lay low and comply with private property owner's wishes, I sometimes have to take a stand and resist or cajol their point of view through direct action. I ride the trail from Cedar Lodge until reaching the private property and from that point on portage (that's right you whining sissys-carry the bike) hoping they will see me and better yet, confront me. I do want to get along, never even go there except on foot from March to late June or July and ALWAYS defer to hikers from a safe distance, walking if need be. So far, no luck getting "caught" but after all I am Green Phantom. Share the trail, Have fun, Learn the flowers GF

Recommended Route:
Same as above

Reviewed by: granny , from merced

Summary:
Please don't ride the single track by the river from March through the summer months. Many people love to hike this trail in the Spring in order to see the wildflowers and bikes on the trail would be a danger to everyone.

Recommended Route:
Hi there bike riders

Reviewed by: rad dude , from here

Summary:
as of 10/01 the road up and over from cedar lodge had been graded. NO MORE brush! it is clear and great riding with big berms.

Recommended Route:
same as above

Reviewed by: Ben Montoya , from Mariposa

Summary:
I love this trail. Plain and simple.
Seriously, though-please don't come out at savage's. I don't want to see this beautiful trail closed for such a silly reason.
Other than that, enjoy.
Ben

Recommended Route:
Good description above (from cedar lodge)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Apperson mine road (from Jerseydale) to the vista point above the south fork and savage's (a few thousand feet up), with the beautiful view of el capitan.