Reviewed by: dj ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
WARNING: get ready to cyclocross for 100's of yard at a time - even with solid technical skills! OHVs have shredded much of the ridge leading to the lovely [thou just not long enough to be worth it] downhill if you do the full loop around Silver Lake!!!!!

Recommended Route:
do the Thunder Mtn [watch for hikers, etc] up and Horse Cyn down loop. Much of this is rideable, and you get most of the best downhilling in. Take it easy with the brakes, this route is already getting rutted from careless riders. DO NOT ride up from Silver Lk via Granite Lk to try and complete the longer loop, this is serious bike portage terrain! If you are dying to be out for hours and hours, either ride west on 88 up to the 4wd road on the rim around Silver, or try riding up the single track from the back end of Silver Lk [beware: motocross riders come Down this trail, how could this be legal?!]

Reviewed by: jonny ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a fun trail with great alpine scenery and technical rock-hopping. The initial climb to squaw ridge is on double-track, shared with ATV's, but still enjoyable and in good condition. Once reaching the ridge and turning east, the ride becomes much more technical and the number of ATV's drops off. There are a few bike pushing sections due to sand and steepness, but very short. Once reaching the horse canyon trail and dropping down the singletrack the trail becomes very challenging, with lots of boulders and drop-offs. The alpine flowers in July were fantastic as you pass through meadows beneath the ski-lift at Kirkwood. Towards Silver lake the trail smooths out and becomes much faster.

Recommended Route:
I started at Oyster creek picnic area, climed west up the hwy to Mud Lake road, then climbed the doubletrack past Allens camp. Turn left (east) along the ridge for a few miles until reaching the Horse Canyon trail on your left. Climbing on the trail around the backside of Silver lake may be a nicer option.

Reviewed by: REN , from Belmont

Summary:
I've been waiting years to do this ride and finally did this solo in July. I went counterclockwise, starting at Oyster Point CC, which gives you an easy downhill on the road back to the car. This ride is has killer views and great singletrack. I have ridden Moab a few times and this ride is up there with Porcupine Rim and Amasa Back/Hurra Pass. I'm surprised it is not more popular, being so close to Tahoe and the Bay Area. Avoid all the posers on the Flume Trail and Mr. Toads and drive over to Kirkwood. (Horse Canyon is on the back side of KW, the Kirkwood MTB park is also an excellent place to ride - you can ride up easily and avoid the ticket price and slow lift). If you go alone, make sure to bring 4 or 5 hours of tunes.

Recommended Route:
Horse Canyon

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kirkwood MTB park

Reviewed by: Michael , from Gardnerville, NV

Summary:
Lung busting ball busting ride. Walk alot on loose rocks and gravel. We went counter clockwise, I recommend clockwise. Great views of the backside of kirkwood and the Mokelumne Wilderness. 220 mi. ride 4 hours of riding. Bring food & water as there is none.
For a detailed map refer to South Lake Tahoe Basin map, Fine Edge Productions.

Recommended Route:
park @ the trail head of Horse canyon & ride east up the canyon to Emigrant trail to Allens Camp then down the single track towards Silver Lake.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kirkwood & Tahoe Rim trail