Reviewed by: PH , from Ukiah, CA

Summary:
This is a ride for the fit and the well prepared. The reason it takes 7 hours to ride 41 miles has to do with the effects of altitude and some long uphill sections. The first climb from the cars gains 3500 feet in 6 miles. The views from the top of Hull Mtn.(el. 7000 feet) are incredible! Along the ridge route, north of Hull, are views of the Sierras, the Central Valley and if it is clear, the ocean. The country looks like a cross between the coastal mountains and the Sierras with peaks to 8000 feet. Red Fir forests and alpine meadows up high with Pine and Oak forest in the lower areas. Great country!
It really is a remote area. Even though we were on dirt roads the whole way, we only saw one car for the first 39 miles. This is definitly an epic ride! Not technical, but challenging as a distance ride. If you like long rides in very wild country you'll love this one. The area also contains hundreds of miles of old jeep trails and some singletrack to explore. But take a map and compass, because you don't want to get lost.

Recommended Route:
As described above, park at the junction of Forest roads M1 and M6 near Lake Pillsbury. Head north on M1 for 19 miles to the junction of road M61. Head east on M61 for 7 miles to the junction of M6 and turn right (south). If you cross a river, you've missed the turn by a 1/4 mile. Continue on M6 back to your car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The Mendocino National Forest has hundreds of miles of jeep trails, singletrack and dirt roads. An undiscovered mountain biking paradise. You'll probably not see another mountain biker all day.