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Shell Road Rec Area
1 reviews
3 of 5
Singletrack, jeep trails and dirt road. Fun beginner to intermediate stuff.
The Shell Road Recreation Area is off of Rawhide Road that runs
between Jamestown and Hwy. 49, North of Sonora. If you take Rawhide Road from either direction,
Shell Road takes off to the West at a 90 degree corner. Take this to the end of the pavement and park in
the cul-de-sak. Over the cattle guard on a dirt road, head West and look for a jeep trail on your left (or
South). This leads to a singletrack ditch trail that parallels the main dirt road. If you head East the ditch
trail goes almost to the intersection of Rawhide and Shell Rds, then ends. Head in the other direction
(west) and the trail leads to the Grotto, a popular spot for local rock climbers. Look for a trail that
heads towards the cliffs, up and to the left, if you want to hike to the top of Table Mountain and a great
view. You can ride almost to the top. Heading West, the ditch trail peters out and you can jump on the
power line road till that ends. Eventually you'll end up back on the main dirt road that parallels the
ditch trail. As this road crests a ridge, in a large meadow, look for a turnstile through the barb wire
fence and a dirt road that heads North. This is BLR land and the dirt road, after a few miles and a right
turn, takes you to the dam overlook. A really cool spot. I've heard that there is also a trail down to the
old parking lot for people that wanted to drive to the bottom of the dam. This was assessable from
O'byrnes Ferry Road, but is closed now. I understand that local horse people, who made these trails,
are trying to get it open again. From there you could make your way across the dam and to the spill
way, where they quarried the rock for the dam, and that's impressive in itself and a great place to
crystal hunt.
Summary: We got a flat early on and ended up hiking most the trail pushing our bikes. I had extra tubes but didn't feel like changing the bad for the good, so we enjoyed a beautiful hike... The area is great wi stellar views of the lake with many meadows full of wild flowers. about half way up the trail was being plowed for some reason- BLR doing some work I imagine.. Great Beginner trail for sure - some fun little down hill spots.
Recommended Route: We stayed on the main trail, however there appeared to be single tracks branching off that I saw hikers on, no postings about legality of riding on singles so it must be allowed.
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