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Summary: This is the best trail I've ridden in California. Really amazing singletrack that you can go really go fast and still feel comfortable on. The initial climb is killer up to 8,000 feet elevation.
Rode this on Tuesday June 26, 2012 with my brother and didn't see a single mountain biker. Saw about 6 hikers in the last 3 miles.
I found this trail to be a perfect challenge for my skills as an advanced intermediate rider. There is one section near the end that turns into weird stairs and jarring drops, I did most of it but it kind of shook me - especially after being worn out and ready to finish. This section is not a deal breaker, you can easily walk this stuff and save your great memories of the trail.
The trail is not well marked. You just have to feel it out sometimes. Especially the last few miles. I was using BikeMapDude's Gold Country book and it got me through, but I wasn't too comfortable. Thankfully I read these previous reviews and people mentioning the various quirks.
If you are really scared about getting lost, download Cyclemeter for your smartphone. Then, go to http://cosmocatalano.com/strava-gpx-export/ and enter http://app.strava.com/rides/11829839
This will make a GPX file of my ride. To get this into your phone you need to email it to yourself as an attachment. Then open the email on your phone and click on the attachment inside the email and import the route into Cyclemeter.
This way you can get out your phone and check the route when you're not sure.
Recommended Route: We parked in the gravel area just off of I-80 exit 174, the south side of the freeway. We rode counter-clockwise like is always recommended.
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Summary: Great trail with a little bit of everything! It can be a lung buster if you're not in good shape or aren't used to the altitude. But don't let that deter you from riding, just take your time and frequent breaks and of course enjoy the awesome views. After the first climb of 700 feet or so of switchbacks you get to a great vista point where you can even see a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. After this initial climb there are only a few short 100-200 feet climbs, for a total of about 2000 feet of climbing.
This trail has it all; technical rocky and rooty sections, smooth buffed single track, banked corners, exposed granite "bike parks", and riding on everything from shady forest to meadows and open rock faces. The technical can be daunting if you don't have the experience or have a short travel hardtail. On a good 4-6" trail bike you'll be comfortable as there are LOTS of bowling ball sized rocks, big roots, and other obstacles to ride through. But it isn't all rocky and technical, and the smooth forest floor runs remind me quite a bit of the second and third divide trails in Downieville.
All in all a great ride. About 16 miles, 2000 feet of climbing, and plan on taking 2 hours if in great shape, 3 hours in average shape, 4+ hours and lots of breaks, food and water if you don't ride much. If you're not in good shape the climb at the beginning on the switchbacks is going to hurt, as will the gravel road climb at the end. But in the middle it's just all sorts of heaven!
Recommended Route: Park at the trailhead by the Soda Springs exit on I-80. Ride across the freeway overpass for about 1/2 mile, take a left onto a dirt road after the snow lab and ride another 1/2 mile. This will take you through the Boreal parking lot, and take a left under the highway and continue until you see the dirt road heading north. You'll ride another mile or so on the dirt road until you reach the trail head on the left side.
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Summary: Some background to give our review some perspective: We are a group of 5 women, all intermediate to advanced riders, racing XC, CX and Road. We consider ourselves to have pretty strong cardio and a range of technical skills.
After reading many of the review touting horrendous long climbs and hella technical, we honestly were freaked out and almost skipped this ride – thank heavens we didn’t!
We all said at the top of the “painful long climb” to Andesite peak, “Was that it?” The climb was challenging but far shorter than we had been led to expect.
The downhill was challenging but fun – had parts that challenged even the most technically adept riders of the group and some of our group had no issue walking parts we were not comfortable with. We all felt that there were way more sections that not at we could all ride. For our group the longest section of walking were the stairs at the end and even then our most experienced rider cleared the first full section of stairs!
We agree with the other female trail reviewer, this is the sort of trail that makes you a better rider when you are done! We are clamoring to go back and can’t wait to test ourselves on these trails again.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Donner Lake Rim Trail
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Review Date August 28, 2011
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 5 of 5
Technical Difficulty 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
Reviewed by: Sandee Sheldon
,
Weekend Warrior
Summary: This is one very rocky road. And I think some of the reviews I read online about this route are desperately in need of an update. First--the trail is NOT well marked right now. Many signs at critical junctions are missing. The fact that there is still snow on the ground in several places (in late August) and many downed trees across the path also add to some difficulty staying on the trail. And some posters mis-explain how the route goes or given inadequate directions. The upshot is you should read/print SEVERAL reviews of the route and then take them all with you. (Internet service is not available out there.)
Second, it seems that everyone that reviews this route is an expert mountain biker. I am a strong intermediate, and the technicality of this trail kicked my behind big time. There was no "bombing down the last set of stairs" at the end for me. It was slogging my bike down steps that were almost too big to walk down. And there are NO easy sections on this trail unless you are an expert biker. There is loose gravel, slick rock, roots everywhere. Throughout the whole 20 miles, there is not one second when you can take your eyes off of where you're going. It's hard work all the way, including the descents.
Not to be too negative here, but just to add a little perspective. If you are even slightly out of shape, the ascents will seem much harder than they are described. If you are not a very strong intermediate, you will feel fear on portions of the trail. This is not for the faint of heart.
It is a beautiful trail, and if you are in top condition with top skills, I bet it's the best trail ever. But it's a long and unforgiving trail, and once you're on it, there's no way out but to keep going.
one thing to remember about this trail is IF something goes wrong be prepared: extra water and food, an extra layer, tools, extra tube, a good map of the area. even though you start at I80 you end up way out in the rocks
I have to disagree. I'm in better than average shape, with better than average skills, but by no means an expert bikes nor a "racer" by any means. Anyone with 1 year of experience on a mountain bike can ride 80% of this trail. There are lots of easy, smooth, flowy sections, but there are also rocky technical sections.
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Summary: Got on the trail at 2pm on a cold rainy Friday in November. Starts off with a moderate 20-25 minute climb from 7200 up to about 8000 feet. Then the trail rolls through some real nice terrain, rocky, small drops , great mountain scenery. Then climbs a little bit more and rolls through some perfect middle ring up and down riding through rock sections, mud, and smooth pine needle forrest. At the end of the ride you get to drop your seat, get way back , and rip a series of rail tie steps to the bottom. Overall , a great Mountain XC ride with moderate climbing , and moderate technical needs.
Recommended Route: Part one car right off Soda Springs exit, shuttle up to trail head accross the 80 from Boreal, and GO! about 2hours 15mins. rail time.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Missing Link-TRT, Mr. Toads, Marlette Lake loop starting on Mt. Rose Highway.
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