Review Date
September 19, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: ffbri ,  Downhiller

Summary:
I'm not gonna beat a dead horse and say how challenging it is....everyone else already has covered that. If you are looking for a change of pace from Anadel State Park, Boggs Demonstration Forest, or Mt Tam then this is worth checking out. Even on a weekend the trail isn't terribly congested. I've been on it a few times and it get's pretty technical towards the top, which has caused tube punctures a few tubes. I'd highly recommend bringing whatever tools you need to change a flat, and a pump that works (learned that the hard way). Finally bring at least 3 liters of water and high calorie snacks cause you're gonna need it! Have fun

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Annadel State Park, Boggs Demonstration Forest

Review Date
November 18, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: jenglish23 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Oat Hill Mine Road is a old Mining road that was shut down in the late 60's. 40 years of weathering has striped the road down to the bedrock and created a very challenging mountain biking terrain. There are rock gardens galore here. Climbing the road is one of the best challenges in Northern California. It's very technical but a good rider can clean all the sections. The descent is one of the very best in California!

Recommended Route:
Ride as an out and back. Start at the Oat Hill Mine Trail head in where the Silverado Trail intersects Highway 29. Climb up from there. The hardest part of the climb is the first 4 miles or so then the trail goes up and down and up for another 4 miles until you reach the Aetna Springs trial head. Turn around and ride it down with a big grin on your face. This part is awesome. The climb is only 8 miles but it can take 3 to 4 hours depending on your fitness level. I suggest you bring lots of water and food for this ride.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Rockville Park

Review Date
October 23, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: dogonfr ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I hate to climb & this ride going up is definatly a tough climb even for xc riders. The begining is prety normal stuff then it gets a little rocky'r then the rocks grow larger next you get loose rock now you go up large loose rocks to a rock mountain with steep climbs & alot of loose rock & bolders. When you get to the top turn around switch to the 6+ suspension mode & head down. Stay on the big rocks it's alot easier than going into what looks easier but is very loose rock.
Bring lots of water & something to eat at the top.
At the bottom there is a great resturant across the road, Pesto with Baby Clam Pizza & pitcher of cold Beer to finish the day.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Downieville, Northstar, Solstice, Pacifica

Review Date
May 24, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: clayperez ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Some riders have warned against visiting this trail on the weekends. But I left on a Sunday from the trailhead around 1:00pm and saw only a few riders and hikers early on. After about 5 miles I think a lot of people give up, turn around and hit the spas.

This is a moderate climb, and if you aren't prepared for some technical ascents then you're in for a few dismounts because of rocky terrain and loose shale - these are nothing that should disturb the ride up too much.

The best thing about this trail is that there are enough technical places that the intermediate/expert rider should be challenged every time. This is a great trail to hone your technical climbing skills.

After about 8 miles of easy to moderate climbing you come to a small X-camp. I believe they call this "Miner's Camp", and there are remnants of a few concrete steps where a building of some sort appears to have been. It's not very obvious, but this seems to be the "endpoint" for a lot of hikers/riders.

But if you're in for an epic, keep rolling. Immediately after passing the camp there is a brown park sign labeled with two landmarks on the left side of the main trail: Lasky Point 3.3 miles, Table Rock Trail 3.9 miles. Beyond this sign is a narrow hikeable trail that leads straight up. I did not inspect this on my first ascent but it looked impossible with wheels, so I continued on with the "main" trail which I believe is still "Oat Hill".

I rode on, and on, and on... My parents have property that borders a significant portion of the state park, and even the old Lasky's place - hence the name "Lasky's point". Lasky was the last name of a man who donated a sizeable chunk of property to the state park. The entrance to the residents that still live there (I believe they are even descendents of the Lasky's) is on the Old Lawly Toll road. Anyways...

I'm running out of room, so you can read the rest of the review on my own site. http://www.bikemonkey.net

Recommended Route:
Up, up, up, up and back. You can EASILY turn this into a 30 mile ride. Bring tubes.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mt. St. Helena, Annadel

Review Date
July 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3 votes