Review Date
June 8, 2011

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Frank ,  Racer

Summary:
I have been riding Mitchell Canyon on a regular basis, 3 times a week for the past 5 month--it is a great ride to get in shape and work on power--the trail is very steep halfway to the top, but with moderation later, although within half a mile from Juniper Camp Ground there is an extremely steep quarter mile, The views are exceptional.

Lots of wildlife with rich vegetation, the creek is very soothing, in the winter after a good rain numerous water falls will show up. All in all a great workout without cars for the road cyclists, but watch out for the hikers and rattle snakes in summer.

Recommended Route:
Mitchell Canyon to Juniper Camp Ground and turn around at the intersection with Summit road, or go all the way to Devil's elbow and descend from the other side.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Briones also requires a certain level of fitness, but rewarded with great views--except the cows make a mess of the trails and creeks.

Review Date
July 26, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: stepenliem ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
So many of my friends told me just how difficult this trail is. I did it over the weekend and was somewhat disappointed. I would say that this is an intermediate trail. The exceptions is 1 mile approaching the Juniper Camp ground (as other reviewers have mentioned), that hill is darn steep and very tough. But that is only a mile long out of total 10 miles. I love this trail, because the views along the way and at the top are amazing.

Recommended Route:
Park your car in Mitchell Canyon Rd. Take Mitchell Canyon trail to Deer Flat, then take the trail to the Juniper Camp. From the camp, you take a paved road to the summit.

Review Date
March 22, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: ilakano ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I've just moved to Clayton and since this trail is literally in my back yard, I am compelled to offer my two cents. Overall, this ride can be divided into two halves. The first is the non-technical climb, tough and unrelenting. The second is the more technical, either goiong back down at Deer Flat or continuing on to Juniper. Either way, it is a good workout and will make other climbs seem easier.

Recommended Route:
Home to Bruce Lee, Mitchell Canyon, Deer Flat, Juniper or Meridian depending on the mood.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Pretty much everyting on the west side.

Review Date
November 9, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: mike ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Just arrived from the East Coast and did this trail for the first time today and it was HARD. Maybe it was due to the rain conditions that were present today? I don't know, but the first two miles were even hard. We had to stop on at least three occasions to clean hard, sticky mud out of jammed front forks.

After the first two miles it went up and never seed to stop until we came to the camp with my heart and lungs sticking out of my chest. This is not an easy ride, not even close. It's also not a tecnical ride, just very steep long way to test your fitness level. This trail DID have amazing views on the way up and coming down was fun in an 'earn your turns kinda way'.

Reccomended for riders looking to test their fitness level and layer in the fall/winter. Went from cold to HOT to freezing and back to hot in a matter of turns. Bring as much water as you can transport.

Recommended Route:
Did as instructed

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Still learning area

Review Date
September 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: smokin joe ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I'm new to mtb'ing, so this is the 1st trail I've tried (it's just a few miles from my house, so why not?). I feel better now reading how everyone else says it's so hard because it is. I've done it maybe 8 times now, and keep getting further each time, today getting to Juniper Camp just as I broke my shoe cleat.

The fist few miles aren't too bad with lots of shade. Then it goes straight up and never seems to stop with little to no shade. In summer, parts are so steep it's hard to even get traction with the gravel. But all along the way, the views are incredible.

Recommended Route:
Mitchell Canyon to Deer Flat to Juniper - that's as far as I've gone

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Don't know any others, but you can shorten this ride to end around the switchbacks, so you're in only 20 minutes or so going "up" with still some fun down.