Reviewed by: geargrrl , from spokane

Summary:
There are TWO Trails here... one is 257, the other the 79 the Cariboo ridge trail . You access them both off forest road 438. 257 is a really sweet but short (2 mile) single track downhill run through the forest... short enough that you might as well lap it. The cariboo ridge trail is about about 1.5 miles further up the forest road. It's 6 miles in length. The top is beautiful singletrack, but the bottom section ( the cliff and switchbacks that are being referred to) is two miles of steep exposure. I couldn't beleive the trail damage from bikes, sad to say. We are all very good riders but it was difficult. The cliff section is narrow, exposed and full of really large sharp loose rocks. Two of our group of three went off the 30 foot cliff, no damage or injuries. And she was the expert rider. This trail is actually closed to horses : I believe that it ought to be closed to bikes too just from the damage we saw.

Recommended Route:
There is some confusion here. There are two different trails here very close to each other, and both are being reviewed.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Now, I said, 257 is sa-weet... it theoretically extends down to Carlin Bay.

Reviewed by: Jerome , from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Summary:
This is my first trail ever and the climb wasn't so bad. There is just a sustained climb on asphalt for the first seven and then a mile and a half of climb on a dirt road. The whole time I told myself that the downhill has got to be worth it. And it was. Well, except for the down trees every 20 yards or so. But about mile into the downhill, there is a sweet sustained decent with a few small downed trees, ruts, roots, and rocks. I'm not experienced, but I'm assuming this isn't too technical. After the first major switchback on the ridge, I walked it down the rest of the way. I figured dropping my Sugar and/or going down with it wasn't worth it. Live to ride another day. If you're comfortable clinging to the edge of a mountain at high speeds and obstacles, it's perfect. Otherwise, enjoy the ride until the "death drop" and use the walking as a nice cool down. Enjoy.

Recommended Route:
Ride the pavement until you come to the dirt access road to the right. It's about a 7 mile climb on the asphalt and a mile and a half on the dirt. Take a break at the picnic area and get ready for a nice ride.

Reviewed by: Teach , from Spokane, WA

Summary:
What a killer trail. If you're in the mood for an epic, try this: Park at the Beauty Creek campground and head up the road (this is FS 453). The pavement ends about 6 miles later when FS 453 T's into FS 439 (which is gravel). Go right, and then stay to the right when the road forks about 100 yards later. The upper trailhead for 257 is about 100 yards past this fork, also on the right. Bomb it! After cleaning the creek crossing at the bottom, come out on to FS 453 and prepare to climb again. Once again, go right on FS 439 and then right at the fork. This time, pass the trailhead for 257 and continue onwards for a few additional miles. Eventually you'll come to another fork - the left one will go up, the right goes down. Go right, descend on fire road for about 1/2 mile until you reach the "picnic area" - there is a table and a pit toilet off to your left. This is also where trail 97 drops off to the right, in between two small (like 1' high) concrete posts. This one will test your abilities. Seriously, a certain skill level is necessary for the lower half of this trail, as it becomes steep, rocky, and narrow with a severe drop off to the downhill side. But I digress - the first half of this 4.7 mile d/h is sweet forested s/t of the highest order, downed trees de damned! The lower half is, well, steep, narrow, rocky, and at times nerve wracking. In other words, a real rush. I would recommend trying it for the first time on a dry day, it was raining and therefore very slick when I went and so there was much dismounting involved - better that then death by drop off! Still, highly addictive and worthwhile trail, between the climbs and descents you'll do about 20 miles, sure only 7 or so of that is s/t but it kicks ass. Ride it, don't slide it!

Recommended Route:
Exit Hwy 97, head south. Turn L on to Beauty Creek Road after a few miles, the lower trailhead for Trail 257 is about 3 miles from the turn off on the right hand side.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Canfield sucks!