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A very scenic and fast ride along New Melones Lake


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Map Key

10.4

Miles

16.7

KM

95%

Singletrack

1,428' 435 m

High

1,090' 332 m

Low

675' 206 m

Up

677' 206 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

There is a $8 day use fee required to ride here as it is maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Federal Interagency Passes are accepted at New Melones Lake.

Overview

This ride combines four trails: the Frontier Trail, the Angel's Crest Trail, the Tower Climb Trail and the Carson Creek Trail. It's a very scenic track, combining fast downhills with rolling singletrack and a short steep fireroad climb. It is arguably the best singletrack in the area. The Glory Hole Loop Ride is rated as intermediate level with no real technical sections. I rated it higher because of the extremely steep fire road climb and the following steep switchback downhill.

Need to Know

The trails are extremely easy to follow in most sections. However, the turn-off connecting the Angel's Crest Trail and the Frontier Trail is narrow and overgrown making it easy to miss.

Expect it to be extremely hot in the summer - ride early or don't ride here.

Description

Start from the parking area at the lowest point of the trail system. Head across the road to the easily visible fireroad, turn down the road and you'll see sign marking the start of the Frontier Trail. Continue down trail along rolling singletrack with scattered oaks partially shading trail.

Pass around the north side of the second parking area and pick up a quick downhill at the start of the Angel's Crest Trail. Loop around a large hill with more rolling singletrack bringing you back to the road. Watch for a small narrow bit of trail leading you to the road across and run back up Frontier Trail to the fire road connector from Frontier Trail to Tower Climb Trail.

At this point, you'll face a hard, half-mile climb to hill summit and the highest point of trail. Once you reach the top, it's time for some fun downhill on the Tower Climb Trail. This trail has many switchbacks at the top so watch your speed. Tower Climb Trail runs in and out of oak covered sections with views of the lake on your right. After just over a mile of fun downhill trail, you'll connect up with Carson Creek Trail.

This last trail rides most of its length along the lake and is relatively flat for a nice cool down before finishing back at the parking area. All in all, this is a really a fun ride.

Contacts

Shared By:

Shayne Holderby with improvements by Cheyenne Dolin

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 15 votes

#1924

Overall
  4.1 from 15 votes
5 Star
27%
4 Star
53%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#242

in California

#1,924

Overall
54 Views Last Month
8,304 Since Jul 19, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
73%
13%
13%
0%

Photos

Last Section of Downhill before Carson Creek Trail
Jul 19, 2014 near Angels…, CA
Beautiful Poppies in the Spring
Dec 29, 2020 near Angels…, CA
Descending the Tower Climb
Dec 29, 2020 near Angels…, CA
After doing the service road climb this is what you get to look forward to, sweet downhill riding, plus some great views!  On Tower Climb Trail.
Mar 25, 2015 near Angels…, CA
Start of Fire-Road Climb to summit.
Jun 16, 2014 near Angels…, CA
Buck Brush Loop at New Melones Lake
Apr 1, 2018 near Angels…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
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