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Sweet fast buttery trail! Light on the technical, but heavy on the fun factor!


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Map Key

5.9

Miles

9.4

KM

Singletrack

8,326' 2,538 m

High

6,174' 1,882 m

Low

27' 8 m

Up

2,179' 664 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps

Some foot traffic near the campground areas, USE CAUTION. It is a deceptively fast trail and foot traffic tends to have kids, dogs, strollers, etc. so keep a finger on the brakes, and tires on the ground.

Description

The trail is best accessed from the Nordic Ski Patrol facility at the top of Mt. Pinos where there is ample parking for the shuttle vehicle(s). There are cross country skiing trails and signs up top that can be confusing. Follow the bike tracks.

Pick up the trail heading straight out the back of the parking area where you veer right to the hike-in campground. Before even entering the campground, veer right again.

The trail will start to descend very rapidly. The 1st segment up to the 1st road crossing is called Hazard trail, but there aren't any signs indicating that. There are several XC nordic ski trails leading off here and there that loop the top of the mountain, don't take those. Stick to the path well traveled, all the off-shoots are faint and narrow. After the road crossing there is a sweet double drop-off, but be careful launching as it is a deceptively soft landing. Right after that is a log jump I do not recommend as it is always in some state of disrepair and could easily be un-rideable and a HAZARD!

You pop out into another campground where you'll cut across and pick up the trail on the opposite side of camp. Stay level here, don't climb up or go down in the camp you'll get lost. Look for some sign posts between 2 campsites, that's where Ridgeline (again, no signs) trail picks up. This is a super fun section with nice kickers and big berms. Watch out for people through here.

You'll cross the road again and this where McGill trail officially picks up. After a short climb you get to very confusing 5-way intersection.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Rogers with improvements by James M

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 25 votes

#1

in Mt. Pinos

#511

Overall
  4.6 from 25 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Mt. Pinos

#34

in California

#511

Overall
54 Views Last Month
6,369 Since May 25, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
63%
17%
21%
0%

Photos

Lots of people climb the road, but going up the singletrack is lovely and not too challenging.
Sep 16, 2019 near Pine Mo…, CA
McGill Trail at Mt. Pinos Loop.
Sep 4, 2019 near Pine Mo…, CA
Great views on this trail
May 20, 2018 near Pine Mo…, CA
McGill Trail
Jan 5, 2016 near Pine Mo…, CA
log X-ing
May 11, 2019 near Pine Mo…, CA
McGill Trail just starting the 3rd section. Great jumps and berms.
Jul 5, 2018 near Pine Mo…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Aug 13, 2023
Michael Lyons
Nice trail conditions! It's a really fun downhill and a bit shorter than expected. Explored some additional trails also. Great trail riding afternoon! 16mi — 2h 30m
Jun 18, 2022
Erik Thunstrom
Mar 30, 2021
Hajji Hajar
Patches of snow and mud present along with fallen large trees blocking the path. Needs maintenance to be rideable. 5mi — 1h 00m
Nov 2, 2020
Raymond Roldan
Jul 6, 2020
George Medina
Feb 17, 2020
Roberto Altamirano
Still lots of snow on the trail, the access road is clear but the trail still has a good foot in depth.
Nov 3, 2019
James M
6.8mi — 0h 25m
Sep 12, 2019
Carson Blaker
Up McGill, up Pinos Rd to the peak, a little loop around the peak, then back down McGill. Prime conditions! 18mi — 3h 00m
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