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A nice XC trail with great views and exposed trails.


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Map Key

15.2

Miles

24.4

KM

70%

Singletrack

2,571' 784 m

High

1,916' 584 m

Low

2,532' 772 m

Up

2,530' 771 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Multi-use Trail.

Overview

This is a very beautiful rolling XC trail above a lake. Nothing technical here but definitely some tricky spots that won't be hard to see coming, so suitable for anyone comfortable with narrow singletrack and occasional exposure. Storms frequently drop trees on the steep slopes so having to navigate through poison oak around new blowdowns is always a possibility.

Need to Know

The trail has multiple connectors that are clearly marked if you want to shorten or even add to the ride shown.

Description

The trail starts with a quick downhill on a fire road to the singletrack from Viewpoint trailhead. The track starts wide but narrows considerably. Trail exposure also increases as you get further on down the trail. The trail is completely covered in large sections with dead leaves and scatterings of pine-cones which can lead to some really interesting exposed cornering (watch your speed).

The outside edge of the trail on some corners is soft and will fall away under tire so hug the hillside of the trail. The views along the trail are very distracting (beautiful). Even on hot days it seems this trail will stay cool. You'll encounter downed trees along trail (maintaining this trail has got to be a full time job for a group of people). It's is far less "groomed" than most and that's what makes it worth doing. If you like speed and downhills, probably not your best choice here.

I was frustrated by the climb at mile 9 - it's just a monster uphill and frankly the trail back along Marysville Rd is an overgrown mess. 8 Ball has a nice singletrack section, but it also has some extremely disappointing spongy fire road that is no fun to ride on. I would recommend doing this trail as an out and back, turning back at the sign indicating the Marysville Rd 1 Mile Trail. I enjoyed the ride and will be back, if you're an XC rider, I would even say this a must do trail just for the views.

Note: This track as mapped skips the trail that would normally tie you back into the main Bullards Bar Trail using Schoolhouse Trail. After 8 Ball, I shot down the road to finish because I wasn't happy with the ride along the top part of 8 Ball.

History & Background

See bonc.org For a Complete Trail Map and the History of Mt. Biking in this area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Shayne Holderby with improvements by Ashley Seaward

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 9 votes

#2271

Overall
  4.0 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#290

in California

#2,271

Overall
36 Views Last Month
8,870 Since Jul 7, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
80%
0%
20%
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Photos

Lots of leaf and cones debris
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
XC ST Scenic
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
Exposed Edge ST Typical on trail
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
Trail is Sketchy in this area
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
More Exposed Trail
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
Lake View
Jul 7, 2013 near Challen…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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