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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
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