MTB Project Logo

Thunder Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult
 5.0 (9)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Kirkwood
Plan with onX Backcountry
Previous Next

“Jaw dropping scenery and great variety of riding. ”

Alec Ferguson
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

11.1

Miles

17.9

KM

75%

Singletrack

9,229' 2,813 m

High

7,224' 2,202 m

Low

2,073' 632 m

Up

2,071' 631 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Overview

One of my favorite rides in the Sierras, this loop has it all -- lung busting climbs, scenery, and fast flowy singletrack through cool rock features.

Description

Tough but fun climb to the turret of Thunder Mountain Loop Trail #17E22 with incredible narrow singletrack above the cliffs on the other side. Glide past a cave across alpine meadows, then fast flowy singletrack with some nice rock gardens down Silver Lake - Horse Canyon Trail #17E21. Dirt road back is a meh but ends quickly with a last bit of singletrack and views over Caples Creek Canyon.

Contacts

Local Club: Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA)

Jun 7, 2023: Work begins on Meeks Ridge trail for 2023!

Jun 7, 2023: Building Connections: A TAMBA Fundraiser for Tahoe Trails

Jun 7, 2023: You’re invited to our Spring Kickoff Party, May 19

Land Manager: USFS - Eldorado National Forest Office

Shared By:

Alec Ferguson with improvements by Peter Monks
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 9 votes

#1

in Kirkwood

#820

Overall
  5.0 from 9 votes
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Kirkwood

#125

in California

#820

Overall
23 Views Last Month
2,597 Since Jul 28, 2020
Difficult
0%
0%
0%
25%
75%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Fun trail with great views.
Oct 12, 2020 near South L…, CA
Alpine scenery
Nov 9, 2019 near South L…, CA
Views into Kirkwood
Nov 9, 2019 near South L…, CA
Off the backside, clinging to the face.
Nov 9, 2019 near South L…, CA
Pretty nice views.
Oct 12, 2020 near South L…, CA
Ride the ridge
Nov 9, 2019 near South L…, CA

5 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 15, 2022
Scott Sumners
Some of the most diverse terrain around! Beautiful scenery, big climb, technical descent. Little extra climb up to the summit is totally worth it 12mi — 2h 50m
Jul 30, 2022
Kikinda Pantz
Fun, dusty trail. Couldn't find the connector from the horse canyon th to the fireroad. Couldn't find fireroad from Martin meadows to thunder mt th — 3h 00m
Jul 19, 2021
CJ Crandall
Steep climbs at high elevation. Fun DH through Horse Canyon. 11.6mi — 2h 00m
Jun 19, 2021
James Bishop
Rode from Kirkwood Village. Climbs are sustained which makes them tough but the views are amazing. Singletrack trails at the bottom to avoid hwy 88! 17mi
Jun 1, 2021
Armando Enriquez
Oct 6, 2020
steven le
Out and back 8.3mi — 2h 48m
Aug 8, 2020
Brad Anderson
11.1mi — 3h 00m

Nearby Recommended Routes