Bicentennial Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Bicentennial can be ridden in either direction and is a short loop but has several steep climbs to keep your heart rate up. I prefer riding the loop counter-clockwise as shown to spend less climbing on the dirt jeep roads. This trail is mostly under trees giving lots of shade but could get hot and humid during the summer heat w/ no breeze. There are a few short sections to enjoy the mountain views but very rarely.

There is a wide river crossing so expect some soggy shoes riding back to the parking lot. Be warned that the river can be high during springtime as the snow melts.

For this loop you have a choice of parking either at the northern Mule Shoe Trail TH parking lot, just below it down the North Fork Park Road, or at the main northeast North Fork Park campgrounds.

For this ride, I prefer parking at the northern Mule Shoe Trail TH parking lot to avoiding climbing on the jeep roads as much as possible. So before exiting the entrance of the parking lot, take the singletrack trail on the right to start downhill on the Mule Shoe Trail.

After a few turns and switchbacks, at about mile 0.30, turn left to connect to the North Fork Park road. If you missed that turn, go to mile 0.65 and turn left on the connector trail to the road and turn left then turn right towards the main campgrounds. After riding rough the campgrounds and the other parking area, follow the jeep road to the left and ride around the metal gate. At mile 1.17, take the singletrack on the left to start the long steep climb up Bicentennial Trail.

At mile 1.91, you'll reach the junction of the Middle Link to Bicentennial Trail to take you back down to the North Fork River Jeep Trail. Continue straight on the trail to climb up to the top at mile 2.40. Then you start the descend on Bicentennial Trail until you cross the Cutler Flat Trail junction on the right side at mile 2.63. Continue straight downhill until you have to cross Cutler Creek, try to ride in shin deep water and big river rocks to the sandbar and hike-a-bike over more water and up the side banks.

After drying your soggy socks and shoes, proceed to the left until you merge with the Cutler Creek Jeep Trail. For the next 0.25 miles down the jeep trail, there might be quite an overflow from the creek making it wet and muddy. At mile 3.40, you'll start climbing a hill to get to the northwest bowery and campgrounds. Shortly down the jeep trail, you'll see the singletrack Cutler Spring Trail that will connect with the Ben Lomond Trail. Staying straight on the Cutler Creek Jeep Trail will end at the other parking area below, then turn right up North Fork Park Road to lead back to the northern Mule Shoe & Mule Ear TH and parking lot.