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A feature-packed trail that delivers something for every kind of rider!


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Map Key

5.8

Miles

9.4

KM

Singletrack

7,138' 2,176 m

High

6,339' 1,932 m

Low

224' 68 m

Up

993' 303 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Forest Service Road 06 is subject to seasonal closures. Check website for road status.

Need to Know

**The upper section of the trail from Watson Lake to the crossing with 06 Fire Rd. is still under construction and expected to be completed by the end of Oct 2018**

-Highly recommended to ride up the 06 Road to access the top of the trail.
-Various parking pull-outs along the 06 Fire Rd.

Description

The lower portion of the new Big Chief Trail (2018) is now complete and ready to ride! Once completed, the Big Chief Trail will be a 7-mile, non-motorized trail connecting Watson Lake and Tahoe Rim Trail to the southern tip of the Sawtooth Trail. It's creation is thanks to a partnership with the Truckee Trails Foundation, USFS, Northstar, National Forest Foundation, and REI.

Big Chief Trail is packed with optional technical trail features of varying difficulties including rock rolls and drops, a log ride, gap jumps, as well as fast and flowy berm turns. The trail is suitable for intermediate to expert level riders. It's a rocky intermediate trail, but when incorporating many of the features found along the trail it can easily be pushed into the black diamond realm. All technical trail features have a ride around. In addition, a few of the features have several options depending on skill level which makes the trail thrilling and engaging for all riders as well as a great place to work on bike handling skills. Don't expect a pure downhill run on this trail as the nature of the trail will keep you pedaling in many sections.

**NOTE: Although it's not technically a one-way only trail, it's highly recommended that riders use the 06 Road to climb up to the start of the trail and ride it down to the intersection with Sawtooth Trail. The trail is designed to ride in this direction and there are many riders coming down at speed, especially through the berm-packed sections toward the bottom.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jon Hart with improvements by Cole Fenger

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 25 votes

#3

in Lake Tahoe

#708

Overall
  4.3 from 25 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
16%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
8%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Lake Tahoe

#56

in California

#708

Overall
4 Views Last Month
7,121 Since Sep 30, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

First time we checked out the Big Chief trail. Great features and fun ride.
Aug 12, 2019 near Truckee, CA
One of many great types of terrain/features on this incredible trails!!
Oct 25, 2018 near Truckee, CA
Incredible rock work throughout the Big Chief Trail.
Oct 1, 2018 near Truckee, CA
Big Rock & Little Rock technical trail feature.
Oct 1, 2018 near Truckee, CA
The Log Ride.
Oct 1, 2018 near Truckee, CA
One of many gap jumps of various difficulty on the trail.
Oct 1, 2018 near Truckee, CA

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Check-Ins

Jul 8, 2023
Daniel Trugman
Aug 14, 2022
Christopher Barnickel
Aug 9, 2022
Max Ramacher
Jul 10, 2022
Max Ramacher
Jun 30, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Jun 23, 2021
Ryan Olson
Jun 12, 2020
Nate Sonnenthal
Oct 23, 2019
Daniela Borgia
Not a go back!! 23.5mi — 2h 30m
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