T r a i l R a t i n g s
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I have been asked so many times, "Is this a trail I can do"? or "Is it
really a beginner trail"?
This page will try to describe what makes which trail a beginner trail or
advanced trail. Special credit goes out to Max Walter, for his great web
page about our local trails.
really a beginner trail"?
This page will try to describe what makes which trail a beginner trail or
advanced trail. Special credit goes out to Max Walter, for his great web
page about our local trails.
Trail
Rating
Why rated as stated
Intermediate
Although the climb is on a fire road, it is fairly long, and not
for those who aren't in pretty good shape. As for technical
aspects, the trail is mostly smooth, with a couple of sections
that the less experienced should walk.
for those who aren't in pretty good shape. As for technical
aspects, the trail is mostly smooth, with a couple of sections
that the less experienced should walk.
Advanced Intermediate
This ride also has a long fire road climb, and a fairly steep
downhill section, followed by a tricky creek crossing. The
downhill is mostly smooth, nothing that can't be ridden by the
average rider.
downhill section, followed by a tricky creek crossing. The
downhill is mostly smooth, nothing that can't be ridden by the
average rider.
Advanced Intermediate
A very steep initial climb, (one of the steeper ones at Whiskeytown)
some very technical downhill sections make this ride for someone
who is confident in their skills. With features like the "Trench of
Terror", it borders on Advanced.
some very technical downhill sections make this ride for someone
who is confident in their skills. With features like the "Trench of
Terror", it borders on Advanced.
Beginner to Intermediate
Depending on the route, this can be a good beginner
ride, or if you throw in "the climb", it would be more
geared for intermediate riders. This ride is part of the
"Peltier Valley" rides, and when we have a beginner
ride in this area, it is mostly flat, some rocky sections, all
very rideable for anyone comfortable in the dirt.
ride, or if you throw in "the climb", it would be more
geared for intermediate riders. This ride is part of the
"Peltier Valley" rides, and when we have a beginner
ride in this area, it is mostly flat, some rocky sections, all
very rideable for anyone comfortable in the dirt.
Advanced Intermediate
Rated so because of the climb. It is on a fire road, but during
the summer it can be very hot, and it is a non stop steep climb
for over two miles. The downhill is not technical, but does have
several creek crossings. Very refreshing in the summer, but
cold in the winter!
the summer it can be very hot, and it is a non stop steep climb
for over two miles. The downhill is not technical, but does have
several creek crossings. Very refreshing in the summer, but
cold in the winter!
Beginner
Flat, smooth, nothing technical, makes this probably the perfect
ride for the beginner. There is one little hill, (probably 30 yards
total) that is a very good gauge for your improvement. In the
winter the trail is usually very wet, as it is an old water ditch trail,
and does not drain well. In the summer this is a great ride as it is
right next to the lake, and is mostly in the shade.
ride for the beginner. There is one little hill, (probably 30 yards
total) that is a very good gauge for your improvement. In the
winter the trail is usually very wet, as it is an old water ditch trail,
and does not drain well. In the summer this is a great ride as it is
right next to the lake, and is mostly in the shade.
Advanced Beginner
Another great trail for those new to the sport. This can be added
on to Oak Bottom. This ride throws in a climb on switchbacks,
(tough for any level rider) but is very do-able. Don't get
discouraged if you aren't able to ride the switchbacks till your
more experienced.
on to Oak Bottom. This ride throws in a climb on switchbacks,
(tough for any level rider) but is very do-able. Don't get
discouraged if you aren't able to ride the switchbacks till your
more experienced.
Intermediate to Advanced
This area is all about the climbing. 7 Miles on the shorter
course. The downhill is not super technical, mainly
motorcycle-made single or double track. Depending on the route,
this can be an all day ride!
course. The downhill is not super technical, mainly
motorcycle-made single or double track. Depending on the route,
this can be an all day ride!
Advanced Intermediate to Advanced
This ride is a beauty! The reason for the advanced rating is due
to the cliffs on the side of the trail. It can be very technical, and
should NOT be ridden alone. There are no major climbs, the trail
just hugs the shore, but is very technical. If the dam is full of
water, the trail can not be accessed.
to the cliffs on the side of the trail. It can be very technical, and
should NOT be ridden alone. There are no major climbs, the trail
just hugs the shore, but is very technical. If the dam is full of
water, the trail can not be accessed.
Intermediate on up
This is a great new area, hopefully it will stay around, the
subdivision is growing and threatening the area. This is an
intermediate ride because of the climbing. The trails are wide, and
all very rideable, nothing too technical, but you do have to climb.
This is a great winter ride area, even for night rides. The view
from the top at night can't be beat!
subdivision is growing and threatening the area. This is an
intermediate ride because of the climbing. The trails are wide, and
all very rideable, nothing too technical, but you do have to climb.
This is a great winter ride area, even for night rides. The view
from the top at night can't be beat!
Beginner
A great place to get your "legs". This trail system is mostly
flat, and all paved. There are a couple of single track dirt trails
that lead off the pavement, good place to explore, with a friend.
Watch out for other trail users.
flat, and all paved. There are a couple of single track dirt trails
that lead off the pavement, good place to explore, with a friend.
Watch out for other trail users.
Beginner to Advanced Intermediate
This is mainly an easy trail, it does have a couple of good climbs,
and features the dreaded "switchbacks". For the real beginner, it
can be rode as an out an back from the boat ramp to the
campground. For the hardened rider, it can be a "recovery" ride ,
or at race pace, or at night for even more challenges. Look for the
new addition that RMB is working on now.
The trail does feature some "rock garden" areas that the
beginning rider should use caution on.
and features the dreaded "switchbacks". For the real beginner, it
can be rode as an out an back from the boat ramp to the
campground. For the hardened rider, it can be a "recovery" ride ,
or at race pace, or at night for even more challenges. Look for the
new addition that RMB is working on now.
The trail does feature some "rock garden" areas that the
beginning rider should use caution on.
Advanced Intermediate
Although this is mainly downhill, it is very technical, and should
not be attempted by beginners. There are cliffs, drop offs, rocks,
and loose dirt that thrown in with the fact that you are fatigued
from the ride, can cause you to let your guard down. But,,,, its a
BLAST!
not be attempted by beginners. There are cliffs, drop offs, rocks,
and loose dirt that thrown in with the fact that you are fatigued
from the ride, can cause you to let your guard down. But,,,, its a
BLAST!
Again, special thanks to Max Walter for all his work
on his website dedicated to our trails in this area. Max
also does a lot of volunteer trail clean ups, and has
given a lot to this sport. Check out his great site here!
on his website dedicated to our trails in this area. Max
also does a lot of volunteer trail clean ups, and has
given a lot to this sport. Check out his great site here!
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Another quick trail finding reference:
Beginner Trails: Oak Bottom, El Dorado Mine Trail, Sacramento River Trail, Keswick Dam River Trail, Clikapudi, Mule Mountain
Intermediate Trails: The Chimney, Shasta Mine Trail, Clikapudi, French Gulch, Mary Lake, Mule Mountain
Advanced Intermediate and up: Recliner, Couch, Shasta Mine, Boulder Creek, Dry Creek, French Gulch
Easiest: River Trails
Best all around: Clikapudi
Hardest climb: French Gulch, Boulder Creek
Most scenic: Chimney
Best cardio workout and fitness gauge: Southfork! This is a 7 mile climb, starts on the dirt road across 299 from the Visitor Center at
Whiskeytown. It is all dirt road, and is perfect for those who want to just get out and get in shape. Try getting to the first lookout without stopping, then try
to get to the top, then try to go all the way without stopping, then try using your middle chain ring up front, etc. The view from the top is great, and this is a
good night ride as well!
Whiskeytown. It is all dirt road, and is perfect for those who want to just get out and get in shape. Try getting to the first lookout without stopping, then try
to get to the top, then try to go all the way without stopping, then try using your middle chain ring up front, etc. The view from the top is great, and this is a
good night ride as well!
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Mule Mountain
Beginner to advanced
This is a newer area off of Swasey drive. There are
TONS of trails out here! From beginner to advanced, this
is a growing area, and the BLM is continually working on
the trails. Maps can be found at the trailhead. To get here,
take Placer st. west until you get to Swasey dr, then head
north until you see the BLM sign.
TONS of trails out here! From beginner to advanced, this
is a growing area, and the BLM is continually working on
the trails. Maps can be found at the trailhead. To get here,
take Placer st. west until you get to Swasey dr, then head
north until you see the BLM sign.
Hornbeck/Lower
Sacramento
River Trails
Sacramento
River Trails
Beginner to advanced
Another BLM project, this is a flat, long out and back to
Shasta Dam. Beginners will love this, as there are no hills,
and the terrain is very smooth, no cliffs. Advanced riders
can use this as a training trail, as it is over 20 miles to the
dam and back! The trailhead for this is off of Keswick
Dam Rd.
Shasta Dam. Beginners will love this, as there are no hills,
and the terrain is very smooth, no cliffs. Advanced riders
can use this as a training trail, as it is over 20 miles to the
dam and back! The trailhead for this is off of Keswick
Dam Rd.