Top 3 Moutain Bike Trails for Spring

Top 3 Moutain Bike Trails for Spring

It is full Spring now and time to put the skis away and get out the Summer gear… 

Unless you want to squeeze a few more drops out of Winter and ski Alpine Meadows for the next couple of weekends till May 11th… 

My favorite mountain bike trails are free of snow and ready to ride.  Time to get out and enjoy the crisp clean air! 

#1 Emigrant Trail

This is a super fun rolling trail that climbs and descends through woods, around meadows, past streams and concludes at Stampede Reservoir.  The trail is all single track,  well marked and not very technical.  A great choice for the novice and intermediate riders or for an early season warm up.

How Long: 10 miles out to Stampede and  10 miles back

Directions to trailhead: Head North on HWY 89 past Gray's Crossing and past East Alder Creek Road.  You will see a turn-off on the right hand side for a picnic area.  This is where I like to start this ride adding about 1 mile but with the added pleasures of a bathroom and picnic tables.  If you miss that, continue on HWY 89 for another mile or so till you cross a bridge.  Just across the bridge on the right is a dirt parking lot with a trail map where you can also start.  

Sawtooth Trail

#2 Sawtooth Ridge Trail

The sawtooth ride is a rocky, twisty, thrill ride through the hills above the Truckee River.  Starting in the Sierra Meadows neighborhood of Truckee, this trail will take you on a 10 mile lolly pop shaped loop.  You will be pedaling through the woods and then POP! out of the woods you will be on top of an overlook looking down at the river or climbing up and up and POP! a clearing with views across the canyon to the next mountain range.  

How Long: 10 Mile lolly pop loop

Directions to trailhead: From downtown Truckee: Head East on Brockway Road.  Take a right on Palisades Drive at the stop light.  Head into the Sierra Meadows neighborhood.  Take your 3rd right on Silverfir Drive and your second left at Thelin Drive.  The first right is a dirt road.  Take this road in about 1/4 mile and there is a parking lot.  You will find the trailhead and a trail map there. 

View from Martis Peak Fire Lookout

#3 Tahoe Rim Trail

There are many different ways to mountain bike the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) but the section on top of Brockway summit has some big rewards for a short ride.  This is a steep climb up to some amazing lookouts over Lake Tahoe.  If you make it to the very top you can visit the Martis Peak fire lookout and see the 360 degree view and over 5 lakes.  Worth the tough climb up and you still get the reward of all that downhill!  If you want to make it to the top you will want to take a left when the TRT merges with a dirt road.  This will put you out onto a paved road for about 1/2 mile till you hit the wooden fire lookout building.  

View from Tahoe Rim Trail

How Long: 4 miles up and 4 miles back down

Directions to trailhead: Take HWY 267 south towards Kings Beach.  Drive past Northstar and all the way to the summit of Brockway.  Just as the road starts to head downhill there is a parking area to the right.  Park here.  The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road up a short dirt road where you will find the trailhead and trail map. 

Have fun ridding and stay tuned for Northstar Mountain Bike park to open June 15th.  Always a fun time no matter what your ability. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

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