Signal Peak is neither "easy" nor "beginner", despite being deemed so by many locals in comparison to the Fordyce trail - which also begins from the Pierce Meadow Staging Area. It is recommended to have… Learn more about Signal Peak
Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
6
Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa
Bowman Lake
The first part of the trail is paved. About 2/3rds of the way in, it becomes rocky and dirty. High clearance is recommended. There is one tricky hairpin about 1 mile from camp. Other than… Learn more about Bowman Lake
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Hellhole 4WD
This is an in and out trail approximately 3.8 miles each way. There are some bigger rocks and shelves to climb. 33" tires with at least one axle locked is recommended. You start at the… Learn more about Hellhole 4WD
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
8
Difficult
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Bear Valley Loop Trail
Bear Valley Loop Trail is a beginner trail located off Hwy 89 starting right at "Little Truckee Summit". The loop takes off and ends at the Bear Valley Campground. Head in on Cottonwood Road off… Learn more about Bear Valley Loop Trail
Total Miles
19.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Bear Lake Trail
Bear Lake is a great place to camp or fish located near lake Tahoe. The road to get to Bear Lake has many places to pull off with amazing views. You can get to Bear… Learn more about Bear Lake Trail
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa
Boca Hill
Boca Hill Trail is a 2.5 mile trail. The trail passes the peak of Boca Hill, a great place to stop and get some pictures from above I-80 with many peaks in the background. The… Learn more about Boca Hill
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Lloyds
This is a single track that gets heavy use. It is pretty easy to follow and well maintained and established. It is very well-marked and has many signs so you don't get lost when crossing… Learn more about Lloyds
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
6
Moderate
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Mitchell Mine
Mitchell Mine is a nice, easy in-and-out summer trail for a leisurely stroll through the forest. It's also a good trail for beginners to get used to how their vehicle feels while off-road. The surface… Learn more about Mitchell Mine
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Ellis Peak Bike Trail
This trail has a few tougher sections. The views are some of the best around the lake! The trail starts where the pavement ends if you come up from Blackwood Canyon. This trail passes Ellis… Learn more about Ellis Peak Bike Trail
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
6
Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa
Rubicon, West Side
The Rubicon is our all-time favorite. It's a mix of gorgeous scenery and very challenging terrain. Our group camped overnight at the halfway point below Buck Island Dam. Trail is under constant scrutiny by environmental… Learn more about Rubicon, West Side
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
8
Difficult
Best Time
Su
Barker Meadows OHV Trail
This trail is narrow. If you are going in with full-size rig or a long rig you will be doing pull-ups and backups. This trail is an alternative trail to get to the Rubicon Trail.… Learn more about Barker Meadows OHV Trail
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
6
Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa
Long Lake Trail/TKS-11
Long Lake Trail also known as TKS-11 is just short of a mile-long spur trail located off the Rubicon Trail just below the cemetery. This trail starts in the trees but soon pops out on… Learn more about Long Lake Trail/TKS-11
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
7
Difficult
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
Rubicon, East Side
The east side of the Rubicon provides nonstop challenges and extreme fun. Water can play a bigger role where trail meanders along the volatile Rubicon River. You'll pass through Rubicon Springs Campground at no charge… Learn more about Rubicon, East Side
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
8
Difficult
Best Time
Su
Ellis Lake Trail
Ellis Lake trail is just a spur trail off Ellis Peak Trail. This trail takes you to Ellis Lake where you will find camping, hiking, and great views. It is important to note that this… Learn more about Ellis Lake Trail
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Ellis Peak OHV Trail
This trail gets you close to the top of Ellis Peak. This is just a short trail however the views are worth the trip. Check out the Ellis Lake Trail and hike the Ellis Peak… Learn more about Ellis Peak OHV Trail
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Buck Lake
The lower part of the trail from the Mckinney Rubicon to the lake is only a 5-difficulty rating however if you continue to follow the trail above the lake the trail becomes a 7-difficulty rating.… Learn more about Buck Lake
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
7
Difficult
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Tamarack Lakes 12E33
This trail starts across from Packer Lake. There is a staging area at the bottom if you need to trailer your rig. The trail heads up to Tamarack Lakes. The two lakes are almost the… Learn more about Tamarack Lakes 12E33
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Crystal Peak Mine Loop
This loop trail offers wide panoramas of endless mountain forests and picturesque views of multiple reservoirs all along an easily traversed dirt road. An exciting surprise awaits at the midway point of the trail--the Crystal… Learn more about Crystal Peak Mine Loop
Total Miles
26.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you… Learn more about Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
37.9
Tech Rating
2
Moderate
Best Time
Su
Snake Lake
Short but beautiful hard-core trail. Great views looking down on Gold Lake and Snake Lake. Route open to green-sticker vehicles on posted routes only. Overnight camping in designated sites only. Watch for hikers and mountain… Learn more about Snake Lake
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
7
Difficult
Best Time
Su
Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This spur accesses the communications tower equipment on private property at the summit of Beckwourth Peak. There is… Learn more about Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Beckwourth - NF23N03
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This is one of the primary routes into this section of the forest from town. These roads are… Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sugarpine - NF22N55
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks… Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Poker Flat
A challenging drive that passes through two historic gold mining towns: Poker Flat and Howland Flat. The trail can be used as a shortcut between Downieville and La Porte. Trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout Tower… Learn more about Poker Flat
Total Miles
26.9
Tech Rating
4
Moderate
Best Time
Su
Barrett Lake Jeep Trail - 16E21
This is a highly technical, beautiful in and out trail located in the Eldorado National Forest on the border of the Desolation Wilderness near South Shore Lake Tahoe. The trail starts near Wrights Lake at… Learn more about Barrett Lake Jeep Trail - 16E21
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
7
Difficult
Best Time
Fa
Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y
Dirt Forest Service Road accesses a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start at… Learn more about Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start… Learn more about Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Portola "P" - NF14M03
This trail accesses the Portola "P" above town. It starts out as a mellow two-track among the trees but quickly turns upward into a steep, loose, rocky scramble. Low range is required and this trail… Learn more about Portola "P" - NF14M03
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
4
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Volcanoville
Volcanoville is a good beginner trail that can be completed by most stock 4x4 SUVs, as well as many AWD vehicles with AT tires and at least 8 inches of clearance. The trail does get… Learn more about Volcanoville
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Bottle Hill
Bottle Hill is a good trail to learn how your vehicle feels on dirt, rock, and mud; or to check the off-road capability of your vehicle after making modifications or repairs. It is also a… Learn more about Bottle Hill