Summary:
A great ride for full suspension bikes! Moderate climbing with challenging downhills. Some nice Sierra Nevada slick rock sections along with great views. One of the best in the area!
Ride Type: Loop or point to point with a shuttle
Technical Info:
| Distance: |
15.8 / 11.95 mi. |
Technical Difficulty: |
Moderate to Difficult |
Highest Point: |
8,086 ft. |
Aerobic Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Climbing Elevation: |
2,731 / 2,148 ft. |
Route Finding Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
Descending Distance: |
6.8 / 6.1 mi. |
Riding Time: |
2 - 3 hours |
How to get there:
• From the Tahoe area take highway 89 or 267 to I-80 west. Travel west on I-80 over the summit. Exit on the Boreal Ski Are off ramp. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and follow the road until it turns to dirt, this is the trail head. If you have 2 cars and plan to shuttle the ride or just want to get the road climb out of the way at the beginning of the ride pass the Boreal exit and travel for about 3 miles to the Norden/Soda Springs exit. Turn right off of the exit and make your first right onto a paved road. Travel past the fire station and park along the road near the Lola Montez trail head on the left. This is where you will exit the ride.
Trail Map:
Trail Info:
0 mi. |
At the trail head you will see a road to the left and a road to the right. Start up the left hand road. |
1.01 mi. |
Turn left onto the Hole In the Ground Singletrack. |
2.27 mi. |
This is the top of the climb. A view area is to your right. Follow the trail to your left. Be ready for switchbacks. |
5.06 mi. |
This is the cutoff for Sand Ridge Lake. It is .25 miles to the lake. The main trail continues strait on ahead. |
8.84 mi. |
Turn left. The trail to right will take you .25 miles to Lola Montez Lake. |
9.23 mi. |
At this point the trail will turn from single track to a fast fire road. Continue strait. |
10.3 mi. |
Turn left onto the singletrack at the trail marker. The trail is pretty loose in spots so be ready! |
10.71 mi. |
Turn left onto the fire road. You will cross a river so be ready to get wet. |
11.64 mi. |
Turn left onto the Lola Montez Trail. |
11.91 mi. |
Turn right onto the paved road. If you are shuttling this is the end of the ride, otherwise continue to the intersection and turn left. |
12.12 mi. |
Cross the overpass and follow the road toward Sugar Bowl ski area. There some little cafes along the road to rest at. |
13.7 mi. |
Turn left at the Sierra Nevada Snow Laboratory sign onto a fire road. The road looks like it branches in spots but they are just drives to houses. Continue for about 2 miles to the Boreal parking lot and back to the car. |