Review Date
February 18, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: dhouston ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Without a doubt my favorite no ca trail. Has it all. Good aerobic climb, remarklable serpentining downhill singletrack, beautiful vistas. Be forwarned, the last section lovingly referred to as "the stairs" will kick your behind if you are not careful. I left a sizable DNA sample about halfway down. Also, I caution all of those not accustomed to elevations to be prepared. EPIC and in my opinion much more enjoyable than the Flume.

Recommended Route:
FRom Sac take I-80 to Soda Springs Exit. Stay right and park in large parking area near gas station. Proceed up Sode Springs Road for one mile. Take a left a snow lab road. Road will continue on to Boreal Ridge parking lot. Proceed through parking lot to road that will lead you to Interstate underpass. Continue on road as it runs ajacent to highway for a bit. COntinue ascent to fire gate. Road becomes dirt. Continue for a mile o so to a left that will lead to trail in principal.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, The Flume Trail, Downieville.

Review Date
August 13, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Hagen ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I loved the trail when it was singletrack, but when it turns to fire road (for about 5 miles) to complete the loop, that kind of sucked. The views to Castle Peak was incredible. As far as the riding, there is some very good tight singletrack that twists and turns with options to play on rock faces. There is nothing too too technical except when you come close to the end of the singletrack, there is a section called the stairs which goes for maybe a half a mile. It drops down and down and down on man made stair logs, which gets pretty hairy. I have never ridden anything like this section. It was very very fun and will definitely keep you on your toes.

Recommended Route:
Take the Boreal Ridge exit off of I-80, take a left and drive on the road till it turns to dirt. Park here and ride up about 1.5 miles till you a trail head sign and follow this.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Foreshill Loop, Pioneer, Downieville

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Review Date
August 7, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Carding ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail is 17 mile loop for intermediate riders.First 7 miles I would say is pure climbing specially going to the top,switchbacks are pretty tough also.Downhill side is pretty technical with loose rocks and very dusty,with major drops occassionaly.Last 3 miles is a crazy climb thru the gravel with less traction...I would not recommend this to beginners or they will regret for sure...

Recommended Route:
From Sacramento I-80 exit Soda springs then turn left and right to the Firestation.Then you start to Dooner Pass road and follow Bear Camp sign to your left and start from there...

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Foresthill Divide,Salmon Falls,Clementine loop

Review Date
September 28, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: gedmunds ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail kicks ass - literally. Starting at almost 7,000 feet, with a helluva lot of climbing, this trail beat me like I stole it's cookie. The first five miles of this trail is a flat out slog, and I cracked before I got to the top. Yes, I am a puss. In terms of technical difficulty, there's nothing an intermediate rider can't handle, and until I passed out from exhaustion, it's some of the best views I've ever encountered. (And I'm from Ireland - I know me my views!)

I WILL return to this trail, 20lbs lighter and a LOT fitter. If that sort of rider describes you, then have at it, you'll have a blast. If you're short of fitness, avoid this spot and get some trainin' in!!!!

Recommended Route:
The route we took started at "Snow Study Laboratory Road" - up a dirt road climb for about a mile, which dumps you into a ski area parking lot which you cross, passing under the highway, and start climbin' until you see the signs...

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I didn't ride any other ones, too busy recovering from this one!! (And drinkin' at JB's wedding!)

Review Date
August 27, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: fessgar ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail has it all! Majestic views, snaky single-track through mature red fir forests, with granite outcroppings to keep you honest and your weight back, pretty little sierra lakes to swim in, enough climbing to earn that post ride burrito, and gorgeous mountain settings demanding you stop to take it all in. Only a moderately technical ride (unusual for Tahoe), requiring a few dabs and one OTB experience on the steps near the end for me. The only cost detracting from perfection in my mind is the 7 or 8 miles of dirt and gravel roads at the end of the ride returning to Soda Springs (and then to Boreal Ridge). Took 5 hours, three for riding and a few for views, pictures and swimming.

Recommended Route:
Boreal Ridge to Andesite Peak, then rolling along granite bluffs dropping down to Lola Montez Lake and back to Soda Springs. Left at the Snow Research station and at the Y back to Boreal. Trail is easy to follow and well signed, though distance on gravel roads was a bit unclear and longer than we thought it would be.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Flume, Tahoe Rim Trail both ways from Luther Pass