Mountain bikes are welcome on many of the Forest's single-track trails, logging roads, and larger thoroughfares, although they are prohibited in Wilderness areas. Loops such as the Letts Lake Loop offer riders a choice between demanding rides and less challenging meanders. Over-the-top rides from one side of the Forest to the other invite riders for multi-day trips.
Here are a few enticing possibilities...
Anthony Peak/Buck Rock
Distance: 8 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting there: I-5 to Corning. West on Corning Road from Corning through Paskenta. In Paskenta, take the left fork, which is the M4 recreation road. Go past the Salt Creek Conservation Camp, past the end of the pavement. Stay on the main road (there are numerous smaller roads to the right and left) past Sugar Springs. Take the first road to the left and follow the signs towards Covelo. When you get to the ridge (approximately one mile past Brewer Oak Camp) turn right towards Wells Cabin and follow the signs to Anthony Peak.
About the ride: This ride begins at Anthony Peak, travels forest road 23N16 Buck Rock and ends where the trail meets the edge of Beaver Creek Canyon. The ride is situated on a low maintenance road and offers great views. This ride is a roller coaster of steep hills and is challenging for most bike enthusiasts.
Calamese Rock
Distance: 3 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Moderate
Getting there: Hwy. 101 N past Willits to Longvale, Hwy. 162 to Covelo. From Covelo, travel on Hwy. 162 approximately 12 miles east to Eel River Work Center, turn right on forest road I N02 and travel approximately 19 miles southeast to the junction with forest road 20NO2.7, near Bald Mountain. Turn left on 20NO2.7 and travel east approximately 3.5 miles to where the 4WD road joins on the left. There is no trailhead per se, but the road is wide enough to park vehicles safely out of traffic.
About the ride: This ride begins 1/4 mile east of Bean Rock on forest road 20NO2.7, and travels north on a low maintenance 4WD road to forest road 20N80, then follows 20N80 for 2 miles northeast to its junction with 20N23.2. The road descends through stands of Brewer oak and white fir to mixed conifer forest at the lower elevations. The lower portion of the road traverses an open ridge with vistas to the north and east, but not much shade. Dispersed camping is available nearby in the Hell's Half Acre area.
Cold Springs/Thomes Pocket
Distance: 16 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting there: 1-5 to Corning. West on Corning Road from Corning to Paskenta. In Paskenta, take the right fork, which is the M2 recreation road, also known as forest road 23NO 1. Go past Whisky Saddle, past the end of the pavement, and past Howell Saddle (always stay on the main road—there are numerous smaller roads to the right and left). Twenty-five miles from Paskenta you will arrive at Cold Springs Station. There is a drinking fountain and a parking lot there.
About the ride: This ride begins at Cold Springs Station, travels northwest on forest road 23NOI and ends at the Thomes Pocket campground. Forest road 23NOI is a medium to low maintenance road and consists of numerous switchbacks that dip into many small canyons. This full day ride challenges even the hardiest cyclist and requires that riders be in top shape and prepared for overnight camping if necessary. Camping is available in an undeveloped campground at Thomes Pocket.
Hell Hole
Distance: 3.5 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting there: Hwy. 101 N past Willits to Longvale. Hwy. 162 to Covelo. From Covelo, travel on Hwy. 162 approximately 12 miles east to Eel River Work Center, turn left on forest road N02 and travel approximately 4 miles northeast to the trailhead. The trailhead is a turnout on the left side of the road and is marked only with a hiker symbol sign.
About the ride: This ride begins at the south end of the trail at the trailhead on forest road I N02. The trail is currently designed primarily for foot and horse use, so trail width, grades and tight turning curves present challenges to the rider's skill and strength. The trail winds through grassy glades, oak woodlands, and shady stands of mixed conifer.
Many picnic spots are scattered along the way, and a nice place to camp lies at the north end at Hellhole Canyon. The best seasons of use are spring/early summer and fall. Eel River Campground is about 4 miles from the trailhead, adjacent to Eel River Work Center.
Kingsly Glade/Slab
Distance: 8 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Moderate
Getting there: I-5 to Corning. West on Corning Road from Corning through Paskenta. In Paskenta, take the right fork at the Toomes Road intersection. Toomes Road becomes the M2 recreation road and is also forest road 23NO1. Travel 18 miles west on forest rest road 23NOI to the forest road 24NOI intersection (pavement ends). Turn left on 24NOI and travel 4.3 miles to the Kingsly Glade Campground.
About the ride: This ride begins at Kingsly Glade Campground, travels forest road 24NOI and ends where forest road 24N01 and Thomes Creek meet. This mid-elevation ride through conifer/oak forest is situated on a medium to low maintenance road. The ride offers a strenuous day ride for most mountain bike enthusiasts. The first 6 miles of the ride is a moderate downgrade on a smooth road in dense forest. The road gets steeper the last 2 miles and winds down rocky grades on brushy hills that follow Thomes Creek. It's all downhill to Thomes Creek where you can take a quick dip in the deep, cool water before starting the return.
Letts Lake Loop
Distance: 7.5 Miles
Type: Unimproved dirt road
Difficulty: Beginner
Getting there: West from Interstate 5 on Maxwell/Sites Road to Sites. Continue west on Sites/Ladoga Road to Ladoga Road, to Ladoga. Continue west on Ladoga/Stonyford Road to Stonyford. From Stonyford. travel west on the Fouts Springs/Letts Lake Road to Letts Lake Campground. This area can also be accessed from Interstate 5 at Willows. Travel west on State Highway 162 to Elk Creek then south on County Road 162 to Stonyford.
About the ride: This route offers a nice, high-elevation ride through conifer/oak forest. The route is situated entirely on low maintenance level roads that are well signed and easy to follow. This loop offers a moderate day ride for most mountain bike enthusiasts with a few sustained grades. The route is easiest to follow in a clockwise direction. The only developed camping area along this route is at Letts Lake, where potable water, restrooms and garbage service are provided during the recreation season. Camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Letts Lake.
Mibner Ridge Loop
Distance: 7.5 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting there: (same as Letts Lake Loop)
About the ride: This route offers a real challenge to experienced mountain bike enthusiasts. The loop consists of low maintenance level dirt roads and portions of three OHV trails designated for two-wheeled use only. The trail portions constitute a total of 2.3 miles and include some single-track opportunities. This route offers a variety of challenges in a conifer/oak forest including tight corridors through the trees, steep gradients with rocks, ruts and rolling dips and even a low water stream crossing of Miner Creek.
The route offers scenic views of Snow Mountain and St. John Mountain and overlooks the deep rugged Mill Creek Canyon to the south. The route is fairly well marked using portions of OHV trail 13, 14 and 15 to complement the road portions. Bike riders must be cautious of dirtbikes using these trails. This is a strenuous day ride, and should only be attempted by expert riders. The route offers equal challenge in either direction. Letts Lake offers camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating in season.
South End Loop
Distance: 24 Miles
Type: Unimproved dirt road
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting there: West from I-5 on Maxwell/Sites Road to Sites. Continue west on Sites/Ladoga Road to Ladoga then continue west on Ladoga/Stonyford Road to Stonyford (28 miles). From Stonyford travel 9 miles west on the Fouts Springs Road (M 10) to the Davis Flat/Fouts Springs Staging Arm or, turn off at 6 miles onto the Trough Springs Ridge Road (M5) and travel west about 7 miles to Old Mill Campground. To get to Dixie Glade, Mill Valley and Letts Lake, continue west on M 10 and follow the signs. Distances from Stonyford to these three campgrounds are 13.5, 16 and 19 miles respectively. All these areas can also be reached from I-5 at Willows by traveling 22 miles west on State Highway 162 to Elk Creek and then 18.8 miles south on County Road 306 to Stonyford. This loop can be started from several staging areas including all Fouts Springs area campgrounds, Mill Valley, Letts Lake, Old Mill and Dixie Glade Campgrounds.
About the ride: A rigorous day ride for hardy bike riders, or a more moderate 2- or 3-day trip for those who choose to camp out along the way. Several good camping areas exist along the route. The developed sites mentioned above, with the exception of Old Mill and Dixie Glade, have potable water, vault toilets and garbage collection during the recreation season. It is important to note that the Deafy Glade Trail leaving Dixie Glade Picnic Area is open for horse and foot trawl only. Mountain bikes are prohibited from using this trail, which accesses the Snow Mountain Wilderness. The route uses a 2.7-mile portion of surfaced county road, with the rest of the loop being unsurfaced, low maintenance level Forest Service roadways, including a portion of the Mendocino OHV Corridor on Trough Springs Ridge. One of the highlights of this route is Letts Lake. This 30-acre lake offers fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating and many other water-based recreational opportunities. Other recreation opportunities are concentrated in the Fouts Springs Valley, where Mill Creek and the South Fork of Stony Creek merge. This valley offers access to one of the most popular riding areas in Northern California.
Travelers Home National Recreation Trail
Distance: 3.5 Miles
Type: Low maintenance dirt road
Difficulty: Moderate
Getting there: Hwy. 101 N past Willits to Longvale, Hwy. 162 to Covelo From Covelo, travel on Hwy. 162 approximately 10 miles east to the junction with Blands Cove Road, turn left and proceed approximately 3 miles northeast to the trailhead. The trailhead is marked with a sign that reads "Travelers Home Trail Park" across the road from the gate.
About the ride: This ride begins just past the sharp left bend in the road, where a gated private road joins the main road on the right. The first 1/2 mile of the ride is along the private road; the trail departs on the uphill (left) side of this road approximately 50 yards past a large log landing. The trail is currently designed primarily for foot and horse use, so trail width grades and tight turning curves present challenges to the rider's skill and strength. The trail winds through grassy glades, oak woodlands, and shady stands of mixed conifer. Many picnic and camp spots are scattered along the way. Eel River Campground is about 5 miles by road from the trailhead, adjacent to Eel River Work Center.
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