Top Ten California Mountain Bike Singletrack

Downieville Downhill: Sierra Nevada
By Will Hagen
Downieville Downhill
Get ready to rumble . . . (Will Hagen)

Cruising toward the ocean on lovely Route 49, you'll find the tiny town of Downieville. Nestled in a gorge alongside the North Fork of the Yuba River, you'll discover so much singletrack that when you leave you'll feel guilty for not riding more!

This is truly a multi-day destination and most of the motels are fairly priced and bike friendly. The classic 10-mile Downieville Downhill (i.e. Butcher's Ranch and Second Divide) starts at Packer Saddle and immediately swallows the rider amid glorious Sierra flora and fauna.

Not overly technical in most parts, there's something for everyone, including a sweet series of switchbacks down to Pauley Creek. After the Second Divide, don't forget to check out the circa-1885 gallows, where this rugged mining town hanged a woman—the only place in California to do so!




Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 29 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.


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