Big Boulder Trail
DESCRIPTION:
Gold Valley is golden and not because of the several old mines. This is backcountry at its funest!
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6640’-5820’-6500’-4600’ | Use Butcher Ranch, Empire Ranch, Second Divide, or First Divide Trails to downtown Downieville. Or if you’re full of it, loop back to Packer Saddle via Butcher Ranch Trail -- especially if you left your vehicle near Packer Saddle. |
DIRECTIONS:
To Big Boulder Trail
Topographic Maps: Gold Lake, Sierra City, Downieville.
From Packer Saddle, follow logging FS Road #93.3 north to junction with OHV mining road dropping into Gold Creek. Easy vehicle access to here. Heading west, the first 2.8 miles of Big Boulder Trail follows OHV route across pretty Pauley Creek, continue (or not) by the short side trip to Smith Lakes (planted to rainbows and Kamloop Junctions), heading for Big Boulder Mine. Just before it reaches this last mine, it dives off to the right (west) and plunges 3.2 miles in a single-minded single track to Third Divide (see above). Advanced bike riders only -- don’t use this as a training run to learn on.
Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)
