Spenceville: Mountain Biking
This is a Wildlife Area much of it is not readily useable by mountain biking enthusiasts.
Bikes are restricted to use of the graveled, administrative- use roads:
The North Pittman Road is accessible using the people and horse gate just below the concrete bridge. This is a peaceful road for use by families looking for a short, but pleasant Sunday outings.
DESCRIPTION:
Bikes are restricted to use of the graveled, administrative-use roads: Old Spenceville Road/Trail, Shingle Falls Trail, North Pittman, Nichols and Jones Roads. All are easy but pleasant outings when riders combine several routes totaling nearly a dozen miles.
If you go beyond the trip into Shingle Falls, take a map and be prepared to hand bikes over locked gates as only two of the roads connect to each other.
The North Pittman Road is accessible using the people and horse gate just below the concrete bridge. This is a peaceful road for use by families looking for a short, but pleasant Sunday outings. Stop by Horseshoe Pond for a picnic. It can be combined with the roads/trails to Shingle Falls.
The best outing is to use the roads/trails to Shingle Falls. This is a good family outing, but none of the optional variations are open to mountain bikes.
To access the Spenceville Road/Trail, Shingle Falls Trail, and the North Pittman Road use the concrete bridge parking area. After entering the Area: Continue for 1.8 miles to the graveled Waldo Road. Follow south until cross the Waldo Bridge and then left again onto Spenceville Road. Trailhead parking and a small camping site just before it lies another 2.3 miles. Park near the old concrete bridge.
Nichols Road is a gated and un-signed road directly across from the rustic camping area just before the concrete bridge parking area.
Jones Road is a gated and un-signed road heading south from the Spenceville Road as it heads to the concrete bridge parking area.
DIRECTIONS:
To Spenceville: Mountain Biking
From the east and Grass Valley: Drive 12.5 miles via Highway 20 west of the Highway 49/Highway 20 intersection in Grass Valley. Continue to the black-topped Beale Air Force Base road (Hammonton Road). Turn left (south) and drive 3.8 miles to Smartville Road. Then follow directions listed above to each of the trailhead options.
From the west and Marysville: Follow Highway 20 towards Grass Valley and east as it climbs into the Sierra Foothills. After 15 miles turn right (south) onto the Beal Air Force Base road (Hammonton Road). After leaving the highway follow the directions above.
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Poor)
Only two of the roads/trails, Shingle Falls and North Pittman, are easily accessible without encountering gates.
But if you only ride, not walk, consider riding up to the falls. They are worth it.
