Last weekend Forest Trails Alliance (FTA) put on a three day epic mountain bike ride starting in Forest City and ending in Downieville. The adventure was supported by two sag wagons – a VW van and an extended cab pickup. Generally the ride went: breakfast, break camp, 3 hrs of riding, meet up with sag wagons for lunch, 3-4 more hours of riding then the sag wagon would meet the group at the evening’s campsite with camping supplies and dinner.
Staging photo: commence climbing.
The route went from Forest City up the sweet Sandusky Trail singletrak to the Pliocene Ridge Rd Staging Area. From there it followed Pliocene Ridge Rd to some singletrack around Jackson Meadow. From Jackson Meadow, the trip headed north, up Hennas Pass Rd to Keystone Mountain, Campsite No. 1, which was directly across the drainage from the Sierra Buttes. That evening was spent eating tasty grub, producing music in a circle and watching an amazing sunset from the kraggly outcroppings of Keystone Mountain.
Discussing Safety with the Sierra Buttes (campsite no. 2) in the background.
Day two the route descended down an old mining road to the K------- Mine where it intersected an amazing section of single track that plummets to the bottom of the drainage with 15 switchbacks (major thanks to TomE. for walking this trail earlier in the week and getting it in pristine shape for the adventure). After this singletrack, the route headed to P----- Creek campgrounds where we found a wonderful swimming hole and had lunch. After lunch it was off to Sierra City where we began the 3000 ft. climb to the Sierra Buttes where Campsite No. 2 was located. After the grind to the top, camp was made and evening shenanigans pursued.
Captured Spring running out of the mountain near K----- mine.
Looking at the climb from Sierra City to the Sierra Buttes
This artesian well made for a nice, cool stopping point during our climb up to the Buttes.
Sun Setting on the Sierra Buttes – from campsite no. 2
Typical Dinner: Potato Salad, Corn on the cob, and a Grilled BBQ chicken salad.
Day three started with a 500 foot steep climb straight out of the gate to the top of the Sierra Buttes where we intersected another trail that we followed for an additional 8 miles to ------ Lake where lunch was served. After lunch we continued on the perfect cycle trail descending to Hawley Lake where supposedly petroglyphs exist on the rock nearby. From Hawley lake the route took an exciting downward trend to Downieville. Our route: Polly Creek Trail => Butcher Creek Trail => random moto road => 3rd Divide => 1st Divide => Downieville.
Breakfast preparations for Day 3.
Topping the climb near the summit of the Sierra Buttes.
Lunch at ------- Lake.
All smiles after Butcher Creek.
We only had mild forms of tragedy, mostly in the form of flat tires (I got 3! Thanks TomE. for all the extra rubber), with no serious injuries – though Chris Ruedy’s bloody knee was looking pretty rough by the time we made it back to Forest City. It’s safe to say everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ride, sites and company of the weekend.
