Mountain biking is a favorite pursuit for many visitors to Plumas County.
The surrounding forest land provides miles and miles of biking opportunities, including abandoned logging roads, trails and some backcountry roads, offering a good cross-section of terrain and topography.
Pick up a free copy of the Plumas County Mountain Bike Guide, which details some of the area's best national forest routes and other trails. The guide is available at visitor information centers or by calling (800) 326-2247.
Maps of these trails also can be obtained at the Plumas National Forest (530) 283-2050. For the trails listed in the Almanor area or for information on weekend club rides in the Almanor area, contact Bodfish Bicycles in Chester (530) 258-2338.
In the Eastern Plumas area, mountain bikers can find plenty of good high terrain in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, including a trail that leads to a tremendous view from a lookout tower at 7,340 feet. Lake Davis near Portola has a flatter trail with good bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are two trails near Frenchman Lake in the Sierra Valley, both of which are rated most difficult.
The Central Plumas area has an easy, short loop offered off the road to Bucks Lake, west of Quincy. An 11-mile paved ride takes bikers around Antelope Lake. More difficult routes are located outside of Greenville, the Feather River Canyon and La Porte. The 13-mile single track trail along Little Grass Valley Reservoir is a popular route. Near Quincy, the Cascade Trail follows the banks of a creek.
The Almanor Basin area in the north end of the county features a paved route that follows the west shore of Lake Almanor. Another flat loop trail suitable for families follows the upper reaches of Lake Almanor as well as a creek. West of Highway 89, a forest service road leading to Humboldt Summit and Humbug Valley also is a popular ride.
Plumas County Mountain Bike Guide
Eastern Plumas
Mills Peak Lookout
Distance: 6 miles (one-way)
Effort: Moderate
Average Ride Time: 1.5 hours
This trail along dirt roads in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area climbs from 6,500 to 7,340 feet to a lookout that offers vistas of Eastern Plumas County. From Highway 89 south of Graeagle, take the Gold Lake Highway to the junction of Mills Peak Road (County Roads 721/822). Park across from this intersection at the turnout. Bike 1.5 miles on County Road 721, then turn north on County Road 822 for 4.5 miles to the lookout.
Lake Davis Loop
Distance: 18 miles
Effort: Easy
Average Ride Time: 2 hours
This is a flat, easy loop around Lake Davis. Elevation is 5,800 feet, and the route includes six paved miles and 12 miles of gravel. Points of interest include picnic areas, lakeview vistas, bird and wildlife viewing and Jenkins Sheep Camp. Vehicle traffic may be heavy on weekends. From Highway 70 in Portola take West Street approximately seven miles to the Lake Davis Dam and park at the information kiosk. Bike 1.7 miles west to Forest Service Road 24N10, travel on that for 8.1 miles until you reach the junction with County Road 112. Then turn east and continue around the lake. Past the Grizzly Campground a half mile, turn south on County Road 126 and continue back to the dam.
Dixie Mountain
Distance: 15.6 miles
Effort: Difficult
Average Ride Time: 2 hours
This is a loop ride to a Frenchman Lake lookout. Elevation range is 5,630 to 7,840 feet. The route includes gravel and dirt roads and about a mile of single track. From Highway 70 at Chilcoot, go north on Highway 284 for eight miles to Frenchman Dam. Proceed straight on 25N11 for six miles to the junction with 24N02Y. Signs say Dixie Mountain Lookout. Bike west from that junction to mile post 6.4 at Dixie Trail, then northeast on 25N03 to 25N11. Take 25N11 two miles back to starting point. A side trip to the end of 24N02Y (.3 miles) provides a spectacular view from Dixie Mountain Lookout.
Crystal Peak
Distance: 10.5 (one-way)
Effort: Moderate
Average Ride Time: 2 hours
Crystal Peak near Frenchman Lake affords excellent views and passes through an area with old mine workings and abandoned cabins. The dirt road route climbs from 5,075 to 7,780 feet. From Highway 70 at Chilcoot, go north on Highway 284 approximately five miles to the juction of 24N44. Parking is available at the Chilcoot Day Use Area a mile further up Highway 284. Begin the ride at the 24N44 junction with Highway 284, proceed northeast on 24N44 to 24N12X, then north on 24N12X to Crystal Peak. For an alternative return route, take 24N02 off 24N12X at mile post 9.8 and go seven miles to Frenchman Reservoir.
Central Plumas
Summit-Bucks Creek Loop
Distance: 3.8 miles
Effort: Easy
Average Ride Time: 1 hour
This is a trail with views of the beautiful Bucks Lake Wilderness. The elevation ranges from 5,200 to 5,520 feet. Take Bucks Lake Road 14 miles west of Quincy and park at either the Bucks Summit parking area or Bucks Creek trailhead. The summit trailhead starts at Bucks Summit and continues two miles through meadows and forest. When the trail reaches the pavement (Bucks Lake Road), turn right and take the Bucks Creek trail 1.8 miles. The trail parallels and eventually returns to Bucks Lake Road. Follow the road a quarter mile back to Bucks Summit. The trail goes through White Horse Campground.
Howland Flat Loop
Distance: 19 miles
Effort: Difficult
Average Ride Time: 5 hours
This ride begins at the snowmobile staging area located just outside the town of La Porte. A map is essential. Historic mining areas and some interesting cemeteries are featured on this ride over mostly gravel road, ranging from 5,000 to 5,980 feet. From the staging area, take County Road 511 toward Quincy five miles. Turn right towards Baptist Camp on County Road 900, go two miles, past Lake Delahunty. Turn right on County Road 800, go three miles crossing Slate Creek and Sawmill Ridge. At Potosi Creek, turn right, go a half mile, and turn left onto 21N08 for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto 21N12 for three-quarters mile, and then right on 21N08/County Road 791. At stop sign, turn right, go through town, and return to the staging area.
Round Valley Lake Loop
Distance: 12 miles
Effort: Moderate
Average Ride Time: 2 hours
This route on paved and dirt roads climbs from Greenville at 3,600 feet and circles Round Valley Lake. From Hwy. 89 south of Greenville, take Greenville-Round Valley Road and continue southwest three miles to the Round Valley Dam, at 4,550 feet. From the parking lot, take the lake road going either direction, through tall trees, crossing small stream beds. The area is home to eagles, osprey, wood ducks, mallards and Canada geese. The trail intersects other side trips; more information is available at the campground store located at the lake.
Antelope Lake Loop
Distance: 11 miles
Effort: Easy
Average Ride Time: 1.5 hours
This is an easy loop around Antelope Lake. Points of interest include the Pioneer Cabin and Grave, picnic areas, lakeview vistas, bird and wildlife viewing. Vehicle traffic may be heavy on holiday weekends. Take 89 north from Quincy (or south from Greenville) and go east on Arlington Road five miles to Taylorsville. From there, take the Genesee Antelope Lake Road east for 24 miles to reach the lake. Parking is available at numerous pullouts along the route. The lake has three campgrounds.
Almanor Basin
Last Chance Loop
Distance: 12 to 14 miles
Effort: Easy
Average Ride Time: 1.5 hours
This is a mostly flat loop around the upper reaches of Lake Almanor and Lower Last Chance Creek. It includes three miles of pavement and 9 to 12 miles of gravel road. From Chester, bike east on Highway 36 across the causeway, and make a left at PG&Eís Last Chance Creek Campground Road. After the campground, continue west to Walker Road, cross Benner Creek, and continue to Juniper Lake Road. Continue on the gravel road to Warner Valley Road. A left onto the pavement returns you to Chester.
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail
Distance: 14 miles
Effort: Easy
Average Ride Time: 1.5 hours (one-way)
This route combines a four-mile stretch of old Highway 89 with the new U.S. Forest Service trail along the west shore of Lake Almanor. Begin the ride at the Cedar Chalet Bakery, two miles west of Chester on Highway 36, and head south on old Highway 89, which parallels present Highway 89. Make a left at the intersection with Humboldt/Humbug Road (County Road 309), crossing over new Highway 89. This road intersects with the forest service trail, which ends at the Rocky Point PG&E Campground.
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