Northcoast Bike Rides

Bear River Ridge Finishers 2012

2012-01-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

2012 Banana Slug Ride Series

2011-12-07T05:21:00.000-08:00

The third annual Banana Slug Winter Training Rides will begin in January. We are planning four rides this year. Join us for some adventure.

January 21^st- Bear River Ridge
35 mileroad ride, 6 miles of gravel
Start: 10:00 AM, Ferndale Fairgrounds

February 11^th- Butler Valley
50 mileroad ride, some gravel and lots of pot holes
Start:9:00 AM, Arcata Community Center parking lot

March 3^rd - Dyerville Loop
64 mileroad ride, 18 miles of gravel
Start: 10:00AM, Humboldt Redwoods State ParkVisitor’s Center, Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA

April 1^st - Tish Tang
20 milemountain bike ride
Start:10:00 AM, Horse Linto Campground, Willow Creek

We will be posting ride details on the Bigfoot Bicycle Club Blog

There are no license requirements or event fees, but to participate you must be a 2012 bike club member so join now.

Forks of Salmon Loop

2011-09-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

Distance: 100 miles
Climbing: 10,000
Difficulty: Epic
Start: Forks of Salmon or Etna

The Salmon River Loop is a beautiful low traffic century in Siskiyou county. Here's a link to the Siskiyou Velo route description

We completed the ride in a clockwise direction starting at the Forks of Salmon Post Office. This is an easier way since you hit the toughest climb first. We also had the luxury of stopping for lunch at the Etna Brewery!

If you start in Etna you have to tackle the most difficult climb last after a long hard day. This ride rates as an epic, just like the Tour of the Unknown Coast. The scenery is spectacular and it is a must do for any north coast cyclist, even if the start is 2 hours from the coast. Traffic is generally light until you reach Highway 3, which you won't mind at all. In fact, at one time our squirrel count was higher than our car count!

The route would also make an excellent tour with several campgrounds along the way.

I have not provided a detailed route description because the ride can be started anywhere along the loop and there are few turns and lots of road signs. We started in Forks of Salmon, took Sawyers Bar Road to Etna, Highway 3 towards Callahan, and Callahan/Cecilville Road back to Forks of Sallmon.

Forks of the Salmon Loop

Blogger Issues

2011-08-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

Blogger seems to be hiccuping on my slide shows. This appears to be a blogger problem and hopefully it will clear up soon. Sorry for the weird slide show. If you click on the bottom of the slide show you should be able to view the photos at Picasa.

Lost Coast Tour

2011-08-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Cumulative Distance: 93.65 miles
Cumulative Climbing: 14,768 feet
Difficulty: Epic
Type: Mixed, 37 miles of dirt roads
Start: Ferndale

The Lost Coast Tour is an alternative to touring down Highway 101, the Avenue of the Giants, and Highway 1 between Eureka and Fort Bragg. The tour can be included in your coastal tour or completed as a fun short tour that can be made into a loop or a point to point. I completed the ride in the summer of 2011 as a counter clockwise loop from Eureka to Usal and returning via Leggett and Highway 101.

The Lost Coast is shrouded in mystery, myth, and adventure. This post provides a reasonable way to complete the tour including recommended equipment, distances, and stops. I'm sure a maniac could complete it in one day, but I recommend at least 3 days. I believe any experienced cyclist can complete the tour if you are patient and pace yourself.

Here are my recommendations for equipment. I'm sure you could complete the ride on most any bike, but some would be better than others. I would not recommend a road racing bike with narrow tires and overloaded rear rack. A mountain bike or touring bike with ample gearing and wide tires is mandatory. I completed the ride on a loaded steel touring bike with a triple crankset, mountain bike cassette, 650B x 42mm Grand Bois Hetre cushy tires, 40 pounds of gear, 4 water bottles, and spare parts. At times I wished I had ridden my 29er and gone for a superlight off-road setup like this set up or as described in these articles on the Adventure Cycling Association website. There were times when I really wanted to bomb the gravel road descents, but had to carefully pick my lines and control my speed to avoid crashing or pinch flatting.

Make sure your bike is in great mechanical condition.

Choose reliability over speed.

Have extra water carrying capacity such as multiple bike bottles or a hydration pack. Water stops are critical strategic points. Don't pass one up without filling up. It's a good idea to bring a water treatment system such as a filter.

Bring extra food. There are only two stores and they are located early in the ride.

Don't rely on a cell phone for safety. I had poor cell coverage for most of the ride.

Let someone know your route and stick to it.

Bring enough clothes to cope with extremes in temperature. I experienced cold 47 degree drizzle to temperatures in the 90s.Don't do this ride in the winter. The Usal road is not maintained during the winter and would be impassable because of the sticky clay surface.

The following are some route recommendations and directions. I won't be overly-detailed, so the ride will still have some adventure left for the rider who chooses to follow these directions. The best advice I read was from John Zilly’s book “Wild Pigs: The Mountain Bike Adventure Guide to the Pacific Coast,” where he describes this same route. If you are used to 100 mile days on a road tour, expect only 30 mile days on the Lost Coast.

DAY 0- Eureka to Ferndale
Distance: 16.65 miles
Climbing: 694 feet

The real starting point for the Lost Coast is Ferndale. The ride from Eureka to Ferndale can be easily accomplished by riding down 101, taking the Ferndale exit and following the signs to Ferndale. However, if you want to avoid riding on the Highway as much as possible, follow this description.

0- Start, Herrick Avenue Exit, Highway 101
3.8- Exit 698 for Tompkins Hill Rd toward College of the Redwoods
4.3- Right towards College of the Redwoods
6.9- Right on Hookton Road, turn right and continue over Highway on overpass
7.2- Continue straight on Eel River Drive, don't get on the Highway
9.8- Loleta, Straight or turn left on Loleta Drive to the Loleta Cheese Factory or Loleta Bakery
11.6- Right on Fernbridge Drive towards Fernbridge
12.2- Right on CA-211 towards Ferndale
16.0- Turn right onto Van Ness Ave towards the Fairgrounds, or straight into town for supplies
16.5- left onto 5th street
16.65- Arrive at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds

The camping at the fairgrounds is simple and cheap, but there are warm showers and lots of good restaurant options downtown. Plus, this is the best place to start since it is only 3/4 of a mile from the start of the route.

REFER TO THE ROUTE SHEET FOR TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS

DAY 1- Ferndale to A.W. Way Campground
Distance: 35 miles
Climbing: 4520 feet

The day starts off with a climb up the Wildcat/Mattole Road. The road is narrow, but there is little traffic and the drivers are polite. If this steep paved climb makes you doubt your fitness, you have not seen anything yet. You should consider turning around because the dirt roads in the King Range are much more challenging. There are two big climbs on the route within the first 20 miles. The first climb tops out at 1909 feet at the 7.2 mile mark. The descent into Capetown will challenge your brakes and descending skills. If you have weak brakes now, consider turning around or adjusting them. The dirt roads in the King Range are much steeper. The next climb isn’t as long, but there are a series of tough switch backs and uneven pavement that will test your bike handling and climbing skills. You get to bomb down the 18 plus percent “Wall” on the way down to the ocean. This is a nice treat if you are used to climbing the Wall during the Tour of the Unknown Coast.

After a nice tailwind along the ocean you head inland climbing towards Petrolia. At mile 29.6, stop at the Petrolia store for supplies. They have a small market with basic supplies, but can also make great deli sandwiches. You are in store for more climbing before you reach A.W. Way. At mile point 30.6 you will turn left after crossing the Mattole River. An alternative camp site is located down Lighthouse Road on the ocean at the Mattole Campground

As you head east along the Mattole River you will be challenged by the last significant climb of the day, the “Dump Hill” at mile point 33. There are a couple of tough switchbacks that will have you fighting your bike. From here it is an easy ride into A.W. Way Campground at mile point 36. The campground has recently been upgraded with a brand new bathroom and hot showers! Pushing on to the Honeydew Creek campground is a mistake. A.W. Way has a nice swimming hole and there are several river-front camping sites to pick from. In contrast, Honeydew Creek is smaller, less private, and has no potable water. There are no showers or flush toilets like A. W. Way.

Day 2- A. W. Way Campground to Wailaki Campground
Distance: 30.5 miles
Climbing: 4921 feet

Today you will get your first taste of gravel road touring. The ride to Honeydew Store at mile marker 8.1 is fairly uneventful with a couple of small climbs. Stock up on water and supplies at the Honeydew store before heading into the wild. The real challenge begins just after the 10 mile mark on Wilder Ridge Road. The road starts to climb and switchback at perhaps the steepest grade so far. A 0.4 mile gravel switchback section challenges you to keep you front wheel from washing out and your rear wheel from loosing traction. After 11.6 miles, the slope becomes more gradual, but the climb continues all the way to Kings Peak Road at mile point 15.8.

Now the real challenge begins on a steep gravel descent to Bear Creek. Your brakes and handling will be challenged as you try to avoid washing out on the tight switchbacks. I once turned back here afraid of what I was in for. Be happy that you don’t have to climb this beast of a road. The only car I saw on this whole dirt section was a Toyota Landcruiser. As I passed them I saw a curious look in their eyes as I bombed down the rutted road on a touring bike. The rough road will challenge you as you steadily climb above Bear Creek and cross several small creek fords. Pass up Horse Mountain Campground for Tolkan, where there is potable water. This is a great base camp if you want to ride the Paradise Royale mountain bike trail.

From here the climbing continues until you reach Shelter Cove Road at mile point 28.1. If you are short on supplies, it is a tough decision to ride all the way down the descent to Shelter Cove. It’s a little over 3 miles, but it means a tough ride back out. Turn left on Shelter Cove Road and head out Chemise Mountain Road to Wailaki Campground. The nice smooth pavement, shade, and gentle topography are a welcomed change. Wailaki is an important stopping point with nice camp sites along the South Fork of Bear Creek. This is a great place to rehydrate and rest before conquering the ride to Usal. If you choose to push on like I did, expect to spend a long day in the saddle, even though it’s only 22 miles to Usal Beach Campground. It took me nearly 4 hours at a meager pace of 6 miles per hour.

Day 3- Wailaki Campground to Usal Beach Campground
Distance: 23 miles
Climbing: 4025 feet

I had heard rumors about the Usal Road being the worst road on this whole ride. I also heard stories of vehicles getting stuck on the unmaintained road during the winter. The Usal Road lived up to its reputation, but it is totally rideable during the summer. The road varies from hard packed clay to loose gravel. Along the way you will have to pick good lines between ruts left from 4x4s and the small erosion gullies left from winter weather. The road is not maintained in the winter, but it didn’t appear like it was maintained during the summer either. If you are a mountain biker, this will seem like a normal fire road or logging road ride. Riding 23 miles on an unloaded mtb would be less of a challenge. But, it is demanding if you are trying to control a loaded touring bike. During this ride I saw only one SUV and two motorcycles. You will be out of cell phone range and away from help, so ride cautiously!

Chemise Mountain road sounds like a barren and hot ride. However, both Chemise Mountain Road and the Usal Road are covered by a nice canopy of second growth Douglas-fir and tanoak the majority of the way, which provides lots of shade.

At mile point 0.95 you will be greeted by a steep gravel descent. After this white knuckle experience you will love the paved rolling terrain for a couple of miles as you pass the community of Whale Gulch. The real peace and isolation starts when you ride up the narrow and twisting Usal Road 4.5 miles into the ride. There are few landmarks along the way as you seem to continuously climb on the narrow dirt road. After 19 miles of climbing and ups and downs you will bomb down to the Usal Beach Campground, part of the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

This simple campground features private camp sites up Usal Creek, along the beach, or within a small prairie. There is no potable water here, but water may be available in Usal Creek if you have water treatment options.

Day 4- Usal Beach Campground to Highway 1 and Beyond

If you choose to push on or spend the night, you have 5.5 miles and 1300 feet of climbing to reach Highway 1. Fort Bragg is an additional 28 miles further.

Here are some more resources:

BLM King Range Information HERE

Nice BLM Map and guide HERE

Sinkyone Wilderness Information HERE

BLM Sinkyone Wilderness Information HERE

Asana Cycling Surly Big Dummy Tour has a fun description of the ride and some video of the adventure

John Zilly's "Wild Pigs: The Mountain Bike Adventure Guide to the Pacific Coast" published in 1995 details the route. I used this for my adventure. The only real changes are there are a couple sections of road that have been paved since 1995. It details mountain bike rides all along the west coast and is available at Amazon

Amy L's Northern California Bike Loop Advice Blog where she road the Usal road from south to north and then headed east towards Redway.

Nordheimer Trail Loop

2010-08-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Distance: 24 miles
Climbing: 3,763
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Nordeimer Campground

This ride is hard to categorize. The ride isn't hard because of the climbing or distance. The challenges are numerous including stream crossings, unrideable switch backs, hike-a-bike sections, skinny single track, mosquitoes, rattle snakes, poison oak, and true isolation. Once you drop into the Nordheimer canyon you are really in the middle of nothing where you would be in real trouble without a partner or survival skills. The best way to describe this is an adventure ride. All of the challenges are worth the beauty, isolation, and satisfaction of completing the ride.

If you are going to do this ride I have a few recommendations. First, don't do it alone. Once you drop into the Nordheimer canyon there are only two ways out and that is up or down the trail. Second, bring a few extra items like extra water, food, clothes, and a good map and/or GPS. The mosquitoes were swarming us in August so I recommend some type of bug repellent if you plan on staying in one place for a more that a couple of minutes. Third, plan on doing this ride in the late summer or fall. The stream crossing are difficult to negotiate in the winter and spring due to their large size and no bridges. You will be challenged to keep you feet dry even in the summer or fall.

The route involves 4 miles of road, 12 miles of fire road, and 8 miles of singletrack. Believe it or not, but the 8 miles of single track will take longer to ride than the other 16 miles even though you are descending over 2,000 feet along the way. The first single track section involves some steep narrow trail where you will be skidding your back wheel downslope. The next few miles involves narrow single track that requires intense focus to stay on track. The last 3 or so miles follow an old mining flume, which parallels the slope and rewards you after a challenging day.

Directions
0- Start at Nordheimer Campground. If you want to avoid the day use fee drive about 100 yards up the Nordheimer road and park in a turnout at the base of the Orleans Mountain Trail. Head up the Salmon River to Forks of Salmon.
4.0- Turn right onto Cecilville Road.
4.25- Turn right onto Forest Service Road 10N04. Stay on this main road for the next 6 plus miles.
10.7- Continue right onto Forest Service Road 10N03.
11.9- Turn right onto Forest Service Road 10N05.
15.54- ***Turn left onto the Nordheimer Trail. This is an important and difficult turn. The trail is not marked with a sign and it is not obvious. We piled some branches and rocks in the road. The only way Errin Odell found it was by hiking from the bottom. There are no intersections going down the trail, but there are a few places where the trail disappears near the stream crossings.
24.25 End at Nordheimer Campground.

Additional Trail Photos are HERE

Jim Davy Tour of Loleta July 11th

2010-07-05T17:02:00.001-07:00

This is a new local cycling event and it deserves everyone's support. It sounds like Loleta will really be stacked full of family fun all day too.

Here's a PDF of the event flyer or click on the photos below for a quick read: http://pages.suddenlink.net/loletaperfecta/documents/loletaruntrifold2010.pdf

Hayfork Century

2010-06-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

Distance: 115 miles
Climbing: 9,000 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Hayfork, CA

This ride isn't really a northcoast ride. It's in Trinity county and a full 2 hours east of the coast. But, about half of the field on the 2010 115 mile route were from the coast. It is a must do ride for anyone that enjoys big climbs, great roads, and lots of scenery. The first two rides have been poorly attended so I hope the organizers continue the event. The word will get out that this is a wonderful event. I know I will be coming back every year that I can!

This is an annual event put on by the Hayfork Rotary Club. There is a lot of information at the event's website

I have 3 words to describe the ride: Spectacular, Solitude, and Support.

Spectacular
There is beautiful scenery around every corner. If you bring a camera beware, you will be stopping a lot.

Solitude
Talk about lonely roads. There is very little traffic even on Highway 3 and 36. This is a truly rural route with very little car traffic, especially the first 70 mile loop.

Support

The rest stops were well supported with cheerful volunteers. There is the potential for a lot of heat on this ride and there are few places to get outside help so the frequent rest stops were welcomed. The 115 mile option is a tough ride with a lot of climbing. My GPS recorded over 10,000 feet of climbing for the ride, but it tends to over-estimate elevation change. However, most of the climbs have moderate gradients and the last big climb has low gradients, which make it more palatable.

Here is a link to the Garmin GPS data:
Garmin Connect Data

Hayfork is a small town with few accommodations. If you plan on camping at the fairgrounds expect few amenities. There was plenty of space and nice warm showers. But, the tent sites have no fire pits or picnic tables. I recommend bringing a small BBQ, camp chairs, and a small camp table. If you have a RV you are in luck because there are full hookups.

Paradise Royale Expansion

2010-06-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

New trailbuilding is underway to expand the Paradise Royale trail. Check out the map.

Thompkins Hill TT #20 Results

2010-03-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful and ideal day for the time trial. There was virtually no wind, which led to 6 new age group records. Chris Johnson (Photo Left) once again had the fastest flat course time of 25:26, but could not beat his overall record. Luke Ramseth had the fastest hilly course ride with a 40:35, which was only 25 seconds off Kevin Johnson's overall record. Thanks to Will and Tim for keeping track of riders and their times!

Click on the results below for a larger view. Rob Van Kirk also broke the 40+ record for the flat course even though his time is not highlighted:

North Coast Cycling in 1898?

2009-11-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

I ran across a Times-Standard article at the Humboldt Historical Society. The article by Don Carlton is entitled "Sunday's Bicycle Tour Nothing New for North Coast," and it was published on Saturday, August 15, 1970. Local cyclists love to complain about local road conditions. I don't think we can complain much if we consider the condition of the roads in 1898. In the table shown below there are four places on the Mattole River where the cycling route requires you to wade across the river!

Click on the photo for a larger view:

Article Part 1:

Article Part 2:

Humboldt Cycling Map:

Mendocino South Cycling Map:

Cycling Route Table:

MTB- Orleans Mountain Trail

2009-11-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

This is a special ride which takes an adventurous attitude. I'm not going to post directions or a map because I don't want anyone to get lost. Hopefully, some day I will if the trail conditions improve. There are a couple of tough hike-a-bike sections where the trail disappears and you need a guide or good GPS. For now, check out these fantastic photos from Errin Odell's and Sean Tetrault's recon mission. How does 5,000 feet of descending over 7 miles of singletrack sound?? Not only is the ride epic, but check out the scenery!

Click on a photo for a larger view

Tish Tang Group Ride

2009-10-05T11:26:00.001-07:00

Check out the Bigfoot Bicycle Club's Blog Post.

MTB-Arcata Community Forest

2009-07-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

Distance: Variable
Climbing: Variable
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Arcata, CA

It has taken me a couple of years to document the most common mountain bike ride in Humboldt County. This is because there really is no "Arcata Community Forest" ride. There are so many different ride options because of the dense network of trails. In my opinion, you really can't get lost either, but people have. All you have to do is point your bike downhill and you will eventually arrive in Arcata as long as you stay on a marked trail.

The trail system is the result of planning and work by the city of Arcata and many volunteers.

Here is a link to the city of Arcata's forest map. However, it is older and does not include reconstructed trails or new trails such as trails 6, 10, 11.5, or 18. I have an edited map shown below. The trails in red are reconstructed or new and I highly recommend trying to incorporate them into your ride. I recommend you park in Arcata and ride up to avoid vandalism to your vehicle at the trail head parking. I have personally not had problems parking at the Fickle Hill Road parking area.

Tuesday Night Ride

2009-07-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

Distance: 30 miles
Climbing: 1865 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Northcoast Laboratories, 5680 West End Road, Arcata

This is a regular Tuesday night fast training ride starting at 6:00 PM. It runs regularly from the spring through the fall while there is enough daylight to complete the ride. The pace is very fast, but riders regroup in Blue Lake near the Mad River Bridge, at the top of the climb on Highway 299, and at the Bigfoot gas station in McKinleyville. The ride is full-on from Arcata to McKinleyville and there is a sprint finish at the flashing yellow light just before the intersection of Central Avenue and Murray Road. The ride from McKinleyville back to Arcata follows the Hammond Trail at a social pace.

The ride features two climbs. The first climb from Blue Lake up to Highway 299 has a mild gradient. The second climb from Fieldbrook to McKinleyville on Murray road has steeper portions up to 15% or so. The terrain on Fieldbrook road features fun rolling hills where attacks sometimes split the group. This is a fun route through the rural countryside. The roads are often narrow with no shoulder but traffic is normally very low.

I'm not posting a route list so you'll just have to show up on a Tuesday night to ride with us!

For a view of the route and data check out the Garmin Connect data:
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Tuesday Night Ride

Shared via AddThis

BLM to Build Skills Park at Paradise Royale

2009-07-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

According to an interview on KMUD news with Gary Pritchard-Peterson, the BLM will be building a skills development area near Tolkan campground. Gary also talks about their plans to expand the trail system. To listen to the interview, visit KMUD's audio archive. The podcast was from the Tuesday, July 14th 6:00 PM newscast.

IMBA Secures $600,000 to Expand Paradise Royal Trail!

2009-04-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

What can I say but the best trail in Humboldt County is going to get even better. Time to start looking for a vacation property in Shelter Cove.

IMBA PRESS RELEASE

MTB- Paradise Royale

2009-01-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Distance: 12 miles
Climbing: 2610 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: King Range, Tolkan Campground, Shelter Cove

This is the best legal mountain bike ride in Humboldt County. The trail was built with over 4,000 hours of volunteer help. Unlike other rides on my blog, there is good information on the web about this ride including an IMBA article and a BLM Opening Ceremony article . The BLM also has a nice route map which I have posted below.

To get to the start, drive approximately 22 miles west on the Briceland/Shelter Cove Road from Redway. Turn right on King Peak Road and drive approximately 3.5 miles north to Tolkan Campground. There is a trailhead closer to Shelter Cove Road, but the campground has toilets and is located off the dirt road where your car won't get quite as dusty.

The most popular way to do the ride is clockwise, descending down Castle's Moat to Bear Creek and climbing up Prince of Pain. The real payoff is the descent of Mad Queen's Careen, which is a swoopy singletrack with jumps and fast turns. The trail is marked really well so I have not included a que sheet. Just print out the BLM map, follow the trail, and have fun!!!! My GPS showed 12 miles and 2610 feet of climbing. The BLM article states the trail is 14 miles long. I can't explain the difference, but have heard from a couple of other riders who have measured it at 12 miles too.

Click on the Garmin Connect link for a map and other ride details:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Paradise Royale

WARNING, you have to cross Bear Creek two times. During the winter swift waters could be hazardous. There is no bridge so be careful.

There is an excellent map in Adobe PDF on the BLM website:

MTB- Grasshopper Peak Lookout

2009-01-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Distance: 14 miles
Climbing: 3350 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Weott

6.66 MILES TO THE TOP

This is one of those rides that you do once to check off your list. If you are deciding between this and Look Prairie/Thornton Loop, choose the later. This is because the climb is really steep and particularly aggravating. It might be worth it if there was 10 miles of sweet singletrack waiting for you at the top, but there is not. Maybe I was just having a bad day, but I saw my GPS read 30% a couple of times as I granny ringed it up a steep climb at 2.5 miles per hour. I cursed the climb and threatened to turn around more than once. When I got to the top my GPS read 6.66 EVIL miles. If you do this ride, please don't curse me, because I warned you! I rated the difficulty as moderate because of the steep climb, but it is a short ride and technically easy since it is all fire road.

Once you get to the lookout you have a 360 degree view. If you look to the east you will see signs of the 2003 Canoe fire, which started from lightning. The fire burned particularly hot near the lookout. There are many miles of roads to explore throughout the area if you want to extend your mileage. Most folks will settle for a fast ride back down the road. However, for the adventurous there are a couple of simple backcountry trail camping sites you could use. There is Grasshopper Trail Camp, Hanson Ridge Trail Camp, Whiskey Flat Trail Camp, and Johnson Trail Camp. For more information contact Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Directions to the start:

Start at the base of Grasshopper Road, which is located 5.25 miles west of Highway 101 on Bull Creek Road. There is a sign on Bull Creek Road which says "fire lookout 7 mi." The road is just west of the entrance to Albee Creek Campground. There is a small parking area on Bull Creek Road and and a small parking area a little way up Grasshopper Road. The directions to the lookout are well marked at each intersection. There are only three turns:

At 0.72 miles stay left at the intersection of Squaw Creek Ridge Rd.
At 4.14 miles stay right at the intersection of Johnson Trail Camp Rd.
At 6.33 miles stay right at the intersection of Grieg Rd.

Squaw Creek Bridge Crossing (Click for Larger View)

Schoolhouse Peak Lookout

2008-10-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Distance: 38 miles
Climbing: 4546 feet
Dificulty: Moderate
Start: Orick

The Schoolhouse Peak lookout is a great biking destination. It is a 38 mile out-and-back from Orick. I recommend you park in Orick at the Redwood National Park "South Operations" center office building. This ride does not require a complicated route sheet because there are only two turns. Head north on Highway 101 for 0.75 miles and turn right on Bald Hills Road. Restart your computer at the beginning of Bald Hills Road. Ride approximately 17.75 miles up Bald Hills Road and turn left onto the lookout road. There are many side roads along the way, but they are all gated, except for the one fork just past the Elk Camp fire station, where you stay right. You simply stay on the main road all the way up to the lookout.

Along the way there are spectacular views from the road. During the climb up Bald Hills Road you will travel through old growth redwood and Douglas fir forest, natural prairies, and oak woodlands. The tallest tree in the world is located in the Redwood Creek drainage below Bald Hills Road. The park has been conducting broadcast burns to try to maintain the open prairies and oak woodlands. For more information, check out their website: http://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

You will need a cyclocross, touring, or mountain bike with wide tires to be comfortable on the gravel roads. Thirteen miles up Bald Hills Road the surface turns to gravel. This results in a total of 10 miles of gravel road riding. I completed the ride on 32 mm smooth tires, but I would have been more comfortable on 35 mm or wider knobbies. The first 2.6 miles of the ride are steep. The road grade exceeds 15% in many locations, so I advise appropriate gearing for your fitness level.

0- Start the climb up Bald Hills Road.
2.57- Lady Bird Johnson Grove, bathroom, and hiking.
9.89- Elk Camp CAL FIRE station. Stay to the right at the road fork.
13- Start of gravel.
17.75- Turn left to get to the lookout.
18.21- Lookout

Click on the photo for a larger view. The park had conducted a prescribed burn to maintain the prairies and oak woodlands, which often get invaded by Douglas fir seedlings.

View Larger Map

Fire Lookouts

2008-10-04T06:57:00.000-07:00

Why would I have a post about fire lookouts?

Because they make great biking destinations!

Adventure

360 Degree Views

Difficult Ascents

Gravel Roads

Local History

I have compiled a list of 16 former and current lookouts in Humboldt County. Most of them would make great biking destinations, but I have narrowed the number down to 6 for several reasons. First, some, like Pratt Mountain, are located on private land and would require permission to ride to. Second, some no longer exist and are now just remote summit locations. Third, some are located in remote areas that I doubt many people would travel to just to ride a bike. I want to document lookouts that people would actually ride to. Below are the 16 potential lookouts. For some, I don't know if a lookout exists anymore. I have highlighted the ones that appear to make good biking locations. If you have been to one on the list for any reason, let me know if it would make a good ride by posting a comment. I'm particularly interested in confirming the lookout status and access.

Big Hill, elevation 3583', Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, location T8N, R5E, SEC 8, approximately 4 miles northeast of Hoopa. Permanent Lookout Station.

Blake Mountain (LO site), elevation 5909', Six Rivers National Forest, location T3N, R5E, SEC 25, approximately 4 miles west of Hyampom. No longer a lookout.

Board Camp Mountain, elevation 5191', Six Rivers National Forest, location T4N, R4E, SEC 27 , approximately 17 miles southwest of Willow Creek. No longer a lookout.

Brush Mountain, elevation 3988', Six Rivers National Forest, location T6N, R4E, SEC 12, approximately 3 miles southwest of Willow Creek. Permanent Lookout.

Cold Springs (LO site), elevation 5478', Six Rivers National Forest, location T2N, R6E, SEC 21, approximately 5.5 miles north of Mad River. No longer a lookout.

Eightmile (LO site), elevation 4440', Six Rivers National Forest, location T2N, R5E, SEC 26, approximately 4.5 miles northwest of Mad River. No longer a lookout.

Grasshopper Mountain, elevation 3379', Humboldt Redwoods State Park, location T2S, R2E, SEC 8, approximately 3 miles west of Weott. Permanent Lookout Station.

Grouse Mountain, 5413', location T4N, R4E, SEC 1, approximately 13 miles south of Willow Creek. Private Land? Unknown lookout status.

Iaqua Buttes, elevation 3729', BLM, location T3N, R3E, SEC 6, approximately 4 miles southeast of Kneeland Airport. Building on site in air photo. Private Property access?

Mount Lassic (LO site), elevation 5400', Six Rivers National Forest, approximately 8 miles west of Ruth Lake. Unknown lookout status.

Mt Pierce (LO site), elevation 3195', private property. No longer a lookout.

Pratt Mountain, elevation 3895', location T4S, R4E, SEC 14, approximately 5 miles east of Garberville. Several structures including radio facilities. Supposedly a lookout built in 1930. No access, private.

Schoolhouse Peak, elevation 3101', Redwood National Park, location T9N, R3E, SEC 19, approximately 11 miles southeast of Orick. Permanent Lookout Station.

Shelton Butte (LO site), elevation 3568', Six Rivers National Forest, location T10N, R5E, SEC 20, approximately 5 miles northeast of Weitchpec. There is a structure on site (radio tower). According to the book Backcountry Adventures-Northern California, the lookout tower is no longer there.

Sugar Pine Mountain (LO site), elevation 3942', Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, location T8N, R4E, SEC 32. No longer a lookout.

Orleans Mountain, elevation 6196', Six Rivers National Forest, location T10N, R6E, SEC 11, approximately 4.5 miles southeast of Orleans. Permanent Lookout Station. I have been to the lookout and it would make a challenging mountain bike ride. This is also located near Salmon Mountain, which is the highest summit in Humboldt County at 6957'.

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MTB- Ossagon Trail

2008-09-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

Distance: 18.5 miles
Climbing: 1347 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Orick

This popular mountain bike loop has a lot variety. It travels through old growth redwood forest, coastal Sitka spruce forest, prairie, and along the beach. The route travels along 6 miles of paved roads before turning to 5 miles of singletrack and 7.5 miles of gravel/dirt roads. The riding is not very technical, but a lot of fun, especially the Coastal Trail which has some fast twisty singletrack. There are areas of special interest such as a cool waterfall, Fern Canyon, and Gold Bluffs beach. You can't avoid getting wet because there are several creek crossings and a particularly troublesome swampy area along the beach. If you choose, you can also camp out along the way.

To get to the start head 40 miles north from Arcata to Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway. Go approximately 1.2 miles and turn left and park near the visitors center. You may be lucky to view a herd of Roosevelt Elk grazing in Elk Prairie.

0- Head north on Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway
5.68- Turn left on the Ossagon Trail
7.38- Cross the creek and take the first trail left, which is the Coastal Trail.

7.42- Take the first trail left through a swampy area.

7.75- Continue straight at the West Ridge Trail intersection.

8.75- Stop to check out the cool 100 foot waterfall.

10.11- Stop to check out Fern Canyon. Bear left to stay on the trail.

10.36- End of the Coastal Trail and beginning of Davidson Road. There is a bathroom located in the parking area at the end of Davidson Road. Continue approximately 4.8 miles along Davidson Road until you turn onto the trail back to the Elk Prairie Campground.

15.17- Left onto "bicycle/jogging" trail. The trail is an old road that has overgrown into fast singletrack.

16.25- Straight over the bridge and continue on dirt road.

16.97- Left on road

17.2- Right on road

17.35- Go through the gate and turn left proceeding through the second gate. Follow the signs back to the start at Prairie Creek Redwoods visitors center.

Click on the map to see a larger view or print it out. The trails are well marked and the map has the major turning points marked for reference.

MTB- Bremer Boy Scout Trail

2008-09-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Distance: 9 Miles
Climbing: 2342 Feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Willow Creek

The "Boy Scout Trail" is a little known mountain bike ride just above the Bigfoot golf course in Willow Creek. The 2.21 mile singletrack trail is named the "Boy Scout Trail" because it was adopted by Boy Scout Troop 97 of Willow Creek. However, it has only been sporadically maintained over the years by local mountain bikers. The trail was maintained for several years by Willow Creek mountain bike pioneer John Dostal, but has recently fell into disrepair and is seldom used. The upper portion of the trail is blocked because of serious snow damage, which has left a dense layer of young hardwoods in the way. I had to do some serious bushwhacking to find my way. The top of the trail is marked by a small brown sign, which currently has no marking, but used to say Bremer trail. The trail is accessed by the unmarked Forest Service 7N05 road, which crosses private property. There are several new gates and a lot of no trespassing signs. Stay on the main road and follow the map points and you can access the trail. If you run into a locked gate, you have gone the wrong way, except at mile point 5.5 where you want to continue straight through the gate near the Forest Service boundary. The climb is steep and relentless. Bring along your granny gear and expect to use it from mile point 2.8 to the top at 5.9 miles. However, the singletrack is truly unique. The trail is only a foot or so wide, covered in leaf litter, and has several sharp switchbacks that only the "Hans Rey" type could clean. There are a couple of tricky points where the trail disappears in the heavy leaf litter. I hope to improve the trail signage in the future and clean up the top section so it will not be lost to the forest.

To get to the start take Highway 299 to Willow Creek. Turn north onto Country Club Road, which is the cross street at the Chevron gas station. At 0.9 miles turn left on Patterson Road. After 0.5 miles turn right onto Bigfoot Ave and park at the Bigfoot Golf Course on the left. To begin the ride, head back to Patterson Road and follow it north to the 2.8 mile mark where you turn right and begin climbing the gravel fire road.

Overview Map, click on the image for a larger view and to print out in landscape view:

Southern Detail Map, showing the Bremer Boy Scout Trail:

MTB- Tish Tang

2008-08-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

Distance: 18
Climbing: 3,826 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Willow Creek

This is a popular mountain bike ride, which is about an hour drive east of Arcata. The course is covers the majority of the expert race course from the old Tish Tang Mountain Bike Race. The trail was established and maintained for many years by Willow Creek mountain bike pioneer John Dostal.

To get to the start take Highway 299 to Willow Creek. Turn north onto Country Club Road, which is the cross street at the Chevron gas station. At 0.9 miles turn left on Patterson Road. Continue on the main road which will pass the Bigfoot Golf Course and wind its way into the forest. At 3.4 miles the road narrows so drive carefully. At 5.1 miles continue straight on Forest Service road 8N03 towards Horse Linto Campground. From this point on the road is poorly maintained. During the winter of 2008 a slide deposited on the road, which is still passable with a 4X4 vehicle or vehicle with good clearance. Horse Linto Campground is located next to Horse Linto Creek and is a simple pit toilet site with no running water. There are three campsites if you choose to spend the night in bigfoot country.

Listed below are some map points. The distance between each point is shown as well as the distance to some of the points from the Horse Linto Campground. Here is what each point represents:

1- Bottom of the downhill trail.
2- Bottom of the roller trail.
3. Intersection of the downhill trail.
4. Intersection of the 8N37 road.
5. Top of the roller trail.
6. Sign Board Gap.
7. Intersection with 7N09 road.
8. Intersection with 8N03T road.
9. Turn right on singletrack beyond the corral.
10. Bottom of singletrack and intersection with 7N09 road.

The most popular ride would be to climb the fire road all the way to the corral trail at point 9, descend down the corral trail to point 10, climb back up to point 7, descend to point 5 on the fire road, take the "roller trail" from point 5 to point 2, ride up to point 3, descend down the "downhill trail" to point 1, and return to the campground. This would give you a total of 18.2 miles and 3826 feet of climbing. However, there are several other trails that are worth checking out. The shale trail is accessed from sign board gap on the 8N14 road. The upper section is steep with a loose shale surface which is very challenging. The upper downhill course is steep and challenging as well. I don't highly recommend it because of its steepness and low frequency of maintenance.

Tish Tang A Tang Map Overview, Click on the image for a larger view or to print it out in landscape view:

Horse Linto Campground:

The top of the roller trail is difficult to find because of recent logging. Look for a large oak tree with a burned out hollow in the base. Head straight downhill to the right of the oak tree and you will pick up the singletrack.

At the top of the corral trail you will enter an old growth Douglas-fir forest:

The main fire road has seen little to no maintenance by the Forest Service and is starting to revert back to nature. At some point we are going to have to clear the main road too:

Dyerville Loop Long

2008-08-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

Distance: 64 miles
Climbing: 6,206 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Weott

This ride is an extension of the shorter Dyerville Loop, which is only 23 miles. The long ride is much more challenging and includes about 18 miles of gravel road. There are no services from mile point 4 to mile point 40 so be sure to have plenty of food and water. Expect the ride to take at least 4 hours, but most likely it will take 5 to 6 hours depending on your condition. I have completed the ride on a road bike, cyclocross bike, and on a 29er mountain bike. The best bike is a cyclocross or touring bike set up with 35 mm tires and a triple chainring crankset. The ride includes quiet country roads, gravel roads, and old growth redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants. Once you reach Garberville you have the completed all of the difficult climbing. There are many options for refueling in Garberville, Miranda, or Meyers Flat.

Notes / Cue Sheet
0- Start at Humboldt Redwoods Visitors Center located at 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA. Head north on Avenue of the Giants.

4-Right Dyerville Loop Rd

4.13-Founders Tree stop with bathrooms. No other facilities until Garberville at mile point 40

10.04- Start Gravel

10.65- Continue straight at McCann Rd

13- Right on Dyerville Loop Rd at Sequoia Rd intersection (End of Gravel)

14.12- Straight at 4-way intersection to continue on Dyerville Loop Rd. Turning right takes you back to the Avenue of the Giants.

16-Check out the cool yard art!

17.3-Bear right to stay on Dyerville Loop Rd

18.39- Start of gravel

25.7-Bear right to stay on Dyerville Loop Rd at the Fort Seward Rd intersection

33.2- Right Alderpoint Rd (End of Gravel)

40.24- Left Redwood Drive

40.54- Left to Highway 101 North or straight into Garberville for food and water

46.81- Exit Highway 101 to Avenue of the Giants

47.27- Chimney Tree Attraction

49.4- Phillipsville

53.21- Miranda- food and water

59.33- Meyers Flat- food

64- End

Below is a link to the Garmin Connect website which has ride data and a Google map of the ride.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Dyerville Loop Long

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. You can also print the map with notes. However, MayMyRide.com now charges to print out the map.

Click on the picture below to print out a route sheet and elevation profile:

MTB- Look Prairie Thornton Loop

2008-07-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

Distance: 13 miles
Climbing: 2,762 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Near Weott

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located approximately 40 miles south of Eureka. There are miles of awesome singletrack. Unfortunately, most of the trails are off limits to mountain bikes. This loop includes the best legal single track in the park, which is the Thornton multi-use trail (MUT). The ride will take you through prairies, second growth redwood forests, and old growth redwood forests. The climb up Look Prairie road is very difficult. In fact, every time I have climbed this route I have wondered why I do it. However, the remainder of the ride will soon make you forget the difficult climbing.

0- Start at the base of Look Prairie Road, which is located 4.3 miles west of Highway 101 on Bull Creek Road or 0.7 miles east of the entrance road to Albee Creek Campground. A great way to do this ride is to campout at Albee Creek Campground. The Look Prairie Road starts out as a gravel road which winds its way up through the prairie at a reasonable grade. However, the gradient quickly steepens. This is not a good single speed ride and beginners may find themselves walking short sections. It took me a full hour to climb 4 miles and I lost traction and had to hop off my bike a couple of times. About half way up the climb you enter old growth redwood forest and the road feels more like a wide leaf covered trail. The upper third of the climb is not as steep and is more enjoyable.

3.45- Left on Peavine MUT and continue climbing for another half a mile.

4.0- Descent! You have reached the top of the ridge and the first descent. You will travel along the top of the ridge which climbs and descends along the Peavine trail.

6.85- Left on Thornton MUT. You will have 5 miles of fantastic single track descending. The route is well planned and descends at a gradual rate as it twists and turns through the forest.

11.83- CAUTION gate ahead. Be careful on the steep descent to Albee Creek Campground because there is a gate at the end of the trail.

11.89- Turn left at the campground check-in station and travel over the bridge and head back to Bull Creek Road.

12.2- Turn left on Bull Creek Road.

12.96- Finish

Click on the map for a larger image and to print it out. For best results print in landscape.

Arcata to Patrick's Point State Park

2008-05-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

Distance: 45.46 miles out-and-back
Climbing: 2,321 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Arcata

0- Start at the Arcata Quad, located at the intersection of G Street and 8th Street. Head north on G Street from the Arcata Plaza. You will pass several good places to eat including, but not limited to, Cafe Brio, Big Blue Cafe, Jitter Bean coffee, and Golden Harvest Cafe. You also will pass the Outdoor Store (876 G Street) and Adventure's Edge (650 10th Street) where you can get bike supplies.

0.15- Left on 11th Street. Another recommended food stop is Los Bagels. You need to turn left from 11th to 1061 I street. Proceed west on 11th Street.

1.01- Turn right at Janes Rd. This is the point where you will begin to see less traffic and experience more rural surroundings.

1.51- Turn left at Foster Ave. You are truly in the Arcata bottoms now.

2.33- Turn right at Seidel Rd

3.34- Turn right at Lamphere Rd

3.85- Turn left at Mad River Rd

6.31- As the road begins to curve left, continue straight up and over the bridge on the Mad River. I have seen salmon spawning, river otters, and various birds. It is hard not to stop and take a look up or down the river. After leaving the bridge, you will hit a short but steep climb.

7.13- Stop sign at the intersection of School and Fischer Roads. The Hammond Trail starts on right side of road just past the intersection. Be careful of driveways. For some reason the Pacific Coast bike route heads east on School road, rather than up the Hammond Trail.

7.64- Cross Hiller Rd and continue straight.

7.78- Hiller Park. There is a playground, bathroom, water, and picnic site here. This is a good stop for the family.

8.44- Cross Knox Cove Rd to continue on the trail.

8.68- Right to stay on paved trail.

8.73- Merge onto Murray Rd for a short way.

8.98- Left to continue on trail before Highway 101 interchange. This portion of the trail was completed during the summer of 2007. Prior to this, the only option was to ride north on Highway 101.

9.28- Continue straight on Letz Road.

9.86- Continue straight at the stop sign on Letz Rd. If you want to avoid the gravel section of the Hammond trail, you will need to get on Highway 101 North here.

10- Continue on the trail at the end of Letz Rd

10.26- Start of gravel section. Be careful on this section of gravel which is fairly fine and well packed, but can be rough on standard road tires. There are plans to pave this section, but as of March 1, 2008, it remains gravel.

11.65- End of trail. Merge left onto Clam Beach Road.

13.1- Cross over Highway 101 on the overpass and turn left to merge onto Highway 101 North.

14.25- Exit the highway at the Westhaven exit.

14.43- Turn left at the stop sign and go under Highway 101. An alternative route is to turn right and take Westhaven Drive to Trinidad, which is more difficult because of more climbing. The route also lacks the scenic views of the coast.

14.48- Turn right on Scenic Drive. The road is rough in many spots but the scenery is worth it. Stop along the way at one of the scenic view points where you will likely see marine wildlife.

17.41- Trinidad- At the stop sign continue straight on Patrick's Point Drive. Trinidad has several good places to stop for food including the Eatery or Seascape restaurant. Turn left at the stop sign to explore Trinidad.

22.9- Patrick's Points State Park- Turn around here or explore the state park.

For ride data and a Google map check out this Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Arcata to Patrick's Point State Park

Click below for a route sheet and elevation profile:

Hammond Trail

2008-02-25T15:14:00.000-08:00

Distance: 23.3 out-and-back
Climbing: 500 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Start: Arcata

Looking for an easy low traffic ride? This ride is perfect for someone new to the area and forms a basic route to further adventures on the north coast. The ride heads out to the Arcata bottoms and up the Hammond trail for an easy low traffic out-and-back of 23 miles with only 500 feet of climbing. During the ride you will explore the dairy land of the Arcata bottoms which often hosts many migratory birds. You will cross over the Mad River where you may be lucky enough to see salmon spawing, a river otter playing, or a blue heron fishing for dinner. One negative aspect of the ride is the potential for cow pies in the road and numerous pot holes on the roads in the Arcata bottoms.

Detailed Route

0- Start at the Arcata Quad, located at the intersection of G Street and 8th Street. Head north on G Street from the Arcata Plaza. You will pass several good places to eat including, but not limited to, Cafe Brio, Big Blue Cafe, Jitter Bean coffee, and Golden Harvest Cafe. You also will pass the Outdoor Store (876 G Street) and Adventure's Edge (650 10th Street) where you can get bike supplies.

0.15- Left on 11th Street. Another recommended food stop is Los Bagels. You need to turn left from 11th to 1061 I street. Proceed west on 11th Street.

1.01- Turn right at Janes Rd. This is the point where you will begin to see less traffic and experience more rural surroundings.

1.51- Turn left at Foster Ave. You are truly in the Arcata bottoms now.

2.33- Turn right at Seidel Rd

3.34- Turn right at Lamphere Rd

3.85- Turn left at Mad River Rd

6.31- As the road begins to curve left, continue straight up and over the bridge on the Mad River. I have seen salmon spawning, river otters, and various birds. It is hard not to stop and take a look up or down the river. After leaving the bridge, you will hit a short but steep climb.

7.13- Stop sign at the intersection of School and Fischer Roads. The Hammond Trail starts on right side of road just past the intersection. Be careful of driveways. For some reason the Pacific Coast bike route heads east on School road, rather than up the Hammond Trail.

7.64- Cross Hiller Rd and continue straight.

7.78- Hiller Park. There is a playground, bathroom, water, and picnic site here. This is a good stop for the family.

8.44- Cross Knox Cove Rd to continue on the trail.

8.68- Right to stay on paved trail.

8.73- Merge onto Murray Rd for a short way

8.98- Left to continue on trail before Highway 101 interchange. This portion of the trail was completed during the summer of 2007. Prior to this, the only option was to ride north on Highway 101.

9.28- Continue straight on Letz Road.

9.86- Continue straight at the stop sign on Letz Rd. If you want to avoid the gravel section of the Hammond trail, you will need to get on Highway 101 North here.

10- Continue on the trail at the end of Letz Rd

10.26- Start of gravel section. Be careful on this section of gravel which is fairly fine and well packed, but can be rough on standard road tires. There are plans to pave this section, but as of March 1, 2008, it remains gravel.

11.65- End of trail. Head back the way you came retracing your steps. If you want to continue riding, I recommend you head north on Clam Beach road and continue north to Trinidad. Scenic Drive along the coast is one of the most beautiful rides on the north coast.

Here is a link to ride data and google map via Garmin Connect

Dyerville Loop Short

2008-01-10T14:48:00.000-08:00

Distance: 22.87 miles
Climbing: 2559 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Weott

The Dyerville Loop ride is a must-do ride in Humboldt County. You will experience the magnificence of the giant redwoods, the power of the Eel River, and the serenity of back country roads. Once thriving towns like Dyerville, South Fork, and McCann are now just mysterious points on the map. You should allow 2 to 3 hours for the ride depending on how often you stop to take in the scenery. Even though it is a short ride, there are plenty of hills to climb on Dyerville Loop Road including one two-mile stretch of gravel with gradients over 15% in places. This route takes a clockwise direction. However, by doing it in reverse you could avoid the steep gravel climbs and instead have an easier climb up Elk Creek Road. The perfect bike for this ride is a cyclocross or touring bike set up with good climbing gears and fat tough tires for the rough pavement and gravel. I have done the ride several times on a road bike with skinny tires, but have really had to grunt and grind up Dyerville Loop Road. The ride could also be accomplished on a mountain bike if you are not in a hurry and don't mind buzzing around on the pavement with knobby tires. The ride can be enjoyed any time of year but I prefer the non-tourist season when the Avenue of the Giants is quiet. During the winter you may not see anyone on Dyerville Loop Road. However, during the summer tourist season expect to share the road on Avenue of the Giants.

0- Start at Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitors Center, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA. The visitors center has a bathroom and source of water as well as some cool displays.
1.5- Weott is located up Newton Road. There is a post office and fire station but no other services. It is hard to believe that you are standing where the old town of Weott once thrived before the 1964 flood.
3.96- Turn right onto Dyerville Loop Road. Traffic will really die down now. I have travelled this road and not seen one other soul before. During the summer you will likely see a few log trucks.
4.1- Founders Grove. There is a bathroom located here. Take a short detour out to the 346 foot tall Founders Tree.
4.5- As you leave the giant redwoods start to watch out for dogs which may be on your left coming up.

5.0- You made it past the dogs. Enjoy the quiet, but narrow country road for the next few miles. The road rolls up and down making for a challenging ride.
10- McCann- This was once a station on the stage route and was named for an early lumber mill owner who had a mill here. Nothing remains of the town today but the beautiful scenery of the Eel River. During the winter residents have to ferry from the west side to the east side of the river since the summer bridge is overtopped. The gravel road starts here as you cruise along the Eel River.
10.82- You will start a difficult gravel climb which can be over 15% in places. It only lasts for about 2 miles. The Old Mail Ridge route ran between Bell Springs and McCann. Due to the steep slopes in this location there was a one-way hairpin turn called Devil's Elbow. The switch back turn has been bypassed by the modern road.

12.93- Turn right to stay on Dyerville Loop Road. You have finished climbing. The remainder of the ride is flat or descending.
14- Turn right on Elk Creek Road. You leave Dyerville Loop Road, which continues all the way to Alderpoint Road. You can do the longer Dyerville Loop ride and end up in Garberville. You are near Fruitland, which was established by Dutch settlers near Elk Prairie with plans for fruit tree farming which never fully succeeded because of the distance to market (Turner, 1993, Place Names of Humboldt County, California).
16.78- Turn right on Avenue of the Giants. The road is narrow but traffic is light in the off season. I find is easiest to just relax and pull over if traffic backs up behind me. This is one ride you will not appreciate if you don't stop and enjoy the redwoods and river.
17.84- Hidden Springs Campground. This campground is only open seasonally.

18.69- Meyers Flat- Services include a market, coffee shop, wine tasting at River Bend Cellars, two restaurants, and the Drive Thru Tree. You may find things a bit quiet during the winter.

22.87- End where you started!

Here is a link to GPS ride data and a google map via Garmin Connect

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. You can also print the map with notes.
Dyerville Loop Short
Find more Bike Rides in Weott, California

Below is a portion of a USGS topographic map published in 1951. It shows the towns of Dyerville, South Fork, McCann, and Weott before the floods. You will notice that there are several buildings at each townsite which are no longer there. Click on the map for a larger view.

Bald Mountain Road

2007-12-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

Distance: 46.86
Climbing: 5237 Feet
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Arcata

View of the distance Pacific Ocean from Snow Camp Road.

This route is sometimes called the Snow Camp ride, but I chose to call it Bald Mountain Road because a true Snow Camp ride would involve several more miles of dirt roads. This route follows the gravel surface of Snow Camp Road for about 4 miles before turning on Bald Mountain Road. The ride involves just over 5,000 feet of climbing, including some short 15% gravel stretches. Most riders simply use road bikes with standard tires because 94% of the ride involves pavement. The best seasons to ride are in the fall, late spring, and early summer when the road is clear of snow, but before the temperature rises and the road surface gets loose and full of washboards. The maximum elevation is just over 3100 feet near Bald Mountain, which can lead to significant amounts of snow in the middle of the winter. The majority of the ride follows low traffic roads. However, some riders may not like spending 10 miles riding on Highway 299, so this should be considered before taking on this challenging ride. There is a low traffic alternative that follows "Old 299" but this involves traveling through private timberlands, which I do not advocate. However, I will say that "Old 299" is a popular alternative of local riders.

The following route is based on one Garmin GPS so make sure to look for road signs and don't rely on the mileage markers down to the 100th of a mile.

Detailed Route:

0- Start at Adventure's Edge, 650 10th Street, Arcata, CA. Head west on 10th Street and turn right onto G Street.

0.7- At the stop sign at Sunset Ave. turn right and then immediately left onto L.K. Wood Blvd.

1.4- Turn right onto St. Louis Road.

1.55- Turn right onto West End Road.

2.7- Go straight at the intersection of Giuntoli Lane (next stop sign).

8.85- Left on Hatchery Road.

9.8- Bear Right on H Street towards the "Famous Logger Bar." Turn right on 1st Street and merge onto Railroad Avenue.

10.43- Turn right onto Blue Lake Blvd. and almost immediately left at the intersection of Blue Lake Blvd. and Korbel Road. This takes you up the "Scales Hill" to the CHP truck scales on Highway 299.

12.28- Turn right onto Highway 299. The road has a narrow shoulder averaging 2 feet wide.

22.3- Lord Ellis Summit Elevation 2263 feet. Turn right off the highway and head up Snow Camp Road. This is the dirt road on the right side of the road that immediately begins to climb. You will have just over 4 miles of gravel road that winds its way along the ridge to Bald Mountain. There are some great views coutesy of the clearcuts along the ridge. The condition of the road varies throughout the year depending on the weather, traffic, and road maintenance. Often during the winter the gravel is pounded down and smooth from traffic. During the summer the gravel is often loose and the road surface has lots of washboards.

26.5- Turn right onto Bald Mountain Road. This road is paved most of the way, but has small sections of dirt and lots of pot holes so be cautious.

32.4- Turn right onto Maple Creek road and begin the descent down towards Korbel.

36.3- Turn left onto Railroad Avenue back towards Blue Lake.

36.9- Turn left onto H street, which turns into Hatchery Road.

37.9- Turn right onto West End Road. Stay on West End Road all the way to the roundabout on St. Louis Road.

45.27- Turn left onto St. Louis Road.

45.5- Turn left at the stop sign and continue over the highway and bear right onto L. K. Wood Blvd.

45.97- Turn right onto Sunset Avenue.

46.1- Turn left onto H Street.

46.75- Turn left on 10th Street.

46.86- End at Adventure's Edge.

Here is a printable route sheet

Here is a link to GPS data and a Google map via Garmin Connect

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. You can print a copy of the map with step by step notes too.
BALD MOUNTAIN ROAD LOOP
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Tompkins Hill Time Trial Course and Loleta Loop

2007-12-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

Distance: 11.6, 15.2, 36, or 48 miles
Climbing: 2382 feet (36 mile option)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Start: Eureka

View of the Eel River Delta from the top of Tompkins Hill

The Tompkins Hill Time Trial course is an unofficial race that takes place in Humboldt County. The ride travels through picturesque farming country with several points of interest along the way. There are two courses to ride with optional side trips, making the length and difficulty entirely up to the rider. There is an 11.6-mile flat course and a 15.2-mile hilly course. Both courses start at College of the Redwoods, which is 8 miles south of Eureka. The short course is not recommended for a recreational ride because it is fairly boring, following the highway for half its distance. A favorite of locals is to combine the long course with a loop through Loleta. If you start in Eureka and do the long course and Loleta Loop, you will complete 36 miles. There is an optional out-and-back to the south jetty of 11 miles, bringing the total to about 48 miles. You can start these rides in Eureka, Loleta, Fortuna, or by driving to College of the Redwoods. This write up will detail the short course, long course, and extra Loleta Loop. This ride guide describes the route starting in Henderson Center in Eureka.

The Loleta Loop is a popular local ride. Once you get to College of the Redwoods, the route follows low traffic country roads. The route is generally flat with rolling hills and one main climb up Tompkins Hill. Plan on riding for 2 to 4 hours depending on how many stops you make. The route travels through open dairy grazing country and along the edge of Humboldt Bay and the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Eureka to College of the Redwoods

0- Start in Eureka at Henderson Center Bicycles at 2811 F Street. This is a good time to get supplies for the ride or try one of two local bakeries. Head south on F Street towards the Fresh Freeze drive-in continuing through the intersection past Jo-Ann Fabrics. The road is busy and narrow but after a few blocks you will enter a nice bike lane. As you continue out F Street its name changes to Fairway Drive. You will drop down a short fast descent, pass the Eureka Golf Course, and then go up a short climb. Continue riding until you come to Highway 101.

3.1- Go over Highway 101 and take the onramp heading south towards Fortuna. The highway has a good wide shoulder.

6.9- Get off the highway at the College of the Redwoods Exit.

7.3- Turn right at the intersection.

7.7- Pass the College of the Redwoods North Entrance.

8- College of the Redwoods Main Entrance. The Main Entrance sign is the starting point for both the long and short time trial courses. If you have a computer reset it here.

Short Course

0- Starting at CR's main entrance, head south on Tompkins Hill Road.

2- Turn right onto Hookton Road. Cross the railroad tracks and take the on ramp to Highway 101 North.

4.8- Take the College of the Redwoods Exit.

5.1- Stop Sign. Caution: Watch out for auto traffic. Cars from the right and straight ahead do not have to stop.

5.8- College of the Redwoods Main Entrance. To complete the short course repeat the loop and you will have completed 11.6 miles. Head back to Eureka the way you came.

Here is the GPS route. You have to do two of these laps.
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for CR TT Short Course

Flat TT Course
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Long Course

0- Starting at CR's main entrance, head south on Tompkins Hill Road.

2- Go straight at the intersection with Hookton Road. The road is narrow but there is very little traffic. This is the best part of the long course as you ride through farm country.

4.7- You will start the climb, ascending approximately 560 feet in 1 mile.

5.2- You are at the top of the climb. If you look to the west you will have a wonderful view of the Eel River and Loleta.

5.7- At the intersection of Graham Road bear to the right on the main road. You will begin the descent down towards Fortuna.

6- Caution: There is a sharp right hand turn. You can easily build up too much speed on the descent and blow this curve!

7.4- At the stop sign go right and head north on Highway 101.

11.9- You will begin a descent down towards Hookton Road.

13- Turn off on Hookton Road and head over the railroad tracks back towards Tompkins Hill Road.

13.3- Turn left on Tompkins Hill Road and head back towards College of the Redwoods.

15.2- Finish where you started at the main entrance sign. Head back to Eureka the way you came.

Here is the GPS data for the ride:
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for CR TT Course Hilly

Loleta Loop

This loop adds 6.8 miles to the long course. An additional 11 miles is possible by riding out to the south jetty of Humboldt Bay. First, follow the route of the long course to mile point 7.4.

7.4- At the stop sign go right and head north on Highway 101.

7.9- Take the Fernbridge/Ferndale Exit. Ride underneath the overpass and continue along the road as it veers to the right to parallel the highway.

8.7- Fernbridge. The Fernbridge Market and a seasonal fruit stand offer good points to take a break. At the stop sign go straight.

9.2- Turn left at the sign for Loleta.

11- Loleta Drive Intersection. Go straight to continue the ride.

Side trip: Turn right to visit the Loleta Cheese Factory and the town of Loleta. The Loleta Cheese Factory has free cheese samples and local foods. There is a wonderful garden on the property where you can picnic or just take a break.

11.4- Turn left on Copenhagen Road. This is a nice country ride through dairy farms on a narrow country road.

15- Turn right on Table Bluff Road.

Side trip: Turn left and go out to the south jetty of Humboldt Bay. This out-and-back adds 11 miles to the ride.

15.4- At the intersection of Table Bluff Road and Hookton Road go straight onto Hookton Road. This portion of the road is fun with short climbs and descents.

17.2- Hookton Slough Trail. Continue the ride going straight. If you need a break, turn left and check out the wildlife viewing areas at the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There are bathrooms and places to picnic.

18.5- Turn left at the stop sign and continue the ride crossing over the Highway 101 overpass. The Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is located down a frontage road just before you cross the overpass. Follow the signs if you want to check it out.

18.8- After crossing the overpass, turn left at the stop sign and cross the railroad tracks.

19- Turn left at the yield sign and ride down Tompkins Hill Road back to College of the Redwoods.

21- Finish where you started at the main entrance sign. Head back to Eureka the way you came.

Click here for a printable route sheet from Google Docs

Here is a link to Garmin GPS data and a map via Garmin Connect for the 36-mile Loleta Loop.

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com for the 36-mile Loleta Loop ride. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. You can also print the map with notes.Loleta Loop
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Kneeland Hill Climb

2007-12-02T06:39:00.000-08:00

Distance: 4.63 miles one-way
Climbing: 2132 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Freshwater

Every January 1st local riders gather at Three Corners to race up Kneeland. To some it is a race and test of their fitness. For others it is a local tradition not to be missed like the Tour of the Unknown Coast. January 1st can also be a simple test of will power because Kneeland has been covered in rain, snow, or tree branches like in 2006.

As far as I know there is no official list of fast times. A ride under 30 minutes is considered fast. The best information I have is from a Times Standard article from around 1988 or 1989 from the 4th of July Stage Race. One of the stages climbed Kneeland with the following top three times:

Chris Hinshaw, 23:25
Jim Allen, 24:38
Scott Winfield, 25:57

Chris Hinshaw was a world class triathalete who won major triathalons in the late 1980's. For example, in 1985 he was second to Scott Tinley in the Ironman World Championships. It is unknown whether 23:25 has ever been beaten officially or unofficially. It will take a world class athlete to beat this time!

During the "10 Annual" Kneeland Hillclimb, October 25, 1992, David Anderson won in 26.36, followed by Wes Thornton (26:42), Tom Herron (27:24), Mike Clark (27:31), John Bergenske (28:00), and Bob Beede (29:29), with the remainder of the riders over 30 minutes.

During the 1993 Fourth of July Stage Race, stage 5 was the Kneeland Hillclimb. Jim Allen was 1st in 25:24, followed by Wes Thornton (26:33), John Bergenske (29:01), Luke Mason (29:12), and Randy Mason (29:33)

During the Fourth of July Bicycle Race Brad Taylor won the Kneeland stage in 24:53, with Damon Kluck second, and Dave Anderson third (Times-Standard, July 5, 1994, page D3).

I have given Kneeland a moderate rating because of its short distance. However, climbing is not everyone's "cup of tea" so it is not an easy ride. The ride starts every January 1st at 9:00 AM at Three Corners. To get there travel approximately 4.5 miles on Myrtle Avenue from downtown Eureka. Once everyone is gathered the ride proceeds 3 miles east on the Freshwater/Kneeland Road to the start of the climb. The climb officially starts once you pass Freshwater Park where the County Road Maintenance facility access road intersects Kneeland Road. There is a small white road sign on the right side of the road where the road begins to climb. Start your timer here. The ride ends at the Kneeland Post Office.

Here is a link to the Garmin Connect website which has ride data and a Google map.

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. I have not used one of these file types so if you do, please let me know how it works out.
Kneeland Hill Climb
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Showers Pass

2007-11-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

Distance: 75.26 miles
Climbing: 12,506 feet
Difficulty: Epic
Start: Freshwater

Miles of gravel roads like this await your exploration.

This is another Humboldt County classic training ride. It has approximately 40 miles of gravel roads. Many of these gravel roads have steep climbs which can reach 18% in many places. This route follows a clockwise direction. Some locals like to do it in a counterclockwise direction, but I think this makes it harder. By doing it in a clockwise direction you can do the last hard climb on pavement rather than on gravel. After 10,000 feet of climbing, the pavement seems much easier.

The best bike for the ride is a cyclocross bike or mountain bike set up with fat knobby tires and plenty of gears. I would recommend a compact crankset with a mountain bike cassette or a triple crankset. A standard road bike with a 53/39 crankset would make the ride nearly impossible, but I'm sure it could be done. Make sure to take lots of food and water. I would recommend at least 3 large waterbottles and/or a hydration pack. During the summer you could encounter 90 plus degree days and even 3 waterbottles may not be enough. This ride inspired the name of the clothing brand Showers Pass, which makes high quality outerwear.

The ride starts at "Three Corners" and heads up to Kneeland Airport and beyond. Once you get beyond the Kneeland Airport there is hardly any traffic. You could also drive up to the Kneeland Airport and start there, saving 26 miles or so. The ride starts in the redwoods but you are soon riding through open oak woodland and Douglas fir forests with magnificent views. The land is all privately owned and used for cattle grazing. During the ride you will likely see a lot of wildlife, especially deer.

0- Start at Three Corners and head east on Kneeland Road. To get there take Myrtle Avenue from downtown Eureka for approximately 4.5 miles. You can park your car in the gravel parking lot on the south side of Kneeland road near its intersection with Myrtle Avenue.
3- Freshwater Park. This is the start of the Kneeland Hillclimb.
7.6- Kneeland Post Office. This is the end of the Kneeland Hillclimb. A fast time is less than 30 minutes from Freshwater Park. Continue climbing.
9.25- Bear right at the intersection heading for the Airport.
11.9- Kneeland School. There is a water fountain near the playground.
12- Continue straight at the Barry Rd intersection.
12.3- Turn left onto Mountain View Rd.
13.2- Kneeland Airport. You could park here and cut 26 miles off the ride.
14.23- Cattle Guard and start of gravel. Be cautious on the descent because there are steep grades.
20.4- Continue strait at the Jack Shaw Rd. intersection.
22.75- Bear right at the Butte Creek Rd. intersection.
23.88- Turn left on Showers Pass Rd. (Note: if you are tired you can go straight to the Kneeland Rd. via Lone Star Jct. and then turn right to go back to Kneeland, which cuts significant mileage. However, you have not truly done the Showers Pass ride unless you complete the second loop.)
30.25- Go right towards Bridgeville at the Kelly Rd. intersection.
31.6- Continue straight (lower road) at the Gorden Rd. intersection (poorly marked).
33.4- Bear right at the Stapp Rd. intersection.
35.95- Bear right over bridge.
37.8- Bear left at the Dairy Ridge Rd intersection (unmarked).
42- Turn right at the Kneeland Rd intersection.

You are closer to Bridgeville than Kneeland at this point.

42.9- Continue straight at the Redwood House Rd. intersection.
51.5- Continue straight at the intersection with Lone Star Jct.
54- CAUTION- over the next few miles you may encounter dogs at the ranch houses.
62.9- Continue straight towards Kneeland and retrace you path back to Three Corners. If you parked at the airport you need to turn right here.
75.26 Three Corners. Congratulations, you have completed one of the most difficult rides in the area.

Here is a link to a printable route sheet

More photos here:

Here is a link to the Garmin Connect website where you can see the GPS info and see the route on a Google map.

Showers Pass
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Tour of the Unknown Coast

2007-11-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Distance: 97.37 miles
Climbing: 9724 feet
Difficulty: Epic
Start: Ferndale

THE WALL! Is it a relief to know you are almost done or dread to know that the hardest climbs are yet to come?

The Tour of the Unknown Coast is advertised as California's toughest century. It features over 9,000 feet of climbing, including the infamous WALL which has a grade over 18%. It is completed in one day by hundreds of cyclists every year on the Saturday before Mother's Day in May. However, it can also be covered in two days by camping at AW Way County Park, which is 61.4 miles from Ferndale. Click on the Tour of the Unknown Coast Link for more information, including maps, tourist information, and past results.

"The tour began under the guidance of area bicycle mechanic Ron Berager and some friends who cycled the loop out and back from Ferndale informally until 1976, when the event became a fundraiser for the St. Bernard High School PTA (Times-Standard, March 28, 1993, page F14)."

The course record was set in 1990 during the final stage of the Co-Op Classic stage race. Victor Dewees (Specialized Bike Gallery) finished the route in 4:33:24. During the same stage future Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong (Subaru Montgomery) finished in 12th place with a time of 4:44:36. "Armstong showed the heart of a champion in Sunday's race. The 18-year old Texan battled back from a crash and flat that left him down more than four minutes to the leaders near the top of Panther Gap (Times-Standard, May 21, 1990, page 10)."

For more tour trivia check out my "scrapbook" at http://tucscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Surrounded by towering old growth redwoods on the Mattole Road you can't help ponder the meaning of life among ancient trees. And yes, they look better from a bike than from a car window!

Detailed Route:

0- Start at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds, located at 1250 5th Street, Ferndale, CA. There is parking, bathrooms, and a small campground located here. Head south on 5th Street.

0.8- Turn left onto Ocean Ave. which turns into Grizzly Bluff Road.

5.97- Bear right at intersection with Price Creek School Rd (sign to Rio Dell)

6.47- Bear left on Blue Slide Road. You will travel over the “Three Sisters” in the next 6 miles, which are short steep climbs.

13.1- Turn right onto Wildwood Avenue in Rio Dell.

14.4- Continue straight onto Main Street in Scotia at the Highway 101 interchange.

14.5- You will pass Hoby’s Market where you can buy additional food or water. You will also pass the historic Scotia Inn, Winema Theater and Scotia Museum.

15.2- The Pacific Lumber Company has an interpretive anadromous fish display and portable toilet on the right side of the road. This is a good stop before you head out on Highway 101.

15.92- Turn left and then immediately right onto Highway 101. The highway has a fairly wide shoulder which you will be riding on for approximately 4 miles.

20.08- Turn right off the highway at the Avenue of Giants/Pepperwood exit.

20.2- Turn left and continue on the Avenue of the Giants under the highway.

25.3- Immortal Tree. This tourist stop is open seasonally and has bathroom facilities.

27- Redcrest. This small town has a restaurant and market, both of which may be closed or have limited hours in the winter.

30.97- Bear right on the Mattole Road traveling under the highway in the direction of Honeydew and Bull Creek. Don’t turn left and go over the bridge on the Avenue of the Giants. Over the next 8 miles Humboldt Redwoods State Park has day use areas and campgrounds, which may offer facilities seasonally. You will also complete the climb to Panther Gap with an elevation of 2744 feet. You will leave the old growth redwood groves and transition to Douglas-fir forests and open oak woodlands as you near the Mattole River Valley.

53.17- Turn right on the Mattole Road after crossing the bridge over the Mattole River. You are in Honeydew which has a nicely stocked market.

61.4- AW Way County Campground with bathrooms and water. This is the lunch stop on the official Tour of the Unknown Coast.

66.8- Bear right over the bridge which crosses over the Mattole River.

67.87- Petrolia. This small town has a well stocked market. This is the last location for services before the finish in Ferndale.

78.77- THE WALL. This is the start of the infamous wall which reaches grades of 18-20%. This is when the ride really begins.

82.8- The beginning of the “Endless Hill” which is a real test of your endurance and climbing abilities.

90.64- Continue straight and downhill at the intersection with Bear River Ridge Road.

96.7- Turn right onto Ocean Avenue and then almost immediately left onto 5th Street continuing back to the end at the fairgrounds.

97.37- End at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds.

Click here for a printable route sheet

Click here for a link to the Garmin Connect website, which includes more data and a Google map of the route.

Ride to Headwaters

2007-11-18T11:19:00.000-08:00

Distance: 19 miles
Climbing: 1350 Feet
Difficulty: Easy
Start: Eureka

Elk River Road is a wonderful country ride close to Eureka. The Elk River Valley offers an out-and-back ride on a quiet country road. The scenery is wonderful and includes open fields, two covered bridges, and surrounding forests. If you are fit and ride hard, you can finish in less than one hour. If you want to enjoy the scenery, it will take a couple of hours. The majority of the ride follows roads with good shoulders or very little traffic. The ride is fairly flat with only a couple of short climbs. The weather in Elk River Valley is similar to Eureka. A coastal wind normally blows up the valley creating a little resistance on the ride back. At the end of Elk River Road, the BLM Headwaters Reserve http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/headwaters.html offers a good place to take a break or a short hike. There is an interpretive trail that documents the history of the ghost town of Falk. The trail was upgraded with new culverts and pavement during the summer of 2007. You can ride to the actual location of Falk.

The ride can be done several different ways, but the following route is a great way to do a loop and end up with about 19 miles of riding.

Detailed Route
0- Start in Eureka at Henderson Center Bicycles at 2811 F Street. This is a good time to get supplies for the ride or try one of two local bakeries. Head south on F Street towards the Fresh Freeze drive-in continuing through the intersection past Jo-Ann Fabrics. The road is busy and narrow but after a few blocks you will enter a nice bike lane. As you continue out F Street its name changes to Fairway Drive. You will drop down a short fast descent, pass the Eureka Golf Course, and then go up a short climb. At the top of the hill look for the Fairway Market.

2.4- Turn left onto Meyers Avenue at the Fairway Market. Meyers Avenue will drop down into the Elk River Valley on a short descent. The road name will change to Pine Hill Road. You will cross over Swain Slough and come to a stop sign.

3.1- Turn left onto Elk River Road. The road is in good condition with a nice bike lane. Traffic will zoom by at 45 to 55 miles per hour. Traffic can be busy during rush hour. After about a mile of flat riding you will start up a short hill.

4.3- At the intersection of Elk River Road and Ridgewood Drive turn right and continue out Elk River Road. This is the beginning of the truly scenic part of the ride. There is usually very little traffic.

5.3- Turn right onto Berta Road to see the first covered bridge. After seeing the bridge turn around and go back to Elk River Road. Turn right and continue out Elk River Road.

6.3- Zanes Road Covered Bridge. Check out the bridge or continue riding our Elk River Road.

8- At the intersection of Elk River Road and Wrigley Road go straight over the narrow bridge. Continue up the road and start a short climb. After the climb you will start a short descent. Warning, at the bottom of the climb on the left side of the road is a house with several big black dogs chained up in the front yard. These dogs make a big scene by jerking at their chains and barking. Even though they are no threat, they give me an adrenaline pump every time I fly by. You might be able to zoom by without waking them if you coast by real fast without pedaling.

9- Headwaters Forest Reserve North Trailhead. This is the end of the road. There is a picnic bench, porta-potty, and trailhead kiosk. This is a great place for a break. You could take a short interpretive hike out to the former ghost town of Falk. The town was founded in 1884 and abandoned in 1937. It’s a former ghost town because nothing much remains of the town except a few pieces of scattered timber. Bikes are allowed beyond the trailhead. The first mile or so are paved then turn to gravel. When you are ready, head back out Elk River Road.

13.3- At the intersection of Elk River Road and Ridgewood Drive turn right and start up the longest climb of the day. Ridgewood Drive will change into Walnut Drive and take you to Cutten on the outskirts of Eureka. The road is wide and has ample shoulder room.

17.6- Walnut Drive ends at the stop sign. Turn left and continue around the curve onto W Street. You will pass Sequoia Park and Zoo.

18- Turn left onto Hodgson Street.

19- Turn right onto F Street and head back to Henderson Center.

19.3- Henderson Center Bicycles. You are done.

Click below for a printable route sheet:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pW6fTi6QnC4pOxHjRHileAw

You can take a virtual tour of the ghost town of Falk and see some other assorted pictures of the ride by looking at my Flickr album below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66197429@N00/sets/72157600693167834/

Here is a link to the Garmin Connect website ride route which has GPS data and a Google map of the ride.

Clicking on the map below will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. I have not used one of these file types so if you do, please let me know how it works out.
Ride to Headwaters
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Arcata Backroads Tour

2007-11-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Distance: 51.6 miles
Climbing: 3600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Arcata

This ride features many great country roads that are popular for local cyclists. You will travel from Arcata to Blue Lake, Fieldbrook, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, and back to Arcata. You can delete parts of the ride to shorten it. The ride features flat terrain around Arcata and rolling hills between Blue Lake and Trinidad. Expect the ride to take 3 to 4 hours. Since you are never too far from town, there are plenty of places to stop. I have not included turn by turn notes here, but you can print them out by clicking on the MapMyRide map below.

Here is a link to the Garmin Connect website which has a Google Map and other data about the route.

Butler Valley Loop

2007-11-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

Distance: 50 miles
Climbing: 5,549 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Start: Arcata

The Butler Valley Loop is a favorite among area cyclists because of its challenging climbs, beautiful scenery, and limited car traffic. There are several historic points of interest to visit during the ride. The ride is not for the beginner. It is about 50 miles in length and has two difficult climbs. The weather can be variable as you ride from sea level at the coast to just over 2000 feet inland. It is often 10 or more degrees warmer inland than at the coast. In contrast, it could be beautiful on the coast and socked in with fog or drizzle up in the mountains. So be prepared for all weather conditions by carrying extra clothes such as arm warmers, a vest, or a rain jacket, especially during the winter. During the summer bring plenty of water because temperatures can reach over 90 degrees inland. It is a loop so once you are committed to the ride there are no real short cuts home. The road conditions are variable and include short sections of gravel and rough roads with potholes. Be sure to bring a spare tube, patches, and tools. Most cyclists ride their standard road bikes with 23-mm racing tires and do just fine. The ride should take between 4 or 5 hours depending on your fitness and how often you stop for breaks. The following mile points are based on one bicycle computer so pay more attention to the landmarks.

Detailed Route

Mile Point 0- Start in Arcata at the Jacoby Building, California Historic Landmark No. 783. This is located in the Arcata Plaza at Eighth and H Streets. Head north on G Street; it’s a one way. You will pass four bike shops as you leave town. This is a good time to stock up on supplies. As you head up G Street you will pass the following: Outdoor Store at 876 G Street, Adventure’s Edge at 650 10th Street, Revolution Bicycle Repair at 1360 G Street, and Life Cycle at 1593 G. After you pass Life Cycle you will want to follow the signs towards Humboldt State University and Sunset Ave. by keeping to the right.

0.8- At the stop sign at Sunset Avenue turn right and then left on to L. K. Wood Blvd. Follow the bicycle lane north on L. K. Wood Blvd.

1.4- Bear left over Highway 101 on the St. Louis Overpass.
Side trip: To visit Camp Curtis, California Historic Landmark No. 215, go straight a short distance on L. K. Wood before going over the highway. The marker is at the end of the road. The monument is the only evidence that this was a historic military camp from 1862-1865. It marks a dark period in Humboldt County history when the "Indian Wars" were taking place.

1.5- Turn right onto St. Louis Road.

1.7- Turn right onto West End Road at the roundabout. You’ll follow a nice smooth road and bicycle lane as you head through Arcata’s industrial section of town.

2.8- Go straight at the intersection to Giuntoli Ln, staying on West End Road. Here is where you leave the comforts of a bike lane.

3.3- Cross the railroad tracks. The road narrows here and becomes more rolling in nature. Traffic will begin to lighten up also. You will start to enjoy the scenery of the country as you travel through the picturesque Warren Creek Valley. The road surface is in good condition.

9- Turn left onto Hatchery Road and head north towards Blue Lake. In less than a mile you will pass over the Mad River.

Side trip: The Mad River Hatchery is located about a mile down the road if you turn right on Hatchery Road. The hatchery is open to the public and has a small picnic area as well as several ponds of young salmon. There is a restroom at the far end of the parking lot.

10- As you come into Blue Lake bear left towards the Blue Lake Museum. Note: local riders will want to bear right on H Street towards "The Famous Logger Bar" established in 1899. About 100 feet west of the museum on Railroad Avenue is Arcata and Mad River Rail Road Company, California Historic Landmark No. 842. To continue the ride, head east on Railroad Ave. from the museum towards "The Famous Logger Bar." Continue east on Railroad Ave. to the next road point.

10.9- Turn right onto Blue Lake Blvd. You will start to notice a lot of log and lumber truck traffic as you head towards Korbel.

12.2- Korbel Post Office, established 1891. You are in the historic milling town of Korbel owned by the Simpson Timber Company. Follow the road over the historic Blue Lake Bridge, dated 1928. After crossing the bridge you will begin the first of two big climbs of the day. This is a good point to shed some clothes. You will climb an average 8% grade for approximately 2.6 miles and gain about 1100 feet in elevation. A triple crank or large rear gears are recommended for all but the really fit rider.

13.2- The Old Arrow Tree, California Historic Landmark No. 164. Over the years hundreds of people, when passing the tree, would place a twig, an arrow, or a feather in the bark. One story is that Native Americans respected a tall and straight redwood tree and considered it a great warrior and they would shoot arrows into it as a form of respect. Another story is that the Hoopa and Korbel tribes were at war. The Korbel indians won and Native Americans passing the tree would shoot an arrow into the tree to show they came in peace (Turner, 1993, Place Names of Humboldt County, California).

14.9- You are at the top of the climb at the intersection of Bald Mountain Road and Maple Creek Road. Once you start descending into Canon Creek, you may as well do the whole loop. If you turn back now you will have about a 30-mile out-and-back. Turn right onto Maple Creek Road. After a couple miles you start the bone jarring descent to Canon Creek. Use caution on this descent because there are a lot of curves and potholes on the way down.

18.3- Canon Creek Bridge. You will start a short climb out of the creek. This is where you will encounter the first gravel section of road. Ride cautiously for the next 7 miles because there are several short sections of gravel road. You don’t want to be going 30 miles an hour into a curve and suddenly hit gravel. This is a good time to enjoy the scenery and keep your eyes out for wildlife. This section of the ride offers the most solitude and there is very little traffic. The road is narrow and rolling with a few short ascents and descents.

26- Turn right onto Butler Valley Road. You will come to this intersection on a fairly fast descent which makes it easy to miss.

26.8- Mad River bridge stop. This is a beautiful bridge overlooking the Mad River. There are very few cyclists that can ride by without stopping to check out the view. This is a great place to eat some food and stretch your legs. There is a popular swimming hole just below the bridge. Don’t bother bringing your fishing pole. This area is off limits to fishing. As you leave the bridge you will have a short climb up to Butler Valley and the start of the longest climb of the day. From the bridge to the top of the climb, you will ascend 1660 feet in 7.8 miles. This climb is not as steep as the Korbel climb.

32.9- Fickle Hill intersection. Fickle Hill Road is a shorter way back to Arcata, but it is not necessarily easier since the road has several short climbs and one gravel section. However, it is a way to bypass the narrow and busy Old Arcata Road. Continue up Butler Valley Road past this intersection.

34.7- This is the top of the climb. Turn right on Kneeland Road towards Eureka.

36.75- Greenwood Heights Road. Stay on Kneeland Road bearing to the left. Greenwood Heights is an alternative way down to Three Corners. It is approximately the same distance. The descent is more variable in slope and includes some steep descents, flat sections, and one short climb. The Kneeland descent is more gradual and steady. You can easily go over 40 miles per hour on parts of the descent.

41- Freshwater Park. This is a great picnic spot with restrooms. The creek is dammed in the summer to create a swimming pool. As you continue past the park you will pass through the community of Freshwater.

44- Three Corners. Turn right on Myrtle Avenue. This is by far the busiest section of road. The road is narrow and has no shoulder for about 3 miles. This is an especially busy road during the morning and evening commute.

45.8- Go straight past the Indianola Cutoff.

47.7- Go straight past the Bayside Cutoff. The road gets better and there is a wider shoulder.

50.2- Go straight over the 101 overpass.

50.7- Turn right onto G Street and continue north until you reach the Arcata Plaza.

50.9- Arcata Plaza. You are done.

Click here for a printable route sheet:

Click here for a link to the Garmin Connect website which has ride data and a Google map of the ride.

Below is a map from MapMyRide.com. Clicking on the map will direct you to the website where you can view the map through Google Earth or download a Garmin Course or GPX file. I have not used one of these file types so if you do, please let me know how it works out

Butler Valley loop
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