Basics
- Location:
- Downieville
- Length:
- 14 miles
- Aerobic Difficulty:
- Moderate
- Time To Allow:
- 3+ hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 7000 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 2899 feet to 7000 feet
- Elevation Change:
- -4101 feet
- Season:
- Summer - Fall
Description
The Downieville Downhill is a popular mountain bike trail, traveling primarily downhill and covering miles of terrain with little uphill effort. The Downieville Downhill passes the Sierra Buttes, jagged pieces of rock that jut thousands of feet into the sky, as it travels through the Lakes Basin Recreation Area.
The Downieville Downhill twists and turns through old growth forest and across creek beds as it loses elevation, starting at close to 7000 feet and losing 4100 vertical feet along the way with only two sections of climbing.
The Downieville Downhill is a combination of several trails in the area, the Sunrise Trail, Butcher Ranch, Third Divide and First Divide. Riders can choose to add additional trails in the area to increase difficulty and length. A popular adventurous detour is the Second Divide Trail, which travels along the exposed edge of a cliff.
Details
Location:
Length:
Car shuttle
Difficulty:
Aerobic Difficulty:
Time To Allow:
Trailhead Elevation:
Elevation Range:
Elevation Change:
Trail ends at 2899
Season:
Additional Details:
The Downieville Downhill is multi-use and riders should understand and practice appropriate right of way protocol. Motorcycles are a common sight here. Riders should also carry a first aid kit, bike repair kit and extra water and food. A map will come in handy due to the number of trails in the area.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Leave a shuttle in the town of Downieville. From Downieville take Highway 49 east through Sierra City to Bassetts Station. In Bassetts Station turn north onto Gold Lake Highway and follow 1.5 miles. Turn left and cross bridge over Salmon Creek. ¼ mile further turn right onto Packer Lake. At the fork go left onto Packer Saddle Road. Follow Packer Saddle Road 2 miles and turn left. Watch for signs for Sierra Butte. Park where the road turns to dirt. A map is handy here to select the route down.
