I was a little leery going into the ride since I have never done it before and was going solo. I photocopied the directions for the ride out of the Falcon NorCal Mtn Biking guide, and I am glad I did. I checked them at obvious land marks to understand my progress and make sure I didn't miss a turn off. There are several criss-crossing trails so it was very handy to have but ultimately if you just follow the obvious mtn bike tire trails, you'll go the right way.
I chose to start at the PCH trailhead instead of the Soda Springs exit. Some of the online sites suggested starting at SS as to avoid monster climbing right at the end. While the climbing was pretty brutal right before I got to Boreal, it wasn't too bad.
I got to the trail head at a little before 11 and was on the bike off the pavement pretty much exactly at 11AM. The trail starts left through a green gate on an obvious dirt road. Several trails/roads/camping spots lead off of it, but I just stayed on the trail which climbs gradually non-stop. Eventually you will see (trust me you can't miss it) the Hole In The Ground Mtn Bike trail on the left. Just left of the sign is a narrow single track that switchbacks up the hill. This is the one you want. Right off the bat, you start to get a feel for the quality of this trail. It climbs for a good bit with sunken concrete lattice work in the obvious depression spots and often on the switchback. These switchback in some cases were fairly challenging having to hop roots, rocks, and blocks, all while turning hard up a fairly steep trail. Before too long though you reach the top of the ridge and get some amazing views of Castle Peak / Andesite Ridge.
Immediately upon gaining the ridge, you start a sharp descent which parallels the ridge with some steep sections, narrow rocky drops with pretty much a cliff/scree slope if you blow it. This is the place where you want to start watching it and your speed. Fortunately none of the harder drops are blind so you know what you are getting into before it is upon you. You decide if you can make it or not. After the ridge you start a steep and rocky switchback decent to the valley below. This part was harder than I expected and on a full suspension bike I was bouncing all over the place. The individual drops weren't all that difficult, the true difficulty comes in a the sustained nature of the decent. It just keeps going, drop, to a drop, to a sharp corner, to a drop, to a drop etc... Several times I tire tracked my ass on my rear tire I was so far back.
Once you reach the bottom of the valley the riding is spectacular and the climbers in us will cause you to be eye-balling the boulders and cliffs. Definitely would be some sweet bouldering back there! With those rocks comes a lot of slick rock/trick riding if you're into that stuff. Since I didn't know how long it would take me to complete the trail, I just rode through, but there were a lot of cool "play" spots that you could have fun on if so inclined. I missed the Sand Ridge Lake turn off, and it didn't realize it till it was too late to turn around. At this point you are crossing a valley floor with no major climbs or decent and riding on a perfectly manicured mtn bike trail that is elevated across the meadows and also has some fun (and some were still running) stream crossings. Interspersed between the meadows are brief rock gardens that will keep you on your toes.
You begin a lengthy but moderate climb out of the valley that keeps you working but is not as steep as the initial opening climb. Once you gain the next ridge (which isn't really obvious since you stay on the backside of it) you start a fast descent with a much different nature than the 1st. While the 1st is rocky, this is loose "sandy" dirt with roots and divits. The trail can sneak speed on you and you can find yourself really rocketing down the trail with a semi-technical section around the next bend. There isn't anything too hard though except one section (which is obvious when you get there) where the trail does a sharp right drop at a large group of rocks that I was unwilling to try. I walked it and figured no need ruining a perfectly good day.
The decent keeps going and you begin to get out of the trees/dirt and back into a rocky section. This is by far the most technically challenging part. You start crossing some slabs and then get too a steep lattice of concrete blocks that literally nose dives straight into a depression. I leaned back as far as I could and just went for it. Over the front! About 1/2 way through the ejection I ditched the bike and was able to "cat land" and spring back up without face planting. My bike did the full cartwheel. I nervously inspected it for damage, but barring a few scratches, it was all ok. Trust me, you will know this section when you see it, hehe
Before too long after that you hit the Lower Lola Montez Lake turn off. It is worth it as it is maybe 100 yards to the lake off the main trail. I relaxed on a slab overlooking the river for about 15 minutes, ate a Power Bar, splashed some water on my face etc.., then got back on the trail. Definitely stop by this one, I am not sure what Sand Ridge Lake is like, but this one is worth it for sure.
Back on the trail where you immediately cross a major stream. I didn't ride it as it was deep but there were 2 logs to carry your bike across on. Back on the trail and you start climbing out of the valley back to the final descent to Donner Pass Road. The climb is sustained but not horrid, but taxing since by now you're getting tired (or at least I was). Once you gain the ridge you pick up a nice dirt/gravel road and get to bomb down on a relatively nice road with the occasionally rollover that you can get nice air off of
The guide warn you to pay attention as to not miss the trail turn off, but it must've been re-signed as signs on both sides of the road announce the turn off.
The next part is by far the most difficult of the whole trail. It is not "technical" per say, just a steep hill with non-stop wooden "stairs" that riding down would be insane partially due to the loose dirt. I alternated riding the trail sections and carrying the stairs. Once passed the stairs, you quickly gain a gravel road and go left. Be careful here though. Even though it is easy, the gravel gets deep in a few sections and if you're going fast and "track in" your wheels you may go for a spill. You cross Castle Creek here. This was shallow enough to ride, but I did get soaked from the waist down! A few more sustained climbs on thge road. Another turn left at another well sign trailhead and back to fun easy single track. You finally gain the paved Sherrit Rd. turn right to a quick descent to the intersection with Donner Pass road where you turn left.
You cross over the 80, then pass a few stores. I was worried I had missed the turn off after being on the road for a bit, but it is a fairly long stretch of road riding before you see the "Snow Lab Rd." sign on the left. Once left you go a few hundred yards to a "Y" on a steep hill, go left and follow it up. Not to long after the summit you hit a gate that is posted "No Trespassing". All 2 print guides I have and both online guides I looked at mention it is private property but didn't mention it was signed. The myriad of obvious Mtn. Bike Tire track lead under the gate so I did too. I wasn't sure if this gate is a new thing or what, but definitely be low key while riding through this part.
And this part is where the suffering/hill climbing the guides talk about are. The hills just keep coming. Sweat was in my eyes, I was tired, and man it felt good to finally get to the top. The next section is pretty much flat/slightly downhill to Boreal. Cross the parking lot and turn left back under the freeway to the PCH trailhead and where you parked.
I got back in almost exactly 3 hours. I was tired but it was an awesome ride! Next time I will probably not push as hard and play more as well make sure to hit Sand Ridge Lake. I don't think the end climbing was "that" bad but it was punishing for sure. The temperature was perfect all day (maybe upper 70s) and it was 94 in Vacaville. This is obviously one of the premiere summer rides. I am looking forward to the Flume Trail to see how it stacks up against it!
