Fresno trails report

[Particle]

It's been a wierd year for me...to say the least. It's now been almost 8 months (!) since we moved to Fresno, my wife started a new job here, and I started commuting back and forth between SLC and Cali. Besides the obvious wierdness of essentially living in two places at once, the dichotomy really set in hard with the winter.

Going from this:


...to 60-degree weather every week has been, well, confusing. But it's not so bad. Mostly I just miss the wife when I'm off skiing pow and working.

But on to the real point of the thread: since I haven't been in Fresno for any considerable amount of contiguous time, it's been hard to get out on the bike and explore, but I've managed to find a few gems. There are a few High Sierra trails that I rode this summer that were pretty fun, but thought I'd share some foothill action I've ridden recently.

This is from a trail called 007 that they actually used to host a DH race on; reminiscent of a giant bobsled for all the SLC mags, plus some cool log drops, doubles, rock gardens, and other fun features:

not bad for a road climb:


upper tech section of trail:


lower section with a little ladder drop. unfortunately the approach to it was so washed out/sandy from the motos that it was almost impossible to line up on the stupid thing.

[Particle]

...the other super good trail I've found is only about 25 mins from our house, but it's definitely XC. the first mile on the approach and return is about an 800 vert pukefest. the return just about killed me tonight, but there are some really fun shoreline-type sections with curvy fast berms, and of course the steep 1-mile descent back to the car is a blast. And the scenery over Millerton Lake and the San Joaquin River doesn't suck either.







the real problem is finding people to ride with; haven't really met anyone out here other than hospital people (wife's coworkers), but there are a few MTB clubs out here and I've seen some dedicated riders so there's hope.

Oh and I even saw some REAL tele and AT skiers up in Sequoia National Park yesterday! That was exciting. Apparently there is actually some pretty good touring up there when the snow is decent (which it's not right now).

[fondigley]

Looking good Particle. I like the looks of those trails and those pics has me wanting to get out and ride more of the country, after ski season that is.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

hmmm...nice pics Particle. I haven't thought about mtb-ing in a long time, but those pics looks so much like my local trails around here. Your 007 pics are reminding me of Auburn/Nevada City trails....and the XC of your local trail could have just as easily been taken at my local XC trail....looks like they both ride right along the river.

damn....I gotta get on gettin me some lights.

[Telenater]

Word is that there are some nice granite slabs to go ride around on down Fresno way.

Of course, we should go hit the loon lake area up for some of it's "slick rock" style riding too.

[myles long]

i live in the bay area but i hve family in fresno that i visit pretty reularly....i would love to check out those trails some weekend. PM when you re going.

[Particle]

Yeah it's been funny to think about MTB (and to actually go on rides) in January, February. But hey it could be worse! Oh that XC trail is called the San Joaquin River Trail, and it actually extends all the way up about 26 miles one way up to a higher trailhead...supposed to be a sick ride...but brutal.

Only real problem here is a lack of DH-type trails; 007 is about it. Guess I'll just have to make some trips to Auberry and Downieville this year

Tele the only granite slabs I know of w/ trails around Fresno are like miserable miserable climbs...yergh. But I'd be down for checking out some slickrock type stuff for sure. Where is loon lake?

And myles that's super good to hear; I'll definitely drop you a PM next time I head out.

[Telenater]

Loon lake is just west of Desolation wilderness.

I haven't actually been there, but it's one of the trail heads for the rubicon trail and in the area are large expances of granite intrusions including at least one very large granite slab.

I've heard reports of mountain biking in the area that vary from amazing to miserable. I'm into punishing myself and think it might be fun.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I've heard reports of mountain biking in the area that vary from amazing to miserable. I'm into punishing myself and think it might be fun.

Yup...

The miserable part is the trail known as The Loon Lake Death Loop (look it up on mtbr.com)

The fun part is the Slickrock Playground as I've heard it sometimes called.

Both in the same area around Loon Lake. We never did spend that weekend up there this summer exploring. Will have to this year.

[LegoSkier]

I'm into punishing myself and think it might be fun.

Just wait till you see what I've got cooked up for us to do this summer.

[Mastadon]

Yeah I drove through fresno on my way to slc this summer looked like an awesome place to live-ride. I just would miss lift access biking although im sure you guys do some shuttles

[Telenater]

Just wait till you see what I've got cooked up for us to do this summer.

Do tell.....

[Particle]

ja - you got it, 007 is right by bass lake...it crosses the road a bunch of times so plenty of shuttle options there. there are definitely lots of long rides but LOTS of fire roads...bleh. Although I did ride an upper section last summer up at Shuteye Peak with lots of granite jeep road slabs that really reminded me of Moab terrain, just gray/white instead of orange.

tele and ts - if I don't make it up to Kwood this winter we'll definitely have to do some exploring/riding this summer...

[CS]

Yeah, not a lot of DH trails around Fresno. There is a fun/short little shot up by Bass Lake called Cold Springs, and another xcish with buttery-fast singletrack by Bass Lake called Goat Mt. I can get to 'em, but can't really give directions. Just ask the guys at a local shop.

Oh, and Particle, don't forget that Mammoth is only around 4 hours away once the pass opens.