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Trail Description:
There are multiple ways up, down, and around. From the Jack's valley road ohv gate, head northwest (towards Lake Tahoe), first trail on right is the quickest way up (steep). As of this point you are in the Humbolt/Toiyabe National Forest. After the first major apex, a quick descent to a quick climb will bring you to 2 visible intersections spread about 70 yards apart, one downhill from the other. Going left at the first 4way will bring you west a few hundred yards and then downhill to where you started (about a 2 to 3 mile loop). The first trail to the right is the most fun way down from either this point (meaning, no more major climbing) or from the top. this will take you about 2 miles across the front side of the mountain towards clear creek/route 50. this is a very fun rollercoaster, sidehill, narrow doubletrack with many hips, berms, and a steep sandy outlet in some neighborhoods behind the topsy lane plaza. If you pass the first intersection and head towards the rock outcroppings directly uphill, there is another intersection that leads to the top right(looking uphill) of the ridge. getting to the rock outcropping at the top of the ohv road is more of a "hike and bike" for those who don't mind truckin up steep hills with their bike for the views and sweet ride down (only about 3 miles to the top from the jack's valley gate, but climbing about 700 feet). once you are on the second road to the right heading north, all roads that go up to the left will dead end after about a quarter mile up, so they are not really worth it unless you hate yourself and want to go up them for fun. the ohv road (second right) should go through a very steep and deep sandy valley which is pretty much the worst hill of the ride (going up anyway). this road peaks at about 5700 feet on a 50 foot cliff with an amazing view of either carson valley to the north, east, and south, or clear creek canyon/route 50 to the west. this is a very photogenic ride, once you have gained some elevation, the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler than on the valley floor, so it's nice when it's hot if you get up early enough, but there is very little shade, so don't go up mid-day. the best way down is the way you go up (though there is at least one other crazy trail down), once you have passed the steep sand valley and are back to the area where you turned north to go up the rest of the way (about 3 miles from top), you can take the next left you passed earlier and end the ride with the rollercoaster doubletrack that ends behind topsy lane. it is about 1/2 a mile back to Jack's Valley Road via local streets and about another 1/2 mile back to the start. going back the way you came (to end where you start)is very fast and fun as well with lots of rollers, waterbars, and great berms. this is rated advanced due to the steep, nearly unridable climbs, and the loose sand in certain areas. i expect this to get worse as ohv season begins. the downhill is fast and fun with barely any washed out areas (compared to other trails around here). it is very flowy and you can get nearly 5 miles of downhill from the very top if you end near clear creek/behind topsy lane. there are almost no rocks on this trail, all sand. it is kept fairly clear of goatheads and brush by motor vehicles. the lower portion is a great evening ride. you may also continue down the other side of where you park into the Jack's Valley Wildlife Preserve (another great area to explore) to descend 2 to 3 miles to about 4800 feet and end in Indian Hills, at James Lee Regional Park, near Mica drive. Satellite view maps of this area are very helpful since there are trail options everywhere. A ride from the mid point north ending behind topsy lane and back would be about 5 miles. From the top, down the longest way and back to the parking area, would be nearly 10 miles.
How to get there:
It is just south of Hwy 50, about 1 mile west of hwy 395 on Jack's Valley Road, you will pass a plaza with a Target store, some neighborhoods, and an elementary school on the left and pass a water tower on the right. the next pull off to the right is the start.
Additional Notes:
this may be able to be shuttled in many different ways from the top once the ohv gates are opened to
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