A few weeks ago, we talked about different adventures of the cycling variety. This week, we’re diving deeper into some of the best Mountain Biking High Sierra offers. From Lift-Accessed to Shuttle rides, there’s many ways to approach the fun you can have in (or out) of the saddle.

Bass Lake

Learn more about the biking adventures available at Bass Lake

Mountain Biking Willow Creek Trail 2016 – Bass Lake. CA Image Appears Courtesy – Visit Yosemite | Madera County

In the Sierra Foothills, just a few miles south of Yosemite National Park on Highway 41, is Bass Lake. A pine-trimmed reservoir, this lake is considered by many a smaller version of Lake Tahoe. But, this little lake with its big alpine feel does have an appealing difference from its high-country cousin: Bass Lake’s elevation is only 3,400 feet. That means its surface waters become blissfully warm in summer, hovering around 75°F. Here you’ll find a nice assortment of single track trails for intermediate to advanced shredders. From the 007 trail to the Goat Mountain network, you’ll also find shuttle-able trips anywhere from three to twenty miles in length.  

Northstar Mountain Bike Park

Learn more about Northstar California’s Bike Park

Image appears courtesy – Truckee Chamber of Commerce

Northstar Resort, just down the road from Truckee, is home to Northern California’s largest mountain bike park. A four-time top 5 winner in the MTBparks.com Riders’ Choice Awards, it has everything you need for summertime entertainment. With lift served cross-country and downhill mountain biking trails, the bike park is fun for riders of all abilities. Feeling a bit timid on a bike? The Northstar Bike Academy’s Bike 101 Package is the perfect introduction to downhill mountain biking.

Mammoth Bike Park

Learn more about the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park

Mountain Biking High Sierra
Image appears courtesy – Visit Mammoth

While Mammoth is home to winter and spring world-class skiing, in the summer, it’s all about some of the most radical mountain biking terrain in the country. Filled with jumps, bumps and drops to feast on, the area contains over eighty miles of singletrack to explore. How good is it? Well, it’s considered by many the biggest, baddest and best bike park in the U.S. You’ll have to be the judge.

The Flume Bike Trail

Learn more about the Flume Bike Trail

Flume Trail
View off of Flume Trail – Image by: Local Freshies

“The Flume” might be the most famous bike trail in Lake Tahoe. With a little bit of pedaling, you’ll be exposed to views and scenery unlike anything else in the world. This one-way fourteen-mile shuttle bike ride is carved into a steep hillside creating spectacular one-of-a kind views of Lake Tahoe. What raises this ride to another bar is the low level of difficulty, allowing more people than just avid mountain bikers to enjoy it. Shuttles and bike rentals are available from Flume Trail bikes.

From first-timers to seasoned mountain bikers, these are just a sampling of the best lift-served / shuttle accessed mountain biking High Sierra has to offer. So, go ahead and plan a getaway to let yourself breathe the fresh air and melt your cares away along one of these epic trails.

Author: Alex Silgalis

Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.





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