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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	20 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 12/30/09 by tigerchow1 Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 10 miles	Global Rank: 348
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 106	Wishlist: 39
Avg. Speed: 4.47 mph	Avg. Time: 2hr 43min

 

Los Posadas in Angwin

 

Pioneer Trail in Nevada City

 

Downieville Downhill in Downieville

 

1st 2nd 3rd Divide in Downieville

 

  
reviewed by Keithhn on March 15, 2010

Sunrise changed it's name to Fairfax Cyclery. Awesome scenery fun trail. The most technical thing about this trail is that the switchbacks are a little tight, but rideable even on my 29er.

  
reviewed by Jessemc537 on February 1, 2010



* Review edited 2/22/2010

Similar Trail: China Camp - 7-11, Hitlers run, Annadel - Lawndale, S. Burma

  
reviewed by Jessemc537 on December 21, 2009

This IS one of the best single tracks in Marin. It is a shorter loop for more advanced cross country riders but there are options out. I found a great loop that includes 90% of the Tmarancho loop and drops out to another great ride up through Loma Alta. The total milage is just about right for a good day ride. 23 miles in all. Tamarancho is a great warm up but if you stayed I would do a couple laps. You can hit it once and drop back into town for a beer and a brat and then charge Whites hill. Great Veiws all around and the terrain changes the whole way through.

* Review edited 2/4/2010

Similar Trail: China Camp - Tenderfoot - Certain parts of Annadel.

  
reviewed by Suvacrew on December 20, 2009

Ever seen a trail network that reads "Mountain bikes on single track only"?!?! This is the place. Park at Java hut, walk 100 yrd down the street to Sunshine Bicycles to get your day pass. They have a computer terminal at the end of the counter to enter your name and whomever is riding with you, hit print, pay $5 a head, grab your pass, stick it on your brake cable..and head out for some technical single track fun...legally in Marin. We did it on a rainy day...roots were slippery, but the sandy soil drains pretty darn good. The wood bridges are like ice skating rinks when wet, so given the option, take the narrower split tree ones with cross hashed traction grooves. You have to pay attention, or else you'll kiss a tree. It's almost like riding in a video game when you come down the backside into the switchbacks and trees towards Alchemist. Hit my pedals no less than 10 times on various obstacles. Great place to practice your switchbacks UP and Down and a couple of rock gardens to make sure you're paying attention. If you're in the area....you've got to do it. Well maintained by the Boy Scouts. Pass is so worth it.

* Review edited 12/20/2009

Similar Trail: China Camp or Mt Tam/Re-Pack

  
reviewed by br8kmywindo on September 7, 2009

My favorite trail in the bay area. Keeps you in shape on the climbs and on your toes downhill thru the switchbacks.

  
reviewed by dbellinger on June 29, 2009

I rode this on June 17, 2009. I paid for my ticket online and parked at the Java Hut parking lot like they suggested. Definitely arrive early (7:30 was early enough) and avoid the crowds. The trail was a mob scene by the time we were coming off the trail at 10:30. If you are there on the weekend, best to ride the loop clockwise to avoid traffic on the trail. Regarding the ride, the climbs were gradual and on the easy side. Lots of roots and rocks to wear you out by the end. I agree that the switchbacks were by far the most difficult part of the ride. Some things that were missing at Tamarancho - high speed descents and steep technical ascents and descents. I would consider it difficult for beginners and challenging but not hard for intermediate level riders. Eight miles of continuous singletrack exclusively for mountain biking is hard to find. A must ride.

Similar Trail: China Camp

  
reviewed by SkidMD on May 27, 2009

Yes, it's worth the $5. Where else are you going to get sweet riding on singletrack trails that are in good conidtion? Ok, maybe you can think of a few, but I would think it's worth the price for some hassle-free riding.
Technical - a bit. Switchbacks - tough. Roots - a bunch. Climbs - you bet!
Carry enough water and bring spare tire gear because you are out there.

  
reviewed by SkidMD on May 27, 2009

Look, where else can you get maintained single-track, minutes from downtown coffee in Fairfax and miles of peace and quiet without those unfortunately pesky rangers that are to (sadly) rarely interested in pleasant and helpful interactions with mountain riders?

Similar Trail: China Camp

  
reviewed by jbronko1 on January 30, 2009

I rode this trail in the summer and have to add one thing to the 'technical / not-technical' debate. The main climb is on a road if you go that way, so that's not bad. There are some other short, somewhat steep climbs, not bad. There are few roots/obstacles. But what I DID find tricky were the switchbacks. There had to be at least 10 pretty tricky switchbacks before which you could really pick up some speed, making it necessary (for me) to be pretty careful. A lot of them, if you missed it, you were going to tumble 20 feet or more down a hill in the forest. It's been several months, but that's what I recall. I may ride it again in Feb or March if I get out to NoCal again.

  
reviewed by CF3 on January 30, 2009

my first ride in california,and i've got to say....super fun! Coming from the east coast this is not at all technical to me, but that's OK. 99% singletrack, awesome views...well worth the the price of admission

  
reviewed by thedaver16 on January 14, 2009

rode it yesterday trails in great shape and a ton of fun, not too terribly technical but just enough to keep it fun and make you pay attention. will go back for sure and even if I only rode it a few times a year would be more than greatfull to pay the $50 for annual pass simply in support of the boy scouts and the fact of keeping the trails in great shape and open

  
reviewed by dplusdude on April 30, 2007

Sick trail. The clockwise ending descent is the s***. Fun, fun single track through forest. Definitely worth the pass.... http://www.dimensionplusmedia.com

* Review edited 4/30/2007

  
reviewed by bensf on July 8, 2006

Great ride! If you park in Fairfax there are several nice little coffee shops that you can go to. :)

  
reviewed by xtrsmith on April 10, 2006

Nice ride.

  
reviewed by seanomalone on August 21, 2005

My favorit part about this trail is the diverse terrain. One minute you're in Sierra Foothills-like grassy rolling hills with rock outcroppings (and the ocassional rattle snake). Next munute you're in classic coastal pines with mossy trunks and smooth pine needle paths. NOTE: This is not a beginner's ride. It's not real technical either (aside from a couple short spots). Not sure why someone would think that, but it's just not. Agree with others - please park in the town of Fairfax. And be sure to get your day pass at Sunrise Bikes on Broadway in town first.

  
reviewed by Juan_Gear on June 12, 2005

We raced ther one year and had fun. If we were local it would be worth $50 a year. Scouts keep it nice. Too short need to do laps

  
reviewed by Pedro_Carvalho on December 23, 2004

Very, very cool singletracks. The loop is a lot of fun and you can ride from Fairfax up the hill to warm-up. There are tons of options if you actually don't stick to the main loop. Get a map from a bike store and explore.

  
reviewed by Pedro_Carvalho on December 20, 2004

Nice singletrack. Not technical at all. Good for beginners. Easy acess from San Francisco.

  
reviewed by Pedro_Carvalho on December 20, 2004

Nice singletrack. Not technical at all. Good for beginners. Easy acess from San Francisco.

  
reviewed by trek7k on March 7, 2004

We were told this was some of the best/most technical (legal) singletrack in Marin (funny how everyone makes the distinction in Marin between legal and illegal trails). After we drove around a while trying to find Iron Springs Road, we parked our car in the neighborhood, grabbed some cash to pay the daily use fee, and started up the road. The climb wasn't too bad and in no time we were at the start of the singletrack and found the information signs. It turns out you have to buy your daily or annual pass ahead of time at either the Sunshine Bike Shop in Fairfax or online at this site. Anyway, we didn't get to try the singletrack (even though we were prepared to pay the fee, we didn't want to piss anyone off). Hopefully this review will leave others better prepared.

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