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Emigrant Trail Mountain Bike Trail

Truckee, California

MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating: 12 trail reviews
Status: Wet / Sketchy
updated 11/15/10 by tarvisg
Difficulty: Intermediate bike trail Intermediate
Length: 20 miles Global Rank: #794
Tread: Singletrack Configuration: Out & Back
Ridden: 80 Wishlist: 35
Avg. Speed: 8.17 mphAvg. Time: 2hr 49min
Elevation Gain/Loss:
+1,727/-2,262 ft
 
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Description: With its mellow rolling singletrack, the out-and-back ride on the Emigrant Trail is a good choice for novice and intermediate riders. Emigrant is also one of the first trails to shed the winter snow, so it also makes a good early season warm-up.The singletrack starts off paralleling the north side of Prosser Creek, but soon turns uphill to the left to cross a dirt road. Follow the singletrack all the way to Stampede Reservoir. Along the way you will cross a number of dirt roads, but the main crossings are marked and the way across the minor ones are pretty obvious. This is an out-and-back ride, all singletrack, mostly rolling hills, and not very technical.
added on April 29, 2005 by dppaladino
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SIMILAR TRAILS

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Downieville Downhill in Downieville
 
 
Los Posadas in Angwin
 
 
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Northstar Resort in Truckee
 

TRAIL REVIEWS   review this trail


  
reviewed by bakerdoug20 on September 18, 2011

Rode this trail yesterday. Started from the Prosser Creek Bridge. The trail was well marked and well maintained. Some good flowy sections of singletrack. Not super challenging, minimal climbing, but some good fast power sections.


  
reviewed by lucky34 on June 4, 2010

Most people start on 89 but if you start at the trail head off of Alder (the offical start of emigrant trail) you can add an extra rolling 7 miles. This a great section the runs along creek.

Similar Trail: Incline Flume off of mount rose hwy


  
reviewed by tarvisg on April 25, 2010

Good first Tahoe trail ride of the year. Typically melts off quicker than all the others. A couple rocky sections, not much. Some mellow climbing and a few downed trees. Someone stacked logs to make the downed trees ridable. Fun to power through after work.


  
reviewed by markridesjudy on October 24, 2009

I have a deep affection for the Emigrant Trail because it was here I developed a love for mountain biking (and later road biking as well). What can I say, this is a good and moderately challenging trail. Great uphill and downhill areas as well as open valley areas for blazing trails. Absolutely, stunning scenery and geography as well.

Similar Trail: Peavine trail in Reno, NV but keep in mind it's a usually really dry and there's not a lot of trees but a lot of sagebrush. It's also a bit more challenging because of all the uphill.


  
reviewed by dbalunis on August 13, 2008

This is a great trail for a family single-track introduction. We rode the trail while camping at Stampede Reservoir – a first time single-track experience for some of the family members - everyone enjoyed it. Nothing too technical, but sufficiently interesting to keep the more experienced family members entertained. I highly recommended to anyone in a like situation, or anyone looking for a scenic low-key but fun ride. BTW, coming from the Stampede Reservoir side, the trailhead is on the right immediately past to the turnoff to the boat ramp.


  
reviewed by spackler on October 20, 2007

Very fun ride. Terrain is rolling so you never climb for more than 1/4 to a 1/2 mile at a time, but on the down side you only get 1/4 to 1/2 mile downhills. As of today (10-20-07) the trail is great shape with just the right amount of moisture to increase traction. This should take a bit over 2 hrs. round trip to Stampede Lake and back from the turn-out by Prosser Creek. Earlier the better as the dog walkers come out around lunch time it seems. It is very easy to follow. Just stay on the well travelled singletrack with the no dirt bike signs every few hundred yards and you can't miss it. During weekends and peak tourist season it can get busy, but most of those types turn around within the first mile or so, leaving only fairly experienced riders going the full distance. Just a friendly reminder if you do not ride in higher elevations often.... you have to ride back on what you just rode out on, and this trail has longer downhill sections on the way out.

Similar Trail: Sawtooth in Truckee


  
reviewed by Juan_Gear on August 18, 2007

It was time to start my end of summer treks to the Sierra, which usually starts with a few trips to Lake Alpine. Decided to try this instead and was not disappointed; it was a great training ride at just under 24 miles. Just under 2.5 hours with the single speed, trail is not well marked, so keep to the single track and tire tracks and you should be fine. I love riding at the edge of tree line and will be back

* Review edited 8/18/2007


  
reviewed by Valerie on August 5, 2007

Great fun - but very crowded


  
reviewed by zhongchien on June 29, 2007

Fairly standard trail, good as training, not much fun, as there are no fast downhill sections, berms, drops, jumps, or actually anything technical.


  
reviewed by Doug_Houston on November 26, 2006

Great trail for beginners and might be ideal for a family outing. Smooth single track with modest elevation changes and very few technical sections. Lots of fun and one of the most perfect single-spped treks around.


  
reviewed by southtahoeman on May 6, 2006

as of 5-3-06, the trail is dried out for the most part, a few creek crossings. lots of up and down. 3-4 hour ride

Similar Trail: scotts lake in south lake tahoe


  
reviewed by xtrsmith on April 10, 2006

I lost my front teeth on this trail and had to drive back to LA that way, but this is a dope ride. Nice and fast. Go singlespeed if you're a monster.

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