The new Beckwourth Peak Trail offers Portola's 2,000 residents—and visiting mountain bikers—a proper 14-mile lollipop loop that launches directly from downtown's City Park. This bike-friendly ascent climbs from 4,885 feet to 6,425 feet for a net elevation gain of 1,540 feet, maintaining a consistent grade that targets not more than 10% with a maximum of 15% for short pitches. The trail earns a solid blue (intermediate) difficulty rating throughout the entire ride.
Riders will find sections of smooth singletrack mixed with "some rock, some techy stuff, but not crazy." While there's a fair bit of chunk, there aren't any major drops on the route. The middle section features a really cool tunnel—sort of like a natural arch—that creates a very cool visual element as the trail passes directly through it. Since Beckwourth Peak is a volcanic formation that towers above the town of Portola, riders will enjoy spectacular views of the valley below and the rugged Sierras in the distance from the upper reaches.
Currently rideable as an out-and-back while the final mile awaits construction, this freshly cut gem will truly come into its own once riders can circumnavigate the peak in its entirety. Unlike much of the area's recent trail development, Beckwourth Peak is a non-motorized multi-use trail, meaning e-bikes are not allowed. The connection to downtown creates a hub of recreation in Portola, linking seamlessly with the existing pump track in the park.
-Greg Heil
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