Bidwell Park Tour

Overview

This ride begins with a rocky, gradual climb up the North Rim Trail. There are some short downhill sections towards the top of North Rim. Turn onto B Trail at the sign and get ready for fast, techy singletrack beginning with small rock gardens along the rim of the canyon and changing to high speed banked turns as you descend into a riparian woodland along Big Chico Creek. Take a left onto the park road and ride to the end, follow a short section of singletrack leading to a wet creek crossing. <br><br>After cooling off from the creek crossing, try your best to make the steep, rocky climb up to Ten Mile House Road. Make a right turn onto Ten Mile House Trail and put on your climbing legs. You'll climb back up to the rim of the south side where Guardians Trail begins. Guardians begins as smooth, flowing singletrack, gradually becoming more rocky and technical as you descend. The trail is built along the bluffs of volcanic cliffs. <br><br>There are several drainages that require judicious negotiation to avoid taking a spill onto unforgiving lava rock. Towards the lower section, Guardians merges into the South Rim Trail. The trail ends on Centennial Avenue, veer to the right onto the road and pedal approximately a quarter mile back to Five Mile recreation area.

Trail Stats

Photos

View of the Gorge from Guardians Trail

View of the Gorge from Guardians Trail

5 mile recreation area. Now head downtown and get a refreshing beverage of choice, you've earned it.

5 mile recreation area. Now head downtown and get a refreshing beverage of choice, you've earned it.

Singletrack on Guardians Trail

Singletrack on Guardians Trail

intersection of B Trail and park road

intersection of B Trail and park road

Big Chico Creek at 5 mile recreation area

Big Chico Creek at 5 mile recreation area

North Rim Trail looking toward B-Trail Intersection

North Rim Trail looking toward B-Trail Intersection

looking across the canyon to the bottom of Bloody Pin Trail

looking across the canyon to the bottom of Bloody Pin Trail

Big Chico Creek

Big Chico Creek

looking east from the North Rim parking lot

looking east from the North Rim parking lot

View of the Valley and the Gorge

View of the Valley and the Gorge

rocks, rocks and more rocks

rocks, rocks and more rocks

Guardian Trail Drop off (One of Many)

Guardian Trail Drop off (One of Many)

Trail divide leading to Bloody Pin Trail (Advanced)

Trail divide leading to Bloody Pin Trail (Advanced)

More of singletrack on Guardians Trail

More of singletrack on Guardians Trail

Guardians Trail, where the real fun begins

Guardians Trail, where the real fun begins

Start of B trail. Fast, techy singletrack coming up.

Start of B trail. Fast, techy singletrack coming up.

The infamous "toilet bowl" section. Should you attempt to clean it, be sure you don't get flushed.

The infamous "toilet bowl" section. Should you attempt to clean it, be sure you don't get flushed.

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