10.9 hr
Overview
You start at the Skunk Hollow Parking area, and almost immediately the climbing begins. Rocky switchback trails climbs for more than 2 miles until you reach the summit. A very short downhill leads to more steep climbing. After more climbing you'll reach a swift downhill with switchbacks. Again, after this short downhill, you'll begin climbing again. <br><br>From here, the trail continues in this manner for 9 miles before reaching a wide open valley and some flat fireroad riding at Cronan Ranch Road (dirt). At the Cronan Ranch Trailhead Sign you head right for more shallow climbing up the fireroad to a quick downhill. Watch for the trail sign on the left as you head down the Up Down Trail leading to the South Fork ART Connector to Magnolia Ranch and begin the climb to the top of this hill. <br><br>Great views of the American River abound to your right until you summit and begin the fast switchback downhill to the creek. Crossing the creek twice you'll come to a split and Gerle Loop Trail. Head left up the fireroad until you reach Magnolia Ranch Parking area. The Gerle Loop Trail continues to the right past the parking area around the hill and rejoins the trail you descended on from the summit of the connector trail. <br><br>Follow the South Fork ART Connector reverse back to the Up Down Trail take a left continue down the trail until you reach the steep climb out. Eventually this trail will connect with the South Fork ART (American River Trail) ignore the first right off this trail as that leads to the East Ridge Trail. Stay on the South Fork ART (American River Trail) all the way back to your start point and the Skunk Hollow parking area.
Trail Stats
37.7 km
874 m
313 m
145 m
—
Photos
Ridgeline
Ridgeline
Fat mountain biking is a blast!
Fat mountain biking is a blast!
Turn Around Point Buildings
Turn Around Point Buildings
View down the valley from yet another kiosk
View down the valley from yet another kiosk
Ridge Summit
Ridge Summit
Summit Pine
Summit Pine
View of the American River and descent start
View of the American River and descent start
Old dwelling.
Old dwelling.
Ridge Section
Ridge Section
Another start to a good ride to connect to sweet water.
Another start to a good ride to connect to sweet water.
View from American River Trail Connector.
View from American River Trail Connector.
Gerle Loop
Gerle Loop
American River View
American River View
spring bloom-age
spring bloom-age
Panoramic view along the American River Trail
Panoramic view along the American River Trail
Valley Switchbacks
Valley Switchbacks
Start of West Ridge
Start of West Ridge
Good fun!
Good fun!
Great views on the American river looking south west during the first few miles of the trail
Great views on the American river looking south west during the first few miles of the trail
Looking down at the river...
Looking down at the river...
Trail begins here right behind the bathrooms in parking lot and then goes up!
Trail begins here right behind the bathrooms in parking lot and then goes up!
South Fork American River and the Sierra in the background.
South Fork American River and the Sierra in the background.
Sticking a deep crossing while loaded!
Sticking a deep crossing while loaded!
An amazing day of riding on some prime singletrack.
An amazing day of riding on some prime singletrack.
Shunk Hollow
Shunk Hollow
Springtime poppies blanket the side of the trail.
Springtime poppies blanket the side of the trail.
Descending South Fork ART.
Descending South Fork ART.
Springtime on South Fork ART.
Springtime on South Fork ART.