4.1 hr
Overview
Start this ride at Pickett's Junction (Where CA 88 & 89 meet in Hope Valley). It's a long steady climb up the unpaved forest road 31019 (open to vehicles seasonally) toward Burnside Lake through a beautiful alpine forest. The loop back to Sorenson's takes a left on road 31053 about 3 miles in (before reaching Burnside). The trail will become less traveled and continue to climb as it contours around Pickett's Peak with glimpses of Hope Valley to the north and west.<br><br>Eventually the loop back to Sorensons (and the downhill) will bear left on 31053B. The trail gets progressively steeper and looser narrowing down to singletrack as it approaches the valley floor. Since it's a loop, you'll get to enjoy the rewards of the over 1,300' of climbing on the way back down.<br><br>The trek will dump you out on CA 88 just west of Sorenson's. It's about a half mile ride on the wide shoulder up the road to get back to the parking area at Pickett's Junction.<br><br>The ride can also be done clockwise but expect a steep loose climb out of the canyon from Sorenson's resort.
Trail Stats
13.5 km
405 m
2485 m
2113 m
—
Photos
The forest road eventually ends in a nice singletrack through the aspen and pine forest.
The forest road eventually ends in a nice singletrack through the aspen and pine forest.
A few tight sections through the overgrown vegetation.
A few tight sections through the overgrown vegetation.
Great late afternoon ride.
Great late afternoon ride.