12.4 hr
Overview
The start and finish are on Weaver Bally Road at 2,125 ft. a forest service road that is open year round. After only 0.1 miles, the singletrack begins.<br><br>At one mile from the start, is Garden Gulch. Expect some water in June in this rocky creek. There is no bridge, so pick your line across on the round river rock. <br><br>From the start of the race, the course is sun exposed, traversing a burn scar. At mile 1.5, the wildfire hit a prescribed burn and stopped. Now a short climb is set to begin as you enter the 10 Cent Gulch area, and its oak-filled shade.<br><br>10 Cent Gulch climbs up to Howe Ditch, 2.3 miles from the start. No, you are not imagining it. The oaks really are arching over the trail from both sides.<br><br>Now that you are on Howe Ditch, it's easy street. The hydraulic gold miners needed water. To get that water, they built miles of ditches. Howe Ditch is one such ditch line. One of many, moving water to the mines. There is no longer any water in this ditch. Just a gentle climb as you go, what would have been, upstream to Jackass Ridge.<br><br>Once on Jackass Ridge at mile 3.4, it will just be 100 feet on this closed road to the Upper Howe Ditch and back to singletrack. For the next 1.6 miles, watch out for trees and rocks that will want to clip a part of your bike. Notice the transition of oaks to conifers?<br><br>Upper Howe Ditch ends at mile five, dumping the rider onto the East Weaver Creek Trail. East Weaver Creek Trail is one of the longer trails in the Weaver Basin. The course traverses various sections of this trail. This particular section is doubletrack with lots of room for passing.<br><br>It won't last long because mile 5.1 is the start of the Serenity Ditch Spur, a short little downhill to Serenity Ditch, which does contain water for most of the year. If you happen to ride this section in late June or August, budget some time to pick a few blackberries. <br><br>Alas, all good things come to an end and Serenity Ditch ends at Rainbow. Hang a right and head downhill as the short and
Trail Stats
43.3 km
909 m
1126 m
646 m
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Photos
Trail sign at East Weaver Campground
Trail sign at East Weaver Campground
Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast
Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast
Garden Gulch Trail
Garden Gulch Trail
Panoramic picture. The left side is looking north; right side is looking east.
Panoramic picture. The left side is looking north; right side is looking east.
Fall is Coming.
Fall is Coming.