29.5 miles
Distance
3,126 ft
Climb
-3,094 ft
Descent
1,010 ft
High Point
Starts at Big River parking lot and makes a big loop with about half single track and half dirt road with a short section of paved road.
Detailed Description
Big River Big Loop is a 30 mile popular intermediate route located near Mendocino California. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 45 trails. This route climbs 3,126 ft with a max elevation of 1,010 ft then descends -3,094 ft.
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Trail Products
61 Reviews & Comments
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+ 1

Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Took my 8-year old on his first "real" mountain bike ride here. This is a great place for an intro to riding singletrack - a few roots to maneuver, but mostly smooth redwood dirt and and nothing too steep.
[Reply]

Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Took my 8-year old on his first "real" mountain bike ride here. This is a great place for an intro to riding singletrack - a few roots to maneuver, but mostly smooth redwood dirt and and nothing too steep.
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:53)

Trail Lindquist Loops
Trail is open. Major pain going up, pushing half the way. Good to go down of course. Wouldn’t say its better or worse to lose elevation on than ez out, just different. End up on road 410, anywhere you go from there is up.
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:27)

Trail Big River Haul Road
I can only speak for the western half of the trail where it meets up to a bunch of other trails in the middle. It’s a scenic fairly flat ride, good views of the river, easy to carry speed either direction. Kind of a road, kind of single track in spots. Would be a good beginner, xc, or gravel ride. Your wife or child could enjoy this, just pick a distance you want to go
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:23)

Trail Ames Lodge
Decent spot to ride up from big river rd to get to mo betta trails to go down. It’s a climb. Can only be so much fun. There’s better trails to drop elevation on I’d say
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:20)

Trail Pole Line
Flatter and less densely wooded than the rest of the forest. The single track splits a few times in different directions, I guess some is private property
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Oct 3, 2021 at 21:20)

Trail Pole Line
Flatter and less densely wooded than the rest of the forest. The single track splits a few times in different directions, I guess some is private property
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:09)

Trail Gunslinger
Good to connect with the ride thru stump in either direction. Nothing too techy, just a fun ride. Not too fast, not too slow. Just about right. Be sure to say hi to the invisible man cooking bacon on his bbq
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:09)

Trail Gunslinger
Good to connect with the ride thru stump in either direction. Nothing too techy, just a fun ride. Not too fast, not too slow. Just about right. Be sure to say hi to the invisible man cooking bacon on his bbq
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:07)

Trail Ride Thru Stump
Can go either direction, kinda steep going up but you can do it, I believe in you. More fun coming down of course. And there’s a stump you can ride through and get cool pictures!
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:02)

Trail Parallel Action
Easy both ways. Works as a good connector to the other stuff. Easy to carry speed
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:02)

Trail Parallel Action
Easy both ways. Works as a good connector to the other stuff. Easy to carry speed
[Reply]
Chasebeck734
(Sep 25, 2021 at 22:02)

Trail Parallel Action
Easy both ways. Works as a good connector to the other stuff. Easy to carry speed
[Reply]
marlinmajnoon
(Aug 15, 2021 at 22:44)

Trail Parallel Action
This is an easy trail that parallels the dirt access road. It is single track and gets a lot of use in both directions. It is not clear why it is rated blue. It should be green. In any case, beats riding on the dirt road.
[Reply]
marlinmajnoon
(Aug 15, 2021 at 22:44)

Trail Parallel Action
This is an easy trail that parallels the dirt access road. It is single track and gets a lot of use in both directions. It is not clear why it is rated blue. It should be green. In any case, beats riding on the dirt road.
[Reply]
marlinmajnoon
(Aug 15, 2021 at 22:44)

Trail Parallel Action
This is an easy trail that parallels the dirt access road. It is single track and gets a lot of use in both directions. It is not clear why it is rated blue. It should be green. In any case, beats riding on the dirt road.
[Reply]
Weenlien
(Jul 23, 2021 at 6:52)

Trail Pole Line
Fast straightaway through pockets of chaparral
[Reply]
Weenlien
(Jul 23, 2021 at 6:52)

Trail Pole Line
Fast straightaway through pockets of chaparral
[Reply]
Weenlien
(Jul 23, 2021 at 6:46)

Trail Orchard
Trail isn’t much used. Lots of vegetation through the meadow. Parts of it are pretty rutted out. Stepped over creek which was still running but low.
[Reply]
Weenlien
(Jul 23, 2021 at 6:46)

Trail Orchard
Trail isn’t much used. Lots of vegetation through the meadow. Parts of it are pretty rutted out. Stepped over creek which was still running but low.
[Reply]
tomjoad773
(May 24, 2021 at 17:47)
Very solid route. Not too terrible elevation. Most of the singletrack parallels forest service roads so if you want to save some gas for later you can bail on a section and still stay on route.
The section EZ Out is the most technical singletrack on the route.
Not many views except near the top of Observatory Hill
[Reply]
The section EZ Out is the most technical singletrack on the route.
Not many views except near the top of Observatory Hill


Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Great little trail right out of the gate. Great little pump features, rooty sections, and some fun little punchy steep sections through the trees.
[Reply]


Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Great little trail right out of the gate. Great little pump features, rooty sections, and some fun little punchy steep sections through the trees.
[Reply]
TallSkinnyGuy
(Aug 17, 2019 at 22:23)

Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Very nice ride in either direction, although a little more fun towards parking area since that direction has more downhill sections. Lush ferns and other foliage line trail and redwoods surround trail. Some sections have a bunch of roots adding a technical challenge but overall a fairly easy trail that can be ridden faster than many other trails in this forest that have much tighter trees.
[Reply]
TallSkinnyGuy
(Aug 17, 2019 at 22:23)

Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Very nice ride in either direction, although a little more fun towards parking area since that direction has more downhill sections. Lush ferns and other foliage line trail and redwoods surround trail. Some sections have a bunch of roots adding a technical challenge but overall a fairly easy trail that can be ridden faster than many other trails in this forest that have much tighter trees.
[Reply]
TallSkinnyGuy
(Aug 17, 2019 at 22:08)

Trail Gunslinger
Very tight trees require good slow speed bike handling.
[Reply]
TallSkinnyGuy
(Aug 17, 2019 at 22:08)

Trail Gunslinger
Very tight trees require good slow speed bike handling.
[Reply]

Trail Ride Thru Stump
there is a hard right turn that’s easy to miss, if you come out on an old dirt road, you missed it. the exit has some boulders and comes out on a well used gravel road.
[Reply]
Kkindred
(Oct 2, 2018 at 21:36)
Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Easy warm up through a beautiful enchanted Forrest.
[Reply]
Kkindred
(Oct 2, 2018 at 21:36)
Trail Parallel Rd 500 Trail
Easy warm up through a beautiful enchanted Forrest.
[Reply]
taospinner
(Sep 23, 2018 at 22:15)
Trail Lindquist Loops
Looks like the Forest is closing this trail for logging. Not sure if it's permanent.
[Reply]
vicalcazar
(Jul 26, 2018 at 12:08)

Trail Parallel Action
Trail closed for logging July 25, 2018.
[Reply]
vicalcazar
(Jul 26, 2018 at 12:08)

Trail Parallel Action
Trail closed for logging July 25, 2018.
[Reply]
vicalcazar
(Jul 26, 2018 at 12:08)

Trail Parallel Action
Trail closed for logging July 25, 2018.
[Reply]
Trails in Route
3 miles | |||||
2,562 ft | |||||
285 ft | |||||
876 ft | |||||
1,621 ft | |||||
367 ft | |||||
1,007 ft | |||||
348 ft | |||||
1,001 ft | |||||
2,320 ft | |||||
367 ft | |||||
1 mile | |||||
174 ft | |||||
2 miles | |||||
1,542 ft | |||||
3,104 ft | |||||
33 ft | |||||
2,684 ft | |||||
49 ft | |||||
2 miles | |||||
1 mile | |||||
279 ft | |||||
705 ft | |||||
876 ft |
Details
More Stats for Big River Big Loop mountain bike route
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Altitude min23 ft
-
Altitude start25 ft
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Altitude end56 ft
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Grade max-57.4%
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Grade min61.3%
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Distance climb13 miles
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Distance down12 miles
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Distance flat5 miles
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3D
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
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Photos
Videos

Wet Fun in Jackson Demonstration Forest
trail: Parallel Rd 500 Trail
14:41 | 65 | comments: 0 | favs:
May 13, 2022

Wet Fun in Jackson Demonstration Forest
trail: Jackaroo
14:41 | 52 | comments: 0 | favs:
May 13, 2022
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