The Plumas National Forest is one of the most recreation friendly national forests in the system. In fact, the Plumas ranger districts are each oriented around a"center of interest" in the form of a lake or a river. The moderately difficult Feather River Ride would be our first choice of trails, followed closely by the easier Summit-Bucks Creek Loop Trail.
Antelope Lake Loop
Distance: 11 Miles
Type: Paved
Elevation: 5000 feet
Average Riding Time: 1.5 hours
Topographic Map: Antelope Lake
Difficulty: Beginner
Getting There: Hwy. 70 from Oroville to Greenville. From Greenville go 5 miles south on Hwy. 89, turn east on County Road 207 and go 5 miles to Taylorsville. Take the Genessee Antelope Lake Road east for 24 miles. OR from Janesville take County Road 208 for 4 miles, Forest Service Road 28NOI for 9 miles, turn right onto 28NO3 for 2 miles. Parking is available at numerous pullouts along the road.
About the ride: This is an 11-mile paved loop around Antelope Lake. Points of interest include the Pioneer Cabin and Grave, picnic areas, lake view vistas, bird and wildlife viewing. Vehicle traffic may be heavy on holiday weekends.
Notes: Facilities - Antelope Lake has three campgrounds and a small store at Boulder Creek Campground. Taylorsville has a grocery store. Greenville is a full service town with several hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations. There is a campground 1 mile north of Greenville.
Crystal Peak Route
Distance: 10.5 miles (one way)
Elevation: 5075 - 7780 feet
Type: Graded Dirt Road - 7.5 miles; Ungraded Dirt Route - 3.0 miles
Average Riding Time: 2 hours
Topographic Maps: Frenchman Lake and Constantia
Difficulty: Moderate
Getting There: From Oroville take Hwy. 70 at Chilcoot go north on Hwy. 284 (FS 176) approximately 5 miles. Beyond Chilcoot Campground is a one lane bridge. The Choke Cherry day use area is on the right. Parking is available at the day use area.
About the ride: Begin at 24N44 junction with Hwy. 284, proceed northeast on 24N44 to 24N12X (not marked on map) then north on 24N I 2X to Crystal Peak. Crystal Peak affords excellent views and passes through an area with old mine workings and abandoned cabins. For an alternative return route, take 24NO2 off 24N I 2X at mile post 9.8 and go 7 miles to Frenchman Reservoir. This dirt graded road is rated more difficult.
Notes: Facilities - Chilcoot offers lodging, restaurants and gasoline. Chilcoot Campground is 1 mile south of route starting point. Four campgrounds are located at Frenchman Lake.
Dixie Mountain Route
Distance 15.6 mile
Elevation: 5630 - 7840 feet
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Average Riding Time: 2 hours
Topographic Maps: Dixie Mtn. & Frenchman Lake
Getting There: From Highway 70 at Chilcoot go north on Highway 284 for 8 miles to Frenchman Dam. Proceed straight on 25N11 for 6 miles to the junction with 24N02Y. Signs say Dixie Mountain Lookout.
About the Ride: Begin at 24N02Y junction with 25N11, proceed west on 24N02Y to mile post 6.5 at Dixie Trail, then northeast on Trail to end, proceed northeast on 25N03 to 25N11. Take 25N11 two miles back to starting point. On 25N11 vehicle traffic may be heavy, use caution. A side trip to the end of 24N02Y (0.3 miles) provides a spectacular view from Dixie Mountain Lookout, elevation 8323.
Route Surface:
Gravel or Rocked: 2.0 miles
Graded Dirt Road: 6.5 miles
Ungraded Dirt Road: 6.0 miles
Single Track/Trail: 1.1 miles
Notes: Facilities - Chilcoot offers lodging, restaurants and gasoline. Campgrounds - Cottonwood Springs 4 miles south of starting point. Four campgrounds located around Frenchman Lake.
Feather River Ride
Distance: 26 Mi
Type: Gravel & unimproved dirt, some 4WD
Difficulty: Moderate
Getting There: From Oroville take Hwy. 70 North to Big Bend Road. Turn right and then immediately turn left and follow to Poe PH., turn left. Park at the bridge at the bottom of the canyon.
About the ride: This ride starts at the bridge at the bottom of the canyon. Follow the road to the left at the fork. Follow the railroad tracks to a concrete trestle and stay left on a flat overgrown road with lots of gravel. Beautiful views of the Feather River through chaparral and coniferous forest.
Homer Lake Ride
Distance 12 - 14 miles (one way)
Elevation: 3720 - 6320 feet
Difficulty: More Difficult
Average Riding Time: 3.5 hours
Topographic Map: Greenville NW
Getting There: Take Highway 89 two miles north of Greenville to County Road 201 (sign to Hauns Meadow on right side of highway). Parking is available at the junction of the highway and county road.
About the Ride: Two miles up the County Road turn right on Forest Service Road 28N38 for 5 miles to the Greenville Saddle. At the saddle make a left on Road 28N68 for about 3 miles and then left on the road to Homer Lake for 2 miles. Another 2 miles of trail will take you to Deerheart Lake. This route is not a loop.
Route Surface:
Gravel or Rocked: 2.0 miles
Graded Dirt: 5.0 miles
Ungraded Dirt: 5.0 miles
Single Track/Trail: 2.0 miles
Notes: Facilities - Greenville is a full service town with several hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations. There is a campground 1 mile north of town.
Howland Flat Loop
Distance: 22 Miles
Elevation: 5000 - 5980 feet
Type: Gravel and paved
Average Riding Time: 5 hours
Topographic Maps: La Porte and Onion Valley
Difficulty: Advanced
Getting There: From Oroville, Hwy. 162 E to Hwy. 174 (Forbestown Rd.) to 120 into La Porte. Through La Porte 1/8 mile to staging area.
About the ride: From staging area, take County Road 511 toward Quincy 5 miles. Turn right towards Baptist Camp on County Road 900, go 2 miles, past Lake Delahunty. Turn right on County Road 800, go 3 miles crossing Slate Creek and Sawmill Ridge. At Potosi Creek turn right on to County Road 690. Go through Howland Flat. Stay on Rd. 690 a total of approximately 11 miles to Queen City. Then turn right onto County Road 791 into LaPorte. At stop sign turn right, go through town and return to staging area. This route includes Lake Delahunty, Howland Flat and Queen City, all historic mining areas with some interesting cemeteries. A worthwhile side trip is the 2-mile Table Rock Trail, off 21 N08 and then 21 N41.
Notes: Facilities - La Porte offers lodging, restaurants, groceries and gasoline. Campgrounds - 6 at Little Grass Valley Reservoir, 3 miles north of La Porte.
Lake Davis Loop
Elevation: 5800 feet
Distance: 18.4 Miles
Type: Paved - 6.1 miles; Gravel or Rocked - 12.3 miles
Average Riding Time: 2 hours
Topographic Maps: Grizzly Valley and Crocker Mtn.
Difficulty: Beginner
Getting There: From Oroville take Hwy. 70 to Portola or 1-80 to Truckee then Hwy. 89 to Hwy. 70 and Portola From Hwy. 70 near Portola take Lake Davis West Street (County Road 126) approximately 7 miles to Lake Davis Dam. Park at the information kiosk.
About the ride: A flat, easy loop around Lake Davis. From dam, travel 1.7 miles west to Forest Service Road 24N 10. Travel on 24N 10 for about 8.1 miles until you reach the junction with County Road 112, turn cast and continue around lake. Past the Grizzly Campground .5 miles, turn south on County Road 126 back to the dam. Points of interest include Jenkins Sheep Camp, picnic areas, lakeview vistas, bird and wildlife viewing. Vehicle traffic may be heavy on weekends.
Notes: Facilities - Portola is a full service town with hotels, restaurants and gas stations. Camping includes 3 campgrounds around Lake Davis.
Mills Peak Lookout Ride
Mileage 6 miles (one way)
Elevation: 6500 - 7340 feet
Difficulty: More Difficult
Average Riding Time: 1.5 hours
Topographic Maps: Gold Lake and Clio
Getting There: From Highway 89 near Graeagle take the Gold Lake Highway (County Road 519) to the junction with Mills Peak Road (County Roads 721/822) or From Highway 40 take the Gold Lake Highway and travel approximately 8 miles north to Mills Peak Road junction. Park across from this intersection at turnout.
About the Ride: Travel 1.5 miles on County Road 721, turn north on County Road 822 for 4.5 miles to Mills Peak Lookout. Mills Peak Lookout offers vistas of Eastern Plumas County. Forest Service lookout personnel may be on duty during summer months. There is an easy 0.4 mile Red Fir Nature Trail with interpretive signing off Road 822.
Route Surface
Gravel or Rocked: 1.5 miles
Graded Dirt: 4.5 miles
Notes: Facilities - Grey Eagle Lodge, Elwell Lodge and Gold Lake Lodge are situated along Gold Lake Highway. Camping - several Forest Service campgrounds along Gold Lake Highway. Services available in Graeagle and Bassett Station.
St. Louis Loop
Mileage 12 miles
Elevation: 5000 - 5560 feet
Difficulty: More Difficult
Average Riding Time: 3 hours
Topographic Maps: La Porte
Getting There: Through La Porte 1/8 mile to staging area.
About the Ride: From staging area take County Road 511 towards Quincy 2 miles. Continue straight onto 22N53 (towards Bellevue Mine). Go 1 mile and turn right on 21N08Y. Continue 3/4 mile to Slate Creek (carry bike across creek). Take single track for 1 mile, then continue on road for 1/4 mile to County Road 690. Turn right and go 2 miles, staying to right onto County Road 890, which will turn into County Road 512. Turn left onto County Road 511 and follow back to staging area. Points of interest include Bellevue Mine historic site and St. Louis townsite, placer diggings and historic Slate Creek bridge.
Route Surface:
Paved or Chipseal: 2.0 miles
Gravel or Rocked: 9.0 miles
Single Track/Trail: 1.0 miles
Notes: Facilities - La Porte offers lodging, restaurants, groceries and gasoline. Campgrounds - Six at Little Grass Valley Reservoir, 3 miles north of La Porte.
Summit-Bucks Creek Loop Trail
Distance: 9 Miles
Elevation: 5200 - 5520 feet
Type: Single-track
Average Riding Time: 1 hour
Topographic Maps: Bucks Lake NE and NW
Difficulty: Beginner
Getting There: From Oroville take Oro Dam Blvd. Turn right at Olive Hwy. which becomes the Oro-Quincy Road (Hwy. 162). Continue 35 miles northeast to Bucks Lake Road, trailhead located east of Lake Oroville 14 miles west of Quincy off Quincy Bucks Lake Road. Parking at either Bucks Summit parking area or Bucks Creek trailhead.
About the ride: Summit trailhead starts at Bucks Summit and continues 2 miles through meadows and forested area. When the trail reaches the pavement turn right and take the Bucks Creek trail 1.8 miles back to Bucks Lake Road and continue 1/4 mile to Bucks Summit. This trail goes through the Whitehorse Campground and offers beautiful views of Bucks Lake Wilderness.
Notes: Facilities - Bucks Lake Lodge, Lakeshore Resort with a small store at each. Camping - Five campgrounds around Bucks Lake.
Move on to Trail Finder: Plumas National Forest
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