Emigrant Trail

January 3, 2012 in California, Emigrant Trail, Trail Reviews, Truckee

To find the trail entrance to Emigrant. You will want to take 89 north. Be careful there is an 89 south and it is a few miles west of the highway you want. You will travel up highway 89 about 4 miles. Just past a bridge on your right hand side will be a gravel parking area. There is a well marked sign labeled “Emigrant”. If you see Hobart Mills Road you have gone to far.

  • Highest Elevation: 6161 ft
  • Lowest Elevation: 5766 ft
  • Trail length: 20 miles (roughly 10 miles one way)
  • Time: 2 hrs 30 minutes (average rider)
  • Rating: 7 out of 10

I am pleasantly surprised by this nice little out and back on Emigrant Trail. It is another little adventure that is great for beginners and those just wanting to get in a casual ride. Small climbs and drops along various parts of this  dense forestry path kept me smiling and having a good time. You can expect small technical challenges along your little bike journey. Not to worry though! Nothing exceeds the intermediate level. Advanced riders can have some fun with this as well. I pedaled hard and fast the hole time and it almost felt as if I was on a speeder bike from the “Return of the Jedi”. I will for sure do this ride again in the future.