Set up basecamp at Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe this autumn and discover some of California’s best mountain bike trails.
Here’s where to mountain bike in Truckee this October.
October in Lake Tahoe and Truckee is spectacular. The summer crowds have thinned, the weather hovers in the 60s and 70s, getting around town is easier, the beaches are wide open and the trails are ready for another month of hiking and biking.
Enjoy cooler lakeside and mountaintop temps and hit the dirt in October. Here, Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe Operations Director Stefan Moore shares his favorite local trails:
Northstar California Resort Bike Park
Savor the final month of lift-serviced mountain biking at Northstar. Cherry pick from more than 50 trails ranging from beginner to advanced. Yee-haw your way down freestyle-designed jumps, large banked turns, manmade features and wooden structures. Iconic trails include Gypsy, Coaster and Tryumph. Lap the Big Springs Gondola to warm up, then head to Vista Express or Zephyr Express for more challenging and exciting terrain.
This 14-mile singletrack trail on the east shore of Lake Tahoe treats bikers to amazing and consistent views of Lake Tahoe. Traverse the high sierra and challenge yourself with a steep climb and rock gardens in between aspen groves, manzanita forest and exposed ridgelines. The trail can be completed in entirety or in sections by looping with the Tahoe Rim Trail. Just remember: The views are worth the work!
This trail is great for those wanting a pure downhill experience. Set up a shuttle from the Diamond Peak Ski area parking lot—where the trail ends—and access this stretch of technical singletrack off the Tahoe Rim Trail from Mt. Rose Meadows. The fast and fun downhill is 3.7 point-to-point miles of small jumps, large rock gardens, banked turns, and thrilling bumps and bends.
Roll through sierra forests high above the Truckee River near Squaw Valley on this beginner/intermediate trail. Relish outstanding vistas, moderate climbs and a playful rhythm. The 9-mile loop serves up Truckee River Canyon views and a few amicable technical features. The trailhead is near Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe and can be accessed on a short ride from the hotel.
A local fave, this moderate singletrack mountain bike trail is fast and flowy with a trailhead just a quarter mile south of Truckee on Hwy 89. Catch the new two-mile A1 trail at the top of Jackass and cruise downhill across berms, rocky technical sections and smooth straightaways. The lower section that parallels the highway allows you to ride the trail back to your car rather than biking on the highway.
BOOK YOUR CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE BASECAMP
Secure your suite at Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe and enjoy the former Cedar House Sport Hotel space, complete with premium gear access, co-working space, a barrel sauna (coming soon) and hot tubs and exquisite seasonal dining at Stella.
