Level: Advanced
Length: 17 mi (27.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +3,387/4 ft
Total: 103 riders
Mountain Biking 1st / 2nd / 3rd Divide
#11 of 1,000 mountain bike trails in California
#185 in the world
Head east out of town to Lavezzola road. right on to south 1st divide trail at small P.G.E station. easy climb to Lavezzola road and take a right onto road 2nd Divide is only a short climb on your right. climb some more ( both 1st and 2nd kinda roll alot of gain loss ) I have never seen anyone clean the final climb to 3rd Divide where you will take a left for a short climb to a very fast drop down 3rd Divide to the fire road which drops to the north section of 1st divide just passed bridge on the right. This will take you back to south 1st divide and back to town. tis a must do
First added by Juan_Gear on Jun 25, 2005. Last updated Apr 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
HWY 49 to Downieville stop at Yuba Expeditions. Pick up a map
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I don't have much to add as other reviewers nailed the trail description. This was my first time out here and this run has everything you'd ever want in a mtb ride. The drops weren't too big, the boulders were doable and even easy at speed, and the flow was apparent through the whole 15 mile stretch. Sickest ride I've had thus far.
| ThankGreat trails. 5 stars from Sunrise/Butcher. Just a great place to ride
| ThankRode this as part of a day long Downiville trip and loved every foot of these trails. Took a 5 inch travel trail bike and had a great time, but I think a longer travel bike would have been a smoother and faster ride.
| ThankRode up second divide and then down third into first. Was fast and pretty smooth - only a section or two on the downhill that had to be walked - for me. Well worth the pedal up
| ThankShuttle service is up and running from Downieville.
| ThankBeautiful, narrow singletrack with epic views of the river and some blazing-fast descents. Mostly smooth, although there are a couple of technical spots.
| ThankDefinitely shuttle if you have any questions about your fitness or even if you just want to be fresh to really enjoy the fantastic downhill. This is great stuff! Four stars for just the divides, five if you do the full downhill with Sunrise and Butcher Ranch.
| Thank8,000+ feet of climbing total, so your long travel bike might not be the best tool, for this ride.* Review edited 7/27/2009
| Thank* Review edited 7/31/2009
| Thankgreat trail at speed ( AS FAST AS YOU CAN GO ) It's got flow w/ shots of tech. keep your eye on the trail not the river down below or you will get to see it close up.
| Thankapparantly racers can do this in 45 minutes, took me about an hour and a half haha cuz we stopped for food, safety meeting, etc. definately get a map if you havent been here and make sure you have enough daylight. first time i was here it got dark real fast and i had no flashlights or anything
| Thankonly way to ride it all is up then down. Down hill ony is butcher Ranch to 3rd which is fun but a differant ride
| ThankVery fun ride if you take the shuttle up. There are many trails but Butcher Ranch takes you to 3rd Divide to 1st Divide back to town and it is almost totally down hill.
| ThankGo to Yuba Expeditions, and pay $20, and shuttle to the top. The ride down is incredible. Don't limit yourself by riding up then back down!
| Thank