5. Truckee to Graeagle

TRUCKEE TO GRAEAGLE – 138 MILES

Leaving Truckee, the route passes by Boca Reservoir and turns to flowy dirt roads with an optional rocky climb up Verdi Peak (8,444’). Fill up in Sierraville, then travel the historic Henness Pass Road and Webber Lake, with pristine camping available at water’s edge.

WARNING: The very steep descent on dirt to Downieville via Galloway Road is a highlight, but not advised when wet, so an optional bypass track is available.

The main route follows a pleasant gravel road up Forest Road 93 just a few miles east of Downieville. An optional harder track offers a rocky, narrow climb, where you can continue north to the main route, or take the optional Expert section for a steep, challenging climb to a trailhead parking area just 3/4 mile from Sierra Buttes Lookout (8,587’). Although the road continues, the GPS track ends in a parking area on the left, where we suggest you park your bike and hike the rest of the way to the summit. WARNING: The road from the parking area to the summit is extremely dangerous, with steep, rocky, tight switchbacks and exposed cliff edges.

Single-lane pavement brings you to Gold Lake Hwy before exiting onto dirt and yet another spectacular lookout in this section, Mills Peak (7,324’), before reaching the quaint town of Graeagle.

Caution: Impassable Hill when Wet

5,311 ft

Caution: Steep, Rocky Hill

7,411 ft

Downieville - Food, Lodging, NO FUEL

2,894 ft

Fuel - Bassetts Station

5,482 ft

Henness Pass

6,923 ft

Mills Peak Lookout 7324'

7,317 ft

Sierra Buttes Lookout 8587'

8,505 ft

Sierra Buttes Trailhead Parking

7,927 ft

Sierra City - Food & Lodging

4,200 ft

Sierra Hot Springs

4,998 ft

Sierraville - Food, Gas, Lodging

4,963 ft

Truckee - Food, Gas, Lodging

5,823 ft

Verdi Peak Lookout 8444'

8,386 ft

Webber Lake Historic Area & CG

6,786 ft

CAN5 ALT Expert - Sierra Buttes Trailhead

2.1 mi
1,145 ft
-1,145 ft

CAN5 ALT Harder - Verdi Peak Lookout

5.8 mi
1,316 ft
-1,316 ft

CAN5 ALT Bypass - Downieville Hill

14.7 mi
760 ft
-3,469 ft

CAN5 ALT Harder - Sierra Buttes

14.5 mi
3,968 ft
-281 ft

CAN5 EXT - Mills Peak Lookout

4.0 mi
625 ft
-625 ft

CAN5 - Truckee to Graeagle

136.8 mi
12,444 ft
-13,897 ft

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