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.