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An easy and enjoyable loop as its own or as an add-on to the Calaveras South Grove Loop.


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Map Key

11.2

Miles

18.0

KM

0%

Singletrack

4,805' 1,464 m

High

4,456' 1,358 m

Low

630' 192 m

Up

629' 192 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Watch for bears and other big critters. Dogs off-leash okay outside of the State Park Boundaries. If you're going to go exploring, make sure to have a USFS map with you.

Overview

A short and mild loop out to the "OK Corral" along pleasant forest roads. It can also be a nice add on to the South Grove Loop. This is a fun ride in a game refuge, so you could see bears, cougars and the like. Don't forget to make noise occasionally to avoid startling a predator.

Need to Know

  • From the Big Trees State Park entrance, visitors will should pay the entrance fee, grab a map, and then head straight towards Beaver Creek Picnic Area, nine miles away to reach the parking for this ride.
  • This loop can be an add on to the nearby South Grove Loop. Or riders can add mileage by continuing north from the OK Corral to reach Camp Curry or beyond.

Description

From the parking area, head behind the pipe gate and follow the Entrance Road north to connect with Forest Road 5N07. Continue right at the intersection and follow the road across Beaver Creek Bridge and up the hill for about 1.3 miles. This minimal climb is probably the most difficult of the whole loop.

Head left (east) on Forest Road 5N05X (going to the right instead would start the South Grove Loop). Ride for a few miles along a steady but mild climb till 5N05X intersects with Forest Road 5N03. Keep heading straight. When the road turns to gravel, go left down a short incline for about 100 yards. You'll come to another bridge that crosses Beaver Creek.

On the other side, bear right on Forest Road 6N08. A short distance later, is the Cow Camp corral near the pasture. Take a look around and either head back when you're done, or consider continuing up Forest Road 6N08 to reach Camp Curry or beyond.

On the way back, take the right turn that leads away from the bridge on lightly rolling terrain. At the next intersection, turn left on Forest Road 5N78 for a smooth descent that leads to a "road ahead closed" sign. Disregard, this refers to a second pipe gate that's usually open anyways.

Forest Road 5N78 ends with another gradual climb that continues along Forest Road 5N07. The last mile is where the real fun starts. Riders will go crashing down a long and fast doubletrack with several switchbacks that ends about 200 feet from the parking area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dan Oakland with improvements by Tom Bombadil

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 6 votes

#3412

Overall
  3.7 from 6 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
50%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#394

in California

#3,412

Overall
18 Views Last Month
3,342 Since Jun 21, 2014
Easy Easy

75%
13%
13%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Cow Camp Corral
Sep 2, 2017 near Arnold, CA
Wooden Bridge crossing Beaver Creek
Jun 21, 2014 near Arnold, CA
Great rest stop at the tip of the OK Corrall loop
Jun 21, 2014 near Arnold, CA
At around 1.9 miles the trail opens up into a meadow. Which makes a  good place for a snack.
Jun 25, 2017 near Arnold, CA
Along a rarely used fire road that offers two easy lanes for side-by-side riding.
Jun 25, 2017 near Arnold, CA
Twin Sequoias I refer to as The Brothers.
Jun 21, 2014 near Arnold, CA
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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jun 18, 2022
Emily Hardell
Great beginner trail. Make sure to check the app when coming to different forks in the trail as most are not well marked. Loved it. 11mi — 2h 00m
Jul 17, 2021
Casey McClellan
Great, fun loop, but can get confusing as there are several forks in the road and no signage. You do have to jump two gates along the way. 11.2mi — 2h 11m
Jun 16, 2018
Stephen SS
Aug 19, 2017
Melissa Avery
Biked it with two kids on a bike and one in a trailer. 11.6mi — 5h 01m
Jun 24, 2017
Tuan Pham
1st mountain bike ride for a 7yo, 36yo. Steady ascent to the OK Corral Loop start. Great shady fire road. 2.1mi — 2h 30m
May 17, 2016
John Et
Beautiful area! Thanks Dan for the write up.
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