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
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