Lacks Creek

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Epic scenery with fast and fun trails through Oak Prairies and Old Growth Fir forests. About 10 miles of singletrack that can be linked together for about a 16 mile ride, or looped until you can't ride anymore. Expect moderately difficult, punchy climbs, some technical sections and lots of fast, tree-dodging singletrack. The trail drains well and is rideable year-round unless covered by snow.

There are ample shuttle opportunities as well, with the most popular being Tomfoolery (10+ minute descent) and Chutes (The defacto DH course at 3 minutes or so, but very steep and technical).

Driving Directions: Drive east on Highway 299 for 17.8 miles from Highway 101. Turn left at the Redwood Valley turn off (Bair Road) and travel 3.9 miles. Make a right turn at the sign that reads "Hoopa - 22 miles", and travel 5.9 miles up this windy gravel road. The entrance is a left turn. For a map, check out the BLM website. For current road conditions please do not hesitate to call the Arcata Field Office at (707) 825-2300.

Directional signage is not yet installed, but the trail system does not have many trail junctions so a general sense of your location and the map will usually do. There are now BLM paddles at all trailheads. There is no water on site, and no services within an hour's drive, so be prepared. Cell phone coverage is spotty but it exists on most of the system.

Please be aware there may be construction in progress. Technical features on the trail are not marked.

Currently, the start point for the trail system is off of Pine Ridge Road. Take it from the Lacks Creek road junction where the kiosk is located. We recommend driving up Pine Ridge road until you reach the main parking area next to the large Black Oak Prairie. This main parking lot is an excellent central location for riding the system, with views to the ocean for post ride hanging out and convenient jump trail sessioning.

Tomfoolery or Chutes are popular shuttle runs.

The "standard" ride goes something like this:

From the main parking area, ride Pine Ridge Trail north, then climb the fire road to the beginning of Stormy Saddle Trail. Climb Stormy Saddle the the top, then descend, crossing the road once about 2/3 of the way down. From the bottom of Stormy Saddle take Pine Ridge Trail back to the parking lot, where you'll descend on Tomfoolery to Midslope Road. Turn left on Midslope and climb about half an hour, passing the bottom of Chutes along the way, to Lacks Mountain Trail (look for the campground to your right at the top of the climb) which you'll want to do counterclockwise, followed by Punchbowl and maybe a quick trip back down Chutes (experts only). Take the road back to either the Jump Trail, the upper section of Tomfoolery or Runaround, all of which end back at the parking area. This ride is about 16 miles in length with over 3,000 feet of climbing.

Most of this property was recently acquired by BLM after being heavily logged over the last 40-50 years. BLM has been working hard to reclaim historic Oak prairies that had been encroached upon by Fir forests. Evidence of this work and fuels thinning projects can be seen throughout the property.