Race Loop Trail (Yellow Loop)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Big Bear Lake is an awesome spot for classic East Coast singletrack. The $10 entrance will get you in and give you a map. Superb trail developments will have you loving it. The terrain at Big Bear has a lot to offer: gradual climbs, large embedded rocks, tight slaloms, challenging rock gardens, and off-the-saddle descents. Additionally, you'll be winding knee deep through ferns and flora, cruising on soft needle pines and skinning elbows on groves of mountain laurel.

To access the Race Loop trail, take any of the several trails that connect from the main parking area using the MTB Project MTB Project mobile app as needed. The Race Loop is excellent for most ages and all but beginner abilities as long as there is a desire for some adrenaline and a willingness to work a little. The annual 2x12 race at Big Bear, which has a fantastic party atmosphere, is primarily run on the Race Loop trail. It is marked with yellow signs. Race times hit the hour mark, but expect about a 2h ride time.

Running the loop in the clockwise direction gives you a downhill on the steepest section. If you start by taking the left branch at the end of Dam Connector trail you'll continue alongside the resort trailer campsites and then hit a series of ascents as you make your way out. After cresting, the ensuing descent will take you past the large open area that serves as the start/finish area and camp central of the 2x12 event. Twisty, fast singletrack will then take you out to a section of trail running on the West Virginia/Maryland state line.

After this, the trail takes you back in a westerly direction as it gently ascends to the Pine area. The grove has virtually no undergrowth and you'll be on soft needle-covered trail. Next is some rocky fun riding that gets increasingly steep culminating in a wide, fast, and jarring descent that takes you down to a tricky right turn. As your arms fatigue, you'll encounter a straight shot down to a creek bed. Ride down the creek bed briefly, up the other side (continuing across a bridge), and back up to resort trailer sites where you started the loop.