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Round Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.9 (19)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Gold Country
  4. …Nevada City
  5. Round Mountain
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“A local favorite, this ride has sweet, tight trail with an easy dirt road up from Purdon Crossing. ”

Paul Rogers
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Map Key

10.8

Miles

17.4

KM

75%

Singletrack

3,230' 985 m

High

1,693' 516 m

Low

2,088' 636 m

Up

2,090' 637 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

There can, on a rare occasion, be snow. Or too much rainfall. Allow 48 hours after rains as this is the red clay dirt that gets easily scarred by knobby tires.

Overview

I call this "Big Little Loop". It is only 10 miles, but packs in some elevation and feels bigger. The singletrack makes it so worth it! The climb out is at the end, but it's easy and 1/3 concrete.
This is one of the more remote trails in the area, and it's worth the small drive outside of town.

There is a Lookout on Round Mountain that is quite spectacular on clear days. It's just a hop and skip to it from the loop. At about mile 2.4 there is a turnout with a trailhead sign, detour from here to the lookout and then cut back to the trail.

Yuba River offers several swimming holes and mellow vibes at and before Purdon Crossing. look for offshoot trails along South Yuba Trail: Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing. Which also gives you the option of going up and back for more trail time.

Need to Know

Parking; At Purdon Rd and Rector, take the dirt road up maybe 100ft. there is parking turnouts. Ticks, Mosquitos and poison oak, not necessarily in that order...

Description

Start your ride with a mellow climb on a nice narrow, hard-packed trail. You'll experience a few ups and downs as the trail meanders up Round Mt. Slowly, the trail becomes a little tighter, a little steeper, a little bit more technical, and super fun.

From the top of Round Mountain Trail, you'll descend to the river. This section of trail has steep drop-offs and plenty of speed, so keep it tight. The margin for error is quite small here!

Once down to the South Yuba Trail: Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing, take a left. The trail now meanders up and down, in and out on sweet singletrack. Eventually, you'll pop out at Purdons crossing and start the dirt ride up.

An alternative option is to park at Purdon and do the climb first.

History & Background

BONC built, Rider approved...

Geocache called "Coyote Outlook" at N 39° 18.750 W 121° 00.162

Contacts

Local Club: Bicyclists of Nevada County

Land Manager: USFS - Tahoe National Forest Office

Shared By:

Paul Rogers with improvements by Donald Novak
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 19 votes

#1

in Round Mountain

#1819

Overall
  3.9 from 19 votes
5 Star
32%
4 Star
47%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
16%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Round Mountain

#220

in California

#1,819

Overall
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9,679 Since Mar 6, 2015
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Photos

Riding down the singletrack from Round Mountain to the South Yuba River trail
Feb 27, 2015 near Nevada…, CA
Intersection of Edwards Crossing and Round Mountain Trails.
May 3, 2016 near Nevada…, CA
Comin' round the mountain.... on the Round Mountain Loop
Apr 2, 2015 near Nevada…, CA

7 Comments

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Check-Ins

Aug 19, 2024
Fred Flores
Great trail but the overgrown poison oak makes you think twice. Somehow I avoided contact with it. 11mi — 1h 30m
Jun 10, 2022
Marc Mandel
Fun trail . Start at river and climb to top and finish at the river I think is a better ride. 11mi — 1h 45m
May 14, 2022
Andreas Jorgensen
Sep 21, 2021
Lisa Koregelos
Great ride, does anyone know how to avoid the road return uphill climb from the parking lot down by the river? . 10.4mi
Jul 4, 2021
Nick Burns
May 22, 2021
Dan Mote
Sep 12, 2020
Michele Manna
Jun 20, 2019
Death Star
Don't forget your Tecnu! I swear this is the spot where Poison Oak first evolved!

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