Bear Trap Basin Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Bust out your enduro bike because for this ride you are going to need a bike that can descend the extremely rough terrain going into the basin, but also a bike that climbs well to get out. This is one of the more challenging rides in Bear Valley and NOT RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS.

This ride is mostly on doubletrack jeep roads, but going into the basin is a super rough, rocky, and rutted out doubletrack. About half way through this ride, you'll come across a cabin in a beautiful meadow owned by the USFS. You can stay the night here if you want to make it a pack in/pack out mountain bike adventure.

Bring plenty of water and snacks; this is a backcountry ride that can take up to three hours to complete. A basic first aid kit is a good idea because this loop takes you pretty far out of town.

Starting in Bear Valley, the ride begins on the pavement heading north up Creekside Drive. At the school, Creekside Drive turns into Bear Valley Road. Continue up Bear Valley Road about 0.75 mile and turn right on Flynn Road and go all the way to the end. You have now reached the Koala Access Road and you'll follow this dirt road with spectacular views to the south.

At the top of the Koala Access Road you'll reach the Bear Valley Ski Area Maintenance Facility. Turn left on the paved road up to the maintenance yard and continue through the yard until you hit the dirt road again. Go up the dirt road about 500 feet and take a hard left. You are now on the ski area so be aware of maintenance vehicles that may be on the mountain.

Continue up the mountain access road about a mile until you reach the top of the ski area at Bear Chair. Take a right down the dirt road about 0.25 mile and look for a singletrack on the left. That will take you to another dirt access road that leads to the top of the ridge near the top of the Corral Hollow OHV Trail.

Continue past the Elusive Trail and follow Forest Route 7N35 3.2 miles all the way into Bear Trap Basin. At the cabin, you are on Forest Route 7N11A and need to follow that about a mile where you'll find a dirt path to the left that leads back to the Elusive Trail; take this to the intersection with Corral Hollow OHV Trail all the way back to Bear Valley.