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A meandering singletrack that connects Grand Ave/HWY 89 to Barker Pass Road. Gnomes are real!


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Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.5

KM

Singletrack

6,408' 1,953 m

High

6,292' 1,918 m

Low

132' 40 m

Up

33' 10 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Very little elevation gain, some roots and rocks, otherwise easy and meandering.

Description

This trail is a meandering singletrack connector that connects Grand Avenue/Hwy 89 to the base of the Barker Pass Road climb. It's a decommissioned fire road that is open for non-motorized use but has turned back into singletrack nicely. It's a great way to avoid riding on the pavement on the way to Barker Pass. We usually use this trail as part of a larger backcountry ride on Ellis Peak Trail or connecting to General Creek Trail.

There are gorgeous aspens, spring wildflowers, and gnomes! Also a creek for doggies to splash and play. A great place for golden aspens in September, too.

To get there, take Grand Avenue from Highway 89 to the end of the road. There is a small parking area and a Forest Service gate. The singletrack begins at the gate. To see the gnome community, take the left turn approximately 150 yards past the Forest Service gate. The right fork parallels the gnome trail and comes back together. The trail is easily rideable in both directions. The eastern end of the trail is at the base of the Barker Pass Road climb just after the bridge. The trail entrance is obvious and marked with a non-motorized use sign.

About the gnomes and a rad bit of colorful West Shore localism: At the creek crossing stop and take a look to the upstream side. If you look carefully, you'll see a rad/weird/epic collection of gnome figurines along with other animals and characters arranged in funny vignettes. A neighborhood local continually brings new ones, and rearranges the vignettes. Pretty awesome. YOU MAY REARRANGE THE GNOMES, BUT DO NOT REMOVE OR HURT THEM!

We ride this trail regularly as a connector to get to Barker Pass, Ellis Peak, and the other trails west of Barker Pass.

Contacts

Shared By:

S. Lengyel

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#41

in Lake Tahoe

#21101

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#41

in Lake Tahoe

#1,560

in California

#21,101

Overall
23 Views Last Month
5,204 Since May 11, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

0%
67%
33%
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Photos

Sometimes the gnomes get... rearranged.  Over the last 12 years, there have been hundreds of different gnomes.
Sep 15, 2016 near Sunnysi…, CA
For anyone wondering why it's called Gnome Trail...
Sep 15, 2016 near Sunnysi…, CA
The figurine collection is constantly changing. A hilarious West Shore spot.
Sep 15, 2016 near Sunnysi…, CA

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May 28, 2022
David Lindstedt
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