Sickter Gnar

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

While most of the terrain at Black Rock features smooth dirt and minimal rock, the top of Sickter Gnar (SG1) is definitely an exception. From the start ramp, it runs head long into an awkward rock garden rife with pedal grabbers. The rock garden does fade away quickly, but it isn’t time to relax just yet. Ahead, a sharp right turn charges into another techy section with steep roll-downs and off-camber rocks. It's a good challenge that's quite fun, but it does come at you fast the first time. A final rock-armored turn is all that separates riders from the more customary dirt ahead. The rest of the section flies by in an assortment of berms, booters, and doubles before reaching the optional road gap across the Summit Access Road.

SG2 matches the fast pace with straightaways and more chances to catch air. If you're riding in the wet, be aware that the in-trail tabletop jump has a wood landing. In the distance, a wide, wooden arch dominates the scene as it crosses over Granny’s Kitchen. The last few turns mix in a few roots for added flavor before reaching an optional hip above the Summit Access Road.

Up next is a section of cruising fun as SG3 forgoes back-to-back hits for narrow singletrack and deep berms that feel like riding on the Forest Moon of Endor. The final berm banks right past a small section of paver stones before feeding into a small drop. It's more-or-less rollable but feels very abrupt when you aren't expecting it.

From the road, there are two options – the Sickter Gnar Bypass takes off straight ahead, and SG4 begins just down the road. Most people naturally flow into the bypass, but if you want to stick to Sickter Gnar proper, look for a rocky chute to the left that leads to a long-planked skinny that offers a balancing challenge. On the other side, the trail picks up the bypass (look for riders as you merge) and continues through stepped log-rolls and optional jumps before leveling out at the clearing formed by the Lower Road Spur.

Keep pedaling to maintain good speed into all the berms and jumps that make SG5 a real hoot! Tabletops, long doubles, and a particularly fun stepped-log section blur by on this short and exhilarating descent that ends with two rapid road crossings.

The final section of Sickter Gnar may begin with some mellow singletrack, but things quickly get rowdier. The fun kicks off with banked turns that quickly flow into a steep chute with a tight catch-berm at the bottom. SG6 levels out some, but the rolling terrain is peppered with tight rocks and a few pedal grabbers. Look for a few optional high lines to mix things up. The bottom of SG6 runs out through a patch of lush vegetation as it heads to the base of Basic Training. Just follow the push-up trail to the road.