Review by cRash and Lonestar
The Bull Mountain trail system and general area offers a little something for everyone. Too much rain lately? Knock yourself out on all the forest service roads in the area. But the real draw here is the miles and miles of singletrack/FS road options available to put together a long day in the saddle. So much so, the Fool’s Gold 50/100 mile endurance race is annually held here, along with the SORBA Nimblewill festival. Please note that these are multi-use trails that generally see some horse traffic on the weekends, so be on your best behavior to help create a good vibe for mountain bikers.
Bull Mountain Directions
Bull Mountain Specs
- Classification: Cross Country
- Trail Difficulty: It has bumps (modest)
- Trail Traffic: Hey Dude! (low)
Bull Mountain Mountain Bike Trail Review
Most cyclist will usually start at the Bull Mtn. parking (as shown below). You may want to use the wide open parking lot to get warmed up some, because the Bull Mountain trail doesn’t start off gradually. After an easy spin up the FS road to 1C, gear down and take a left onto the Bull Mountain trail. The first mile of this trail gets your heart rate up quickly, with a rooty, rutted out technical climb right off the bat. It eases up a little by the time you reach 1D, but you’ll know you have been climbing. Stay left and continue up on old roadbed. You will gradually climb for the next couple of miles I’m guessing before the trail starts to roll up and down a little a little more. You’ll enjoy a couple of small creek crossings and tight, rhododendron encased singletrack. At 1E, you’ll see the Lance Creek road break off to the right. Keep going straight onto the Bear Hare Trail.
The Bear Hare section of the trail will soon give you back some of that elevation you gained on the Bull Mtn. trail. Well almost. After crossing Lance Creek, you’ll have what will be the last of the climbs for a while. It is short, but steep. After reaching the top, let your travel out if you can and lower your seat because the Bear Hare descent is just plain fun. A little more technical to me than what you see at Bear Creek or Tanasi, for example, but nothing too crazy. This will eventually pop you into a clearing where the singletrack turns into FS Road and provides an exhilarating descent to Lance Creek (1F). Careful though, as there is some loose gravel on this road and it would hurt to fall at the speed you’ll attain.
Now you have some options. Pressed for time? Cross the creek and head back to the Bull Mtn. parking lot. Ready for more? Keep going straight on FS 77A and work your way to FS 77 on a peaceful stretch of FS road. When you reach FS 77, turn left on the road and continue on to first trail to break to the right. This is the upper section of the Turner Creek trail. You’ll go a short distance before taking another right onto the trail itself. Hang on for a great downhill run that will leave you grinning ear to ear. There will be one intersection along the way (2B). Stay left for more fun until you reach FS 28 (2F). Turn left on to FS28 and proceed to the No Tell trail (2G). You can also opt to do the Black Branch loop (not covered in this review).
No Tell starts innocently enough before turning up in a big way. Not technical really, but pretty steep for a while. After a quick downhill, the trail flattens out for a while. If you have time, check out the old cemetery that is marked on the right. You’ll eventually climb back to the top of the Turner Creek trail (2C). Turn left and enjoy the ride again. When you reach the next trail intersection (2B), break to the right (or straight I believe) instead of turning left as you did before. This will take you to the intersection of FS77 and FS77A. Cross FS77 and turn left on the singletrack trail. If you are sadistic, enjoy the loose, rocky climb that ensues. If not, take comfort that your climbing for the day is about finished. Stay to the right when you reach a meadow and continue on the Jones Creek Ridge trail. This is a nice trail that is more open than most that you have been on so far. You’ll go across a dam at one point that provides some great views of the mountains around you. After crossing the dam, there are a few mostly gradual climbs to conquer before you reach the Bull Mtn trailhead again (1C). Turn left on the FS road and enjoy an easy spin back to the parking lot.
The map image provided is pretty accurate and you notice that each trailhead is well marked for the most part. The distance on this route is 21-22 miles. No idea of the vertical on this route, but it isn’t insignificant.
Note: The ‘Lotta images below are the stats and tracking from the description above.
