Monumental Questions - Where can I ride my mountain bike in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?

Mountain Biking Cache Creek Ridge
The Berreyessa Snow Mountain National Monument region has many recreational opportunities – legal OHV-riding, night sky viewing, wilderness areas, hiking, kayaking, and camping. One activity that is often overlooked is mountain biking. In fact, when I talk to mountain bikers, most of them are completely unaware of the possible routes in the monument region.
A couple of options for less-experienced riders, Road 40/Rayhouse Road and Walker Ridge Road are great ways to get into the region. Road 40 starts at the lower site of the Cache Creek Canyon Park, north of Rumsey. The road is accessible by crossing Cache Creek using the new bridge. The route takes you into the mountains of western Yolo County.
Walker Ridge Road is a public road (that is often busy on the weekends) along the top of Molok Luyuk, forming the border between Lake and Colusa Counties. Bikers experience the wonder of the area and gain an appreciation of the need to protect the ridge by expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. On a clear day, there are wonderful views of Mount Konocti, Mount Diablo, the Sutter Buttes, Mount Lassen, Mount Shasta, and Snow Mountain.
Another road that would be extremely beautiful this time of year is Bear Valley Road. This road takes travelers to Bear Valley, one of the best wildflower areas in northern California. Because of this, the road is heavily traveled (for a remote, dirt road) in the spring.
For those looking for more of a challenge, Cache Creek Ridge offers a 9.5-mile (one-way) ride. This ridge has multiple climbs and descents through oak grassland. Riding from the Judge Davis Trailhead to the High Bridge Trailhead means the ride is mostly downhill.
A more difficult ride is the trail to Fiske Peak and the Blue Ridge. This is accessed from the lower site of the Cache Creek Canyon Park, like Road 40. However, this is a narrow trail that climbs steeply to the ridge top.
Check out our Trail Guide to get more information about these trails and to see what other trails can be ridden in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region.
-Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org)
Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director
Certified California Naturalist
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