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2024 49er GS Rides
We have put together a collection of off road tracks on dirt roads and OHV trails with varying degree of difficulty. These tracks were pre-ridden in early May and were acceptable at that time. Conditions can change, so be prepared. Carry tools and spares and do not ride alone. The Rally does not offer a rescue service! Click here for our Road Routes
Before venturing off the Road please consider the following important points
- Under no circumstances should you ride alone.
- We do not know your experience level so please use our ratings as only a guide. If you realize you are out of your comfort zone turn around.
- You will experience loose gravel, ruts, rocks, pinecones, tree branches, water, mud and maybe even a little snow on these rides.
- There is likely no cell signal in the area and these roads and trails are infrequently travelled.
- Be prepared for any and all situations including flat tires and be able to do basic repairs.
- We do not have rescue vehicles to extract bikes or injured riders
- Be aware that conditions can and will change from the time they were pre ridden and may have other obstacles or challenges that make the routes more difficult or impassible
- Many trails at the higher elevation ended in snow two weeks ago so if you leave the provided tracks be prepared to turn around if necessary. We do not recommend trying to cross snowbanks on big bikes.
- There has been a significant snowmelt in the last two weeks so there may be increased mud or flowing water to be careful of.
- There may be two way traffic so stay right at all time.
- Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water and drink frequently as it will be hot.
Use this link to dowload a file with all tracks. Otherwise click on each route name below to download individual files
A WARNING ABOUT COLORS AND “TRACKS”
We have color coded the tracks in the map below to give you an outline of the general direction of each track. However, your GPS device may change the individual track colors when you save the tracks to your device. Files uploaded to Rever can also change color. In that case, you can refer to the tracks on your GPS device by name, which match the descriptions below.
Please note that we are providing these rides as “tracks” and not “routes”. (If you don’t know the difference, read this explanation.) This eliminates many of the problems we encounter when user devices recalculate and change routes based on each user’s base map. However, it means that you will only be following the tracks like a trail of breadcrumbs. Turn-by-turn route directions (e.g. “turn left in 500 feet”) are not possible when using these tracks.
GS Intro Loop (Easy) - 40 mile loop (dark cyan) This 40 mile, 2 hour loop is great for all levels of riders and can be done two up. The route starts across the 49er Highway from the Mariposa Fairgrounds parking lot on Mormon Bar Rd. It is a pleasant ride through a river valley that leads you to a bridge crossing where the off road fun begins. The next 15 miles of dirt road, mixed with gravel and sand, makes for a challenge as you navigate the scenic rolling hills. Note that the condition of the sandy sections can change from week to week; at the time of pre-riding the sand portions were in good condition however it can turn very sandy with lots of car traffic. Check with Rally HQ if you do not like riding in sand. At about the 20 mile mark you have a scenic view of the Mariposa Creek Reservoir. Then you soon return to tarmac and ride back on the Ben Hur Rd to the fairgrounds. There are no services on this route. Burma Grade Loop (Intermediate) – 73 mile loop (light green) A bucket list ride! A mostly paved route through rolling hills until you reach Briceburg where the unpaved segment begins. A single-lane bridge crosses the Merced River, after which the trail immediately climbs steeply up exposed switchbacks with spectacular views until reaching the upper plateau. From there the trail winds north following undulating scenery before swinging west. You will make one or two easy water crossings before entering rugged ranch land and grazing country. You will pass through several gates, which you must close behind you. The trail drops down to Hwy 49 and a fast twisty ride back to Mariposa. Carter Ranch Loop (Intermediate) 35 mile loop (magenta) This loop ride passes Carter Ranch before entering a burn zone that shows the destructive power of a recent wildfire. There are some rutty sections that are not technically difficult but should be approached with careful attention to your choice of line. The views from the upper portions of the ride are spectacular. We recommend riding the loop in a clockwise direction to make the most of the views on the descent to Carter Ranch. There are two short connecting links across to other rides described next: Carter to Ferguson Link (Easy) – 2 miles (dark grey) This short link allows you to shortcut across from the Carter Ranch Loop to the Ferguson Ridge trail. Crossover Link (Easy) - 2.5 miles (black) Another shortcut from the Carter Ranch Loop to the Ferguson Ridge and/or to Footman Ridge trails. Ferguson Ridge Out and Back (Intermediate/Advanced) - 21miles each way (light blue) You will ride about 15 miles on tarmac until you turn on Apperson Mine Road where the road turns to dirt. Here you will have inclines and declines with some ruts to deal with. Exciting off road twisties up and over to the Ridge. Once you take the split out to Ferguson Point, you are treated to a scenic ridge ride with distant mountain views. There is an exciting climb at the end to the point which overlooks the Merced River to the north and Yosemite Nat Pk to the east. A great vista and well worth the ride. Footman Ridge Out and Back (Easy/Intermediate) – 18 miles each way (blue) The ride starts on pavement through a forested residential area until you turn off just above the Jersydale Fire Station. From there it is a freshly compacted graded road to a small saddle where you turn right to a dirt road that takes you to the top of Round Tree Saddle. There you should turn around unless you are an experienced rider and want to take the Round Tree Saddle link. There is lots of fun to be had on this ride! Chowchilla Fish Camp Loop (Intermediate) - 64 miles (dark green) This ride climbs several thousand feet through varied terrain to the Chowchilla Mountain area and then descends to Fish Camp on Hwy 41. From there it’s a scenic slab ride back to camp. Or you can reverse the route for double the fun on the ride home. Or jump on the Ten Mile Grade to make a loop back over Chowchilla Mountain. Advanced riders could join this ride from the Footman Ridge trail by taking Round Tree Saddle Road (also described below) to Chowchilla Mountain Road, bearing in mind that this segment has some challenging sections. We do not recommend reversing the ride up Round Tree Saddle Road. Ten Mile Grade (Intermediate) (10 miles+) (magenta) From Hwy 41 you can take Ten Mile Grade to the Chowchilla Mountain summit area (or reverse), providing yet another option to create a loop ride in this area. Some excellent views and engaging terrain. WARNING: At the waypoint marked “Bog” you may encounter a short section of mud which was rather nasty as of May 1st but it will hopefully dry out in time for the 49er. Use your judgment and remember, life is an adventure! Round Tree Saddle Hard Section – 5.5 miles (red) This section drops off the Round Tree Saddle into a short section of stony stream bed/trail and then a heavily rutted road to Chowchilla Mtn Road. Although the ruts are not difficult, they are multiplying with each season and require a careful choice of line.
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