FATMAP by Strava

Jamison Creek Shuttle

Quick shuttle run on the world-class Jamison Creek Trail.

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance
9.3 km
Ascent
258 m
Descent
657 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
1.6 km
High Point
2.2 km
Gradient
10˚
Jamison Creek Shuttle Map

Jamison Creek is regarded by some riders including Kurt Gensheimer as “truly world-class” mountain biking. Hang on to your grips—this trail delivers!

Description

Note: this shuttle requires a high clearance vehicle, ideally with 4x4.

The upper section of Jamison Creek is fast and wide open with some drops and some beautiful views… and then come the boulders. Jamison creek is bouldery! A local rider labeled Jamison Creek as the most technical mountain bike trail in the Downieville region. So, consider yourself warned: Jamison is no joke.

In many places, the trail feels like a dry creek bed. You’ll negotiate some big boulder moves up high, then drop into tight squirrelly sections, finishing with some slightly faster areas down low. Through this middle portion, the trail drops into a stunning, narrow mountain valley with lofty views of pristine mountain lakes hemmed in by vertical rock walls. Finally, lower down, the singletrack drops into lush creek bottoms as it skirts the edge of one of the lakes you spotted up higher.

After the lake, the final section of trail is the most technical. This fall line descent offers up a veritable onslaught of formidable rock boulder steps. Most of the steps are rollable, but one or two have to be dropped. More can be hucked if you’re feeling ambitious. This section is largely responsible for the label as one of the most technical trails in the region, and helps push Jamison Creek over to the “Extreme” FATMAP difficulty rating. If you want to pick nits, perhaps Jamison Creek is on the low end of “Extreme” but any way you slice it, this trail is rough!

Sources: Dirt Rag

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between July and October

Features

  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • Drops
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area