Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe's classic, technical MTB descent.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 434 m
Descent: 833 m
Duration: 1-2 hrs

Low Point: 1.9 km
High Point: 2.7 km
Gradient: 8˚

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is “an iconic rocky, technical and fun descent that gives advanced riders a satisfyingly-long 6-mile downhill,” according to TAMBA. The trail plunges "through towering forests and boulders on the upper sections then gives way to fast, banked turns on the lower sections.” Be sure to bring your long travel bike, as Mr. Toad’s is guaranteed to challenge you!

Photo from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride — Photo: Greg Heil

Description

Mr. Toad’s was one of the original mountain bike rides in Lake Tahoe, and TAMBA has only helped make the trail better and better over the years. Local trail builders have fixed up worn out sections and added sweet bike-optimized air and flow features, such as the banked turns mentioned above.

You can access the descent from two main points. The more difficult option involves starting all the way over at Heavenly Mountain and pedaling along the Tahoe Rim Trail to reach the descent. Or, as mapped here, you can take a shuttle up and begin at the Big Meadow Tahoe Rim Trail parking lot. From the Big Meadow Parking Lot, it’s a quick 3-mile climb to the top of the 6-mile descent.

Alternatively, you can loop Mr. Toad’s by climbing up Armstrong Pass and then traversing the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Sources: https://tamba.org/trails/

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.