Description

It can be tough to find a truly technical mountain bike ride that maintains the challenge both uphill and downhill while simultaneously offering a very climbable ascent and a shreddable way back down the mountain.

And yet, you'll find exactly that on this loop of Kibbles-n-Bits and Boneshaker, which makes it a rare gem of a tech ride indeed! To begin, roll out from the trailhead and climb the Kibbles-n-Bits trail as the main ascent to the top of the ridge.

(Kibbles-n-Bits is the furthest trail to the right from the parking lot.) This techy climb powers up a plethora of rocky boulders and ledges, and while the climb requires competent bike handling and plenty of power moves, it's all quite rideable (with practice, in some places).

In addition, the grade of the climbing trail is very reasonable, with little to no hike-a-biking required.

Again, this is a rarity on steep tech trails, and a boon that I highly appreciated! At some points, navigating Kibbles-n-Bits is quite difficult, so be sure to download this route for offline use. Once you've finished Kibbles-n-Bits, you'll find a number of trail options higher in the network.

You can follow the route here for one recommended option that adds in some additional miles and pedaling, or you can shortcut over to the main event: the descent down Boneshaker. Boneshaker begins fast and smooth, but quickly gets rougher and tougher.

Soon, you'll be launching off of big ledge drops, plummeting down stair-stepped rocks, skidding through loose scree, and rolling big rock slabs.

Some of the features on this trail are not rollable and require full commitment to huck, sometimes with a narrow landing on an exposed bench of singletrack.

These sections can be walked, but Boneshaker definitely earns its double black diamond rating! If you choose to take a break on your way back down, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area just across the highway.

The stunning vistas of towering red rock cliffs and the deep red of the Calico Hills make this ride as beautiful as it is technical.