Yuba Expeditions Day of Descent
You fill the van with riders and you choose where to go!
Ride the best shuttle-fed descending in Downieville, Lakes Basin, Mills Peak, and Mount Hough that standard shuttles don't reach.
Have a group of up to nine? Looking to get in a full day of singletrack? Want to ride Downieville and Mills Peak or some other cool combo of rides all in one day? Let’s Go! Our Day of Decent Private Session offerings provide just that. Pick where you would like to start and finish your day, Quincy, Graeagle or Downieville and the van will be there to load everyone up and head out for a day full of descending. Your nine (9) person group has full access to the van from 9am to 5pm for $1,400 for the entire day wherever you go. You can choose from a variety of itinerary options listed below sorted by start finish location. The most recommended ride plan is listed under Signature Selection. These Private Sessions will be available monthly starting in May through October.
Could be up 10,000 vertical feet and 30+ miles of shuttle-fed descending, or it could be a more mellow paced tour of the best descents in the region. You decide!
The shuttle at the top of Mt. Hough! Go get it!
Signature Rides
Mt. Hough Explorer in Quincy
Beginner to Advanced Riders
Starting from an elevation of 7200ft. at the Mt. Hough fire lookout with stunning views of Mt. Lassen, Lake Almanor, Sierra Buttes, the fast flowing trails descend 4000 ft. down to the pastoral American Valley. With trail difficulties from easy “green” to very difficult “black diamond” and everything in between, its close proximity to Quincy and easy highway access options form Chico, Truckee and Reno the Mt. Hough network is a great starting point for any two wheeled activity for the whole family and any ability level. More trails are getting dug every year, so new trails are easy to come by. Gravel riding is also top notch in the Quincy area, with hundreds of forest roads, gravel route options are numerous.
This regional ride has great options for families, entry level riders (advanced too!), with the flow trails, and good for gravel riders, moto, cross country and Ebikes.
Route Options
- Mt. Hough trail to Green Bridge - 12 miles, 4000 ft. descent
- Mt. Hough trail w/ Chandler add-on - 19.5 miles, 4600 ft. descent
- Indian Falls Ridge (from Crystal lake to Quarry rd.) 10.5 miles, 4200ft. descent
- Fireline to Berry Creek - 3.5 miles, 1000 ft. descent
- Tollgate trail - 2 miles, 1000 ft. descent
- Grinduro Course
Signature Selection
Mt. Hough Trail, Mills Peak Trail, Indian Falls Ridge
Mt. Hough Area Map
Mt. Hough on Trailforks.comGraeagle / Mills Peak / Lakes Basin
Intermediate to Advanced Riders
The Mills Peak trail is the anchor in this area, but there are so many trails in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area that this trail network can hold its own against some of the most popular areas around. Built as a “wheel optimized” trail, and descending 3000 feet in 10.6 miles the Mills Peak trail has been an instant classic since its completion by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship in 2014. The trail finishes just outside Graeagle, making it very convenient to get to your post ride activities, or to the other trail networks in the area Quincy and Downieville. With its rocky terrain and historic trail alignments the trails around Graeagle are quite technical and recommended for experienced intermediate and advanced riders.
Looking for technical rock gardens? Multiple summit options? Countless lakes? And did we mention the challenging rocks? This is it! No Ebikes and motos on this one, sorry.
Route Options
- Mills Peak trail - 10.6 miles, 3000 ft. descent
- Round Lake to Graeagle - 14 miles, 4200 ft. descent 2000 ft. accent
- Lakes Basin trails
Signature selection
- Mills Peak, Mt. Hough, Mills Peak
- Mills, Packer to Downieville, Mills, Brewing Lair
Lakes Basin & Mills Peak Area Map
Lakes Basin on Trailforks.comDownieville Adventure
Advanced Riders Only
Downieville the infamous. This historic gold miner build trail network is the gold standard for what the most difficult downhill riding can be. Downieville has been in the hearts and minds of adventure seeking mountain bikers for 25 years and still delivers to this day. This is the place to be if you want unlimited access to some of the most renowned and difficult trials there are. After 25 years the Downieville Classic race still draws riders from around the world to test themselves against the trials that help put mountain biking on the map.
Looking for fast and diverse trails? The Downieville area is the hometown of All Mountain riding and your enduro bikes will love this terrain. Need an extra challenge? Try the Tower to Town 7000+ft descent. Ebikes and motos welcome!
Route Options
- The “Classic” route - 15 miles, 5000 ft. descent
- Tower to Town - 18 miles, 6300 ft. descent
- Gold Valley Rim to Big Boulder
- Pauley Creek to Third Divide
- Sunrise Flow trail
- Packer Saddle Loop trail
- Butcher Ranch trail
- Second Divide
- Chimney Rock trail
- Empire Creek trail
- North Yuba trail
- Fiddle Creek trail
- Halls Ranch trail
Signature selection
Packer Saddle to Downieville, Mills Peak, Packer Saddle to Downieville
Downieville Area Map
Downieville on Trailforks.comHave something else in mind?
Custom overnight trip? Supported Gravel point to point ride? Supported ebike epic? Let us know what you have in mide and we will help make it happen.
Questions?
Email us at yubaexpeditions@gmail.com with any questions.
FAQs
What do I need?
We recommend wearing or bringing anything you would normally have on an all-day ride. Plenty of water, trail food, small personal items, bicycle tool kit, a good working bike and you being in good physical condition. Be sure to check the weather and dress appropriately.
When Should I Arrive?
We recommend arriving about 30 minutes before the start of your trip. This gives us plenty of time to make sure everything you need is sorted for the day.
What if I want to demo a bike?
All demo bike arrangements can be made through Yuba Expeditions. We can help sort out getting the bike to the meeting place for the day's ride.
What is the level of skill needed?
The Lost Sierra offers all types of trails; from “green” to “double black” we recommend that you have some mountain biking experience. Riding in The Lost Sierra has something for everyone, but most of our trials are for the adventurous at heart. If you are interested in mountain biking lessons, please contact us at Yubaexpeditions@gmail.com for recommendations.
What if I need to cancel?
We will refund 100% within a week, 50% within 3-7 days and no refund within 48 hours. If needed, we can work with you and reschedule for a later date.
Who do I get ahold with any other questions?
Feel free to email us at yubaexpeditions@gmail.com
Sign up for custom adventure fun!
SHUTTLE PRICING
$1,400 for the entire van
Up to 9 passengers
includes 3% Forest Service Special Use Tax
Contact Us to Sign Up for the Day of Descent now!
Advanced reservations are required.
Yuba is the pioneer of backcountry mountain biking in the Lost Sierra, and the first to offer trailhead transport in this part of the Sierra. Our drivers are skilled and have knowledge of the surrounding trail system; and our vehicles are commercially insured, professionally tuned, and equipped with top of the line Thule racks.
DAY OF DESCENT RESERVATION POLICY
PAYMENT IS DUE IN FULL AT THE TIME OF RESERVATION
please have your credit card ready
CANCELLATION POLICY
- more than 7 days notice: full refund
- 3 to 7 days in advance: 50% refund
- less than 48 hours in advance: No Refund
- Credit for another trip if cancelled within 48 hours.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
We DO NOT run with less than 4 riders per van, so bring friends to guarantee a lift
Yuba Expeditions is operating under Special Use Permit of the Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District.
WHERE TO MEET AND PARK
Shuttle Pick Up
Downieville
Meet at the patio with maps and benches
208 Main St, Downieville, CA 95936
Google Map
Parking: park near the river, see map here
Quincy
Meet at
Yuba Expeditions Adventure Center
550 Crescent St, Quincy, CA 95971
Google Map
Parking: Yuba Expeditions Adventure Center
Graeagle
Meet behind Millie's Ice Cream and Coffee Co. at the big lawn
7512 CA-89, Graeagle, CA 96103
Google Map
Parking: Park near the Yuba barn
(look for the Yuba sign above the front door)
But please do not block the barn entrance.