Ely Mountain MTB Trail Network Plan
In 2020, Southern California Edison (SCE) gave YSGTC the green light to build mountain bike-specific trails on Ely mountain above Shaver Lake. Since then, YSGTC has been working hard to create and build a world-class network of trails for all ability levels. In 2021 we broke ground and completed the first trail, “Cannonball Run”, a trail all cut by hand that is jam-packed with granite, loamy corners, jumps, and drops from top to bottom. In late 2021 SCE granted approval for us to use machinery to help build our next trails. This opportunity changed this project’s timeline drastically. One of our amazing members purchased a mini excavator for the purpose of building trails in this network. By August 2022, we logged over 120 hours on the mini x resulting in 3 new trails for Shaver lake. We first extended Cannonball with “Cannonball Meadow”, a blue/green trail. We then collaborated with the Shaver Lake Volunteers to build “Sidewinder” a truly green, family-friendly trail close to the town of Shaver. YSGTC then got to work on the third trail “Thunderstruck”, a 2.6-mile blue with unique black optional features with over 2.1 miles of downhill with a drop of 1,457’ of vertical drop! With its breathtaking views, big rock rolls, optional jumps and drops, and roller coaster rock boulder finish, this trail will not disappoint. We have made major progress on this one-of-a-kind project but we still have a ton of work ahead of us! Stay tuned for upcoming workdays and check out the proposed maps to see what we have planned next!
Phase 1
May 2021-December 2021
A. Flag Cannonball Run from Ely granite down to low point in dogwood access road
B. Hand-cut trail
C. Fine tune and make improvements to existing lines
April 2022 (start time dependent on snow)-Mid-April 2022
A. Flag CBR extension down to meadow access road
B. Machine cut trail and shape with hand tools
C. Scout north ridge trail and start flagging
Mid-April 2022-August 2022
A. Machine cut Thunderstruck and shape with hand tools
B. Flag Ely East hiking trail (bike climb trail) extension down to saddle.
C. Hand cut Ely East extension
September 2022-October 2022
A. Flag beginner loop trail from Thunderstruck climb to East of Ely Trail Head
B. Machine cut beginner trail and shape with tools
Trail Descriptions & Ratings
● Cannonball Run: 2 miles, blue square with optional black diamond lines, jumps,
drops, etc. Average gradient 15%
● Thunderstruck: 3.5 miles blue square with optional black diamond features.
Average gradient 10%
● Mid Mountain 2 Way Trail: 2 miles, blue square. Trail for climbing and
descending. Average gradient 6%
● Ely East Extension: 0.75 miles, blue square. Average gradient 6%
● Beginner Loop: 1 mile, green. Average gradient 5%
