Parrots Ferry Rips!

**mtbikermark** · 12-05-2004, 06:05 AM

Didn't get any takers for the Auburn ride this weekend so I hooked up with some friends and rode at Parrots Ferry instead. Awesome day. The trail there is really fun.

Steep, Rocky and technical at the top. Then as you get further down, jumps, berms, drops, wall rides, log rides, etc. await.

We worked on the transition of a 10-12' drop and then hit that a few times.

Hats off to the riders who have created that trail and maintain it. A lot of hours spent working for the sake of pure riding pleasure. I've heard they do a friendly DH race there occasionally.

On our way out we met up with another ridemonkey from SC: JimW. Hope he was just a stoked as we were with the trail.

**scurban** · 12-05-2004, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by mtbikermark

Didn't get any takers for the Auburn ride this weekend so I hooked up with some friends and rode at Parrots Ferry instead. Awesome day. The trail there is really fun.

Steep, Rocky and technical at the top. Then as you get further down, jumps, berms, drops, wall rides, log rides, etc. await.

We worked on the transition of a 10-12' drop and then hit that a few times.

Hats off to the riders who have created that trail and maintain it. A lot of hours spent working for the sake of pure riding pleasure. I've heard they do a friendly DH race there occasionally.

On our way out we met up with another ridemonkey from SC: JimW. Hope he was just a stoked as we were with the trail.

yeah, I rode it last weekend, that thing is so fun!

**bikenweed** · 12-05-2004, 10:32 AM

What trail is this? Never heard of it, but if it's as good as yall's say, I might get some heads together and ride...

**captainpolution** · 12-05-2004, 11:43 AM

sounds killer, where is this place located?

**punkassean** · 12-05-2004, 12:13 PM

It's near Sonora. JimW posted a link to a review on MTBR in the "Sonora" thread also here in the NorCal forum.

Sounds sick!

**scurban** · 12-05-2004, 12:40 PM

heres a picture of one of the many jumps at the bottom. Its a about 15' (rough estimate)

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/phot...w&image=353966

**punkassean** · 12-05-2004, 12:42 PM

Doss, that jump looks buttery smooth. We should roll up there soon. Maybe after the new Enduro is built.

**scurban** · 12-05-2004, 08:33 PM

Sounds good to me! I down whenever you want!

you should see the rest of em' The trail is sick, its got some log rides and several rock gardens as well!

**scurban** · 12-05-2004, 08:55 PM

BTW my brother-in-law just e-mailed me, he lives in sonora, and said that he found the perfect spot, and is currently building a north shore trail with fire road drop ins (easy climbs) right behind his house.... unlike Santa Cruz Sonora is very small, and land is so open that most people could give a Fawk if you build trails up there. Hmmmmmm I'm predicting a a future move for myself... since all my family is already there anyways.

**dvo** · 12-05-2004, 08:55 PM

that is it.......you guys have talked me into it, i have the day off tomorrow and i am going to head up there around 6-7 so i can get up there in time to get a couple runs in. how long would you say the trail is? i have read as long as 10 miles. is it a walk up/ride down deal?

**scurban** · 12-05-2004, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by dvo

that is it.......you guys have talked me into it, i have the day off tomorrow and i am going to head up there around 6-7 so i can get up there in time to get a couple runs in. how long would you say the trail is? i have read as long as 10 miles. is it a walk up/ride down deal?

yeah, Its a big day trip though... take some buddies, and some ..... ughhh proper tools......you'll be cool.

BTW theres a great bar in Downtown Sonora Called the Sportsman, check it out. you can take your dog in , buy a hunting license, Hunting acceseries, and Pitchers of Coors Light all in the Same place. Be kind to the Locals though.

**dvo** · 12-05-2004, 09:05 PM

sounds great, i am down for the adventure. my riding buddies are either working or in indo surfing so i am on the solo plan. i carry a bigger load on those remote solo rides. as far as the bar goes i should be there by 4 or so.

scurban i sent you pm if there are any details you can share.

**dvo** · 12-06-2004, 04:13 PM

i am not sure i even want to say just how good that trail is, i guess it is pretty remote and there is not to much chance of over crowding so.........that trail is sick!!!!
that being said spend some money with the local merchants and if they ask tell them you are there to mountain bike in the area. as they say money talks and it never hurts to spread some positive vibes.

**jimw** · 12-07-2004, 08:01 PM

I'm almost hesitant to post these pictures from the ride, but so far the trail seems to be pretty safe from getting taken out. What a sweet trail! On the way down, we ran into 3 of the guys that have been doing the work on that trail. One dude must have been in his 50's. Apparently they've been working on it for the last few years, adding jumps and obstacles. If you go and see any of the guys working the trail, give them props, they have done a great job. One thing that's nice about this trail is that there is something for everyone. Bigger obstacles for people with more experience, and smaller ones for those starting out. You can ride around everything if you want to. The top section is really technical though, so not really for beginners. It actually reminded me a lot of Pacifica, with the top section being like Crack/Mile, and the lower section kinda like Boy Scout.

Mark, it was cool running into you up there! PM me if you're ever down in this area and want to ride. What drop were you working on? Is it the one that is a gap jump across the trail, pretty close to where it starts getting steep/narrow/technical? I saw that one and was checking it out but didn't do it. The runout looked a little sketchy since it was so short and right into a turn. Next time...

OK, on to the pics.

Josh brought his son along, and he tried his hand at the jumps...

... and passed the initiation rite for entrance into the jumper's club!

In the 6-pack

Kelly's first jump

My "bike conscience" sitting on my shoulder, smacking me on the head and telling me that I must hit that wall ride...

Dustin on the wall ride

Dustin demonstating the amazing no-footer with clipless pedals!

Josh getting some air

The big double

Dustin hitting the log ride

Rutted out upper section. The picture angle is a little weird. This is actually looking down a steep curve from above. A lot of the upper section is rutted out like this.

Kinda out of focus, but funny... me jumping over Dustin, a.k.a the "Dustin double"

Big hip jump