Cholla Gauntlet Trail

Description
Singletrack through a forest of cholla cactus and up a rocky ridgeline to a dirt road, which can be followed uphill (south) to Cerro Piñon. It is hard to find this single-track off the two-track that climbs from SR 503. Climb the two-track from SR 503 and you reach a distinct summit. The two-track goes downhill and then veers left (north). Watch for the start of this single track on the right-hand side as it drops down gravel and rocky single track and crosses two narrow and deep arroyos perpendicularly. After this, you are on a narrow single track with sand traps as you ride amongst a forest of cholla cactus. Follow this until you leave the cholla area and climb a granitic base single track to Camp Frank Rand Road (County Road 123).
Distance
1.60 miles (3.0 km) one-way distance
Elevation Gain/Loss
+464 ft / – 54 ft
Connector Trail
Connects Donner Party Trail with Cerro Pinon Road. Can be made into a loop with SR 503 and Cerro Pinon Road (County Road 123)
Single-Track
Connects With
Donner Party Trail
State Route 503
Environmental Awareness
- Traverses cryptobiotic soils
- Keep the Single-Track Single!
- Leave cattle gates as you find them. Cattle have died from bikers closing gates and cutting off their access to water.