California · Mountain biking

First Divide Trail

2.6 mi
round trip
396 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is First Divide Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

First Divide Trail is a mountain biking route in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back that covers about 5 miles with a total elevation gain of about 400 feet, and it is rated easy. The route starts at a low point of about 2,965 feet and climbs to a high of about 3,305 feet. The most comfortable months for a ride are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Downieville weather station show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 72°F, with July and August highs near 89°F. The Downie River paddling route is about 1.3 miles away, and the Oxford MC Trail and Downie River Trail are both within about 2.3 miles. Union Flat campground is about 3.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit First Divide Trail

    Best months: April–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      48° / 30°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 31°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      58° / 33°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      63° / 36°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      72° / 42°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 46°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 51°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 50°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 46°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 39°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 33°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Downieville, CA, 2.4 mi away at 2,915 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more rides worth the drive

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors