California · Mountain biking · Near Nevada City

Pioneer Trail

2.1 mi
round trip
194 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Pioneer Trail is a short, easy mountain biking route in California, about 1.5 miles from the community of Scotts Flat. The trail is an out-and-back that covers roughly 4.3 miles, with a low point of 3,705 feet and a high of 3,913 feet, giving it a total elevation gain of about 194 feet. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from the nearby Nevada City weather station show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 71°F, with only a few wet days in each month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Harmony Trail, a hike, starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Dascombe/Harmony Connector for mountain biking is about 0.3 mile off. White Cloud campground is about 3.8 miles away, and the South Yuba River: Edward's Crossing climbing area is about 4.3 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Rock Creek Mill Site

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Old 5 Mile House

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Firehouse Number 1 Museum

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Nevada City

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Pioneer Trail

    Best months: March–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

      51° / 35°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 35°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      57° / 37°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 40°

      9 wet

    5. May

      71° / 47°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 54°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 60°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 59°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 55°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 47°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 40°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 35°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Nevada City, CA, 6.2 mi away at 2,781 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors