When you live in Lake Tahoe, it’s a safe bet that outdoor recreation is just steps from your front door. For me, though, it’s just steps from my back door.
I live near an area in Truckee called The O6, which is a large tract of land covered in fire roads – one of which is called the O6. There are flat, wide fire roads, perfect for dirt biking, miles of flat single track, perfect for mountain biking, and plenty of secret areas to find, like the ice caves, accessible via hiking down a short dirt road (and then knowing where you’re going.)
In this trail system is a loop called Sawtooth, which ranges anywhere from 3 – 9 miles. It’s perfect for beginner mountain bikers or a short walk through the woods – maybe with a four-legged friend?
Getting there is easy, and parking is anywhere you can find it on the sides of the road. If you’re in Truckee, turn on Palisades Road, off of Brockaway, and follow it up for a few windy turns. Eventually, it turns into Ponderosa. Keep following it until you get to Silver Fir drive, where you’ll make a right. Follow it up a big hill, then back down, then turn left on Thelin drive. The O6 will be just ahead on your right – you’re there when you see the gate.
This area does back to a huge trail system so bears and coyotes aren’t uncommon. Bears aren’t much of an issue but when it’s dusk or dark, you may want to keep little dogs on a leash.
This is a fun area, never too crowded and offering something for everyone of all ability levels. Check it out, and have fun!
