Description for Skyline
Skyline is located on BLM land approximately 32 miles east of Visalia, the largest city in Tulare County, off Highway 198 in Three Rivers. Three Rivers is about 213 miles north of Los Angeles and 266 miles south of San Francisco and is the gateway to Sequoia National Park. The land is open to mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians with no public vehicular access. Most of the equestrians and hikers stick to the fire roads as the singletrack is narrow, the terrain is steep and the trees and vegetation is dense in spots.
Most of the trails were originally created by cows, not the dairy ones that get milked ten times a day or the ones in little boxes soon to become veal, but the “happy ones” on the commercials grazing and flirting with other cows in the lush green grass (in the spring that is). The terrain consists of tight, and I mean 2x8 tight, technical singletrack which bob and weave through trees (literally), up, over and through rocks and with multiple creek crossings. There’s enough terrain here to keep you busy for the weekend or if you’re like some of the locals in the area, keep you coming back week after week, year after year. Because of the low elevation, 1,200 feet at the trailhead, Skyline can be ridden any time of the year, but the best time of the year is late winter and spring when the intermittent creek is flowing and everything is green. In the summer everything is the opposite of green and the temperature can be absolutely scorching, so if you ride in the summer it’s highly recommended to start early in the morning and afterward hop in the Kaweah River to cool off.
A popular descent after the four mile climb up the main fire road and 2,500 feet of elevation gain is the Creek Trail to Octupus, to Serpent, to Chutes and Ladders. All of these trails were named by local riders and are fitting once you ride them. The Creek Trail takes you along Salt Creek with multiple creek crossings and technical rocky sections and logs to clear while Chutes and Ladders drops you out on an old fire road turned singletrack that is fast and steep. Afterwards, your arms will be burning and even the best disc brakes will be smoking. This eight mile route feels more like ten or twelve. If you live in California and are looking for some place new to ride, or are just traveling through, take a detour from Highway 99 and check out Skyline you won’t be disappointed.
Directions to Skyline Trailhead
To get to Skyline exit Highway 198 from Highway 99 heading east through Visalia to Three Rivers. After passing through Three Rivers take a right on Skyline Drive and drive up the narrow windy road, about a mile or so, until it ends and park on the side of the road at the green gate. This is the trailhead where you’ll start and finish. Most riders take the fire road up and then take one of the many trails that branch off from the fire road. Route finding can be difficult your first time so grab a map or contact a local bike shop for more information. For additional information or supplies and repairs visit Sierra Bicycle Werks at 123 E. Main Street in downtown Visalia.
Comments/Reviews for Skyline
1. Skyline, Three Rivers, CA
by JSAlcorn, Sunday, January 01, 2012 12:14 PM
| Overall Review: | 4 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
Awesome place to ride in the Central California foothills...and there aren't many. Tight, technical singletrack with lots of variety, once you veer off the fire road. Three Rivers is a cool little mountain town too. I don't work for the Chamber of Commerce or anything. I just want to spread the word about how fun the riding here is. I used to live in Visalia and rode Skyline all the time. Now I live in Seattle and there's great riding here, but I do miss Skyline. Enjoy.