There and Back Again - Mountain Bike Trail

There and Back Again is a network of trails in Quicksilver. The trails are wide and mostly in good condition, up to 20 miles.

There and Back Again, the trail is a difficult trail ideal for advanced riders only. The trail restricts e-bikes which we find unbelievable because the trail is excellent and has perfect range. A considerable section of the trail is on the east side of Mt. Umunhum and is pretty much shaded in the afternoon. The shade makes summer rides ideal. The surface is primarily singletrack with a lot of challenging climbs.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

There and Back Again trail network begins with the path up Mine Hill trail. Consider the path a good warm-up for what is coming. Ride the path all the way to the English camp, then climb the gentle slope to the Yellow Kid trail before descending the Wood Road trail. There is a steep climb right after the first downhill section on the Wood Road trail.

Ride up to the parking lot at the bottom of Wood Road trail, then cross Hicks and continue on the trail. The e-bike restriction begins at this point. The first section of the Woods trail is eazy-pizzy as it is primarily flat and downhill for a mile before it starts rising. Moreover, it is well-shaded in the afternoons as it is on the East side of Mt. Umumhum.

The woods trail becomes a tough climb right after Rincon Creek. The climb grows steeper the more you see the sun. Plus, the section has loose rocks and gravel that require technical tact. From this point, the next mile is much steeper, with a 21% grade. We recommend walking if you can’t handle the rocks.

The final mile is right after the most technical bit and is a sweet 8% grade gentle climb with spectacular views. Ride up to the top of Mt. El Sombroso for epic views. The descent from this point is amazing. It is one hell of a long distance so you can take breaks. Plus, some turns below can be muddy even during summer and are easy to slip on at the slowest speed.

If you take enough breaks and enjoy everything the trail comes with, including the scenic views, you will complete the loop in 2 hours.

Additional Trail Features

• Rincon Creek.
• Restrooms at the start of the trail and near the Wood trail.
• The English camp.
• Umunhum shadow on the second section of the trail.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

The There and Back Again is rich in scenic views and interesting sights. You can stop at the historical English camp near the central Quicksilver Park. Initially, it was a town for miners and their families in the 19th century and later occupied by firefighters in the 20^th century. The camp has a few ghostly buildings and a memorial for the Civilian Conservation Corps firefighters.

The top of Mot. El Sombroso also offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

Recommendations/Precautions

• Carry plenty of drinking water during summer as some of the trail’s sections are exposed and can get hot.
• Ensure you are fit enough for the technical challenges on the loop.
• You can walk through tricky parts with loose rock and gravel if you feel you have no traction.