Fun XC singletrack in the Greenhorns. The once beautiful classic is still recovering from the 2016 Cedar Fire, but still very popular and improving constantly.
 Beautiful forested scenery on the Portuguese Pass Trail. |
THE STATS
Section South of Portuguese Pass:
- 6 mi singletrack/12-14.3 mi loop.
- 1900 feet of climbing/drop.
- Loop Ride.
Section North of Portuguese Pass:
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A wonderful unburned section of singletrack. North Portuguese Trail near the north end, June 2022.
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UPDATE! June 15, 2022. Mountain bikers have cleared the entire trail, including the north side of the pass! The upper sections near Sunday Peak and on the north side of Portuguese Pass Trail are riding great! Watch out for the lowest section, however. The cows are hanging out and have completely pulverized the tread; it is super loose. A trail machine recently went through the area as well, and put in a switchback in the final steep climb. This should all improve after some rain. It's probably best to skip the final section or ride the road.
The 2016 Cedar Fire still claimed numerous trees along the route, so it is certainly still sunnier and more exposed.
Many riders also ride the Sand Shed Trail to/from Portuguese, which also has a new entrance and a trail machine working on it. It is clear and ready to ride as well.
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| The meadow below Sunday Peak Trail, June 2022 |
NOTE! The Sequoia National Forest land north of Portuguese Trail remains closed due to recent fires. The boundary is near Bull Run Pass and includes Bull Run Pass Trail and Tobias Trail.
2021: The trail has been getting a lot of much needed love lately. It probably is the best its been since the 2016 Cedar Fire.
NOTE: A few cows are cruising around, and a lot of dirt bikes have been riding lately. |
On the Trail...
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| Feeling that groove! |
Traversing the mountains between Greenhorn and Portuguese Passes, this trail (31E59) is a favorite Spring/Summer/Fall ride for local mountain bikers.
Forested with cedar, pine, and mature black oaks, the trail conditions are usually excellent.
The most common ride involves pedalling 7 miles up the dirt Portuguese Pass Road (24S15) to Portuguese Pass. From this high point at the pavement (23S18), bikers ride the singletrack back, or continue on North Portuguese Pass Trail.
Motorcycles are allowed on the trail, and have played a big part in creating sections of the fast flowy singletrack that stoke mountain bikers.
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| Lush Meadows below the Sunday Peak Tr. |
However, the motos don't seem to mind a few steeper uphill sections, that human-powered recreationalists must work so hard for. While these climbs are all short and quick, don't expect the singletrack to be all downhill. The trail still requires plenty of pedalling!
The ride can start at the Greenhorn Summit Sand Shed, or 1 1/2 miles down dirt road 24S15. There is a dirt parking area on the left near the bottom of signed Portuguese singletrack, 31E59, and across from the dirt road 25S11 known as Greenhorn East Road.
Portuguese Pass is 7.1 miles from the Sand Shed. While many people turn around here, the trail continues to the north and adds some high quality mileage to any ride.
NOTE: A few years ago, the USFS re-routed the end of the ride (southern side): its great singletrack now except for a lame hike-a-bike. Some bikers are veering off on a high-use cow trail that briefly follows an old skid trail. Its to the right at the bottom of the hike-a-bike. It contours back to the main trail after bypassing the hike-a-bike.
Trail Options
Portuguese North (a.k.a. Portuguese Extension) : If you're looking for additional singletrack mileage, the trail continues on the north side of Portuguese Pass for a couple miles. As of 2019, this trail is in excellent condition for mountain biking!
This northern trail can be ridden as an out-n-back or looped with Sugarloaf Road, 23S18. This is one of the routes leading to Tobias Trail.
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Enjoying sweet High Sierra singletrack at 7400 ft. |
Bull Run Pass Trail Loop Addition:
For a much bigger ride, keep riding past Portuguese Pass to Bull Run Pass. This loop adds 10.7 miles and over 1200 feet of climbing to the traditional Portuguese Pass ride. See also Portuguese/Bull Run Pass Trail Loop. (25 Mile Loop possible with 3100+ ft elevation gain).
Loop with Upper Tobias Creek Trail
Similar to the ride mentioned above, many local cross country bikers create a partial loop with the Upper section of Tobias Trail and Sugarloaf Road. This can also be done with the Pup Meadow Trail to the north.
Sunday Peak Trail: An out 'n' back to Sunday Peak (8296 ft), adds about 3.5 miles to the usual ride. A must-see panorama view follows a steep climb (some hike-a-biking). The descent is pure awesomeness. Watch for hikers!
More: The ride up to Portuguese Pass has some nice options.
Instead of going up the main dirt road, 24S15, biking up the trail is an option. The steep southernmost segment of singletrack can be skipped by taking a detour up the dirt road 25S28. Most of the singletrack is ridable uphill, but it certainly requires a lot more effort (especially in the northern half).
Another possibility is to take the beautiful Greenhorn East Road, 25S11.
This connects back to 24S15 after a few miles, and it continues all the way to the paved 23S16 for a much bigger loop.
Elevation Profile: Loop to Portuguese Pass from Greenhorn Summit Sandshed
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| On the North Side singletrack. |
Escaping the mid summer heat. |
More Riding Possibilities
Portuguese Pass Trail Northside is here.
Go bigger: Ride to Frog Meadow and do the upper Tobias Trail. Also, a side trip up to the Tobias Peak Lookout adds 1.8 miles each way and 650 feet of climbing.
Also big: Tack on the new Portuguese/Bull Run Pass Trail Loop for a great 25 mile loop.
Even bigger: Add on the Unal Trail.
Huge: Loop the top 3 sections of Just Outstanding, Unal, and Portuguese Pass Trails. Or ride Portuguese Pass Trail to the bottom of Tobias Trail.
Supersize: All the above with Tobias Trail to Whiskey Flat to Kernville!.
Trailhead
From Wofford Heights, drive up the 155 to Greenhorn Summit (about 7 miles). The ride can start at the Sand Shed, or 1 1/2 miles down dirt road 24S15. There is a dirt parking area on the left near the bottom of signed Portuguese singletrack, 31E59, and across from the dirt road 25S11 known as Greenhorn East Road.
Nearby Activities
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