Very entertaining little trail network close to town. There are nice cross country segments, both through open areas and in very deep, dark woods. Plenty of optional features to hit, both man made and natural, For those looking for flow, Upper Drain has some of the finest berms you will ever lay knobbies on.
Bear Basin has a great layout with lots of smaller loops that connect to each other. None of the trails are long but by linking several of them together you can make the ride as long or short as you want. Signs are placed at all the junctions to help you find your way. Getting lost is still possible, however once you find one of the main trails such as Grand Traverse it's simple to find your way back.
With the exception of Upper and Lower Drain none of the trails are really technical. Even the Drains are super fun and flowey. Meandering through Sleepy Hollow is a little spooky because even during the day it has places where very little sunlight reaches the ground. With such a thick canopy you kind of feel like you are riding through a tunnel at times. Other trails offer more open views and some even have Vistas of the distant mountains.
Since Bear Basin is not super technical or difficult try adding a different twist. Riding it at night! Obviously with appropriate lights. Trails like Sleepy Hollow take on a whole new personality in the dark. Be sure to stop and sit quietly for a few minutes just to listen to the woodland creatures. It will amaze you how many are out there and how close they are.
The first reviewer rode a trail climbing up Brundage Mtn. The real Bear Basin trails is all in a trail network with a trailhead off King's Pines Rd from Hwy 55. Great family trails to get everyone stoked on riding. Upper and Lower Drain trails form 1 nice gravity/flow trail with tight berms and jumps. Nice little pump track too. This is a primarily a flowing set of XC trails that make for a really fun afternoon or afterwork ride. Must stop if driving through McCall
Bear Basin is a single track trail system that has been developed by the USFS and CIMBA near McCall, ID. The area features two flow trails, a pump track and around 15 miles of beginner to intermediate XC single track with enough variety and features to make it interesting for a variety of riders. The access is near the Little Ski Hill at the Bear Basin Trailhead sign west of McCall on Hwy 55. There is also a Bear Basin sign at the corner of Forest Rd. 451(1.5 miles before Bear Basin Trailhead sign) that will take you on a 7 mile climb to the top of the Brundage Mountain Ski area lift served trails or to the top of the 6.5 mile downhill of the Backside Moto Trail partially described in the other review. On this road you also pass the Stealth Trails which offer some more unoffical trail fun on state land and the Payette Rim trails which is multi use trail overlooking Payette Lake. There are a variety of old roads and single track trails that start in the Bear Basin area(don't be afraid to explore) most of which can be found on the Central Idaho Adventure Map of trails. The map is available at Gravity Sports and the HUB outdoor center in McCall. Additional info on area trails can be found at the McCall Ranger District office on Lake St in McCall.* Review edited 4/30/2012* Review edited 4/30/2012* Review edited 4/30/2012
This was a dirt road climb from Bear Basin up the back side and to the top of Brundage Ski Resort, followed by short and sweet sections of less traveled single track.
We started at Bear Basin on FR451 and pedaled a forgiving dirt road up moderate grade for 5 miles to the 451-456 junction. We took FR456 to the top of Brundage Mountain Ski resort for another mile and excellent fall views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. We returned to the junction via 456, then took fresh single track (tr11 AKA Brundage Moto) down a 2.5 mile stretch of relatively new singletrack back to FR451. We then went downhill for about 1/2 mile to the beginning of the Payette Rim Trail, which starts out as a double track. We then took the first bit of single track, which was crowded by trees and had a few small jumps and also turned out to be a lark as it was only 1/4 mile before we were back at FR451. We decided that was too short, so returned went back up FR451 to the same exit and road it out longer until we found the actual Payette Rim Trail, which had a few creek crossings and eventually steered us through a logging area and back to 451 again. Total trip was 16 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain/loss.* Review edited 10/16/2011
A: The trails are usually open, but as always try to avoid the real muddy areas. The west face generally has more clay and bad mud, but it dries out faster too. Sometimes the trails are closed in spring until it dries out.
Very entertaining little trail network close to town. There are nice cross country segments, both through open areas and in very deep, dark woods. Plenty of optional features to hit, both man made and natural, For those looking for flow, Upper Drain has some of the finest berms you will ever lay knobbies on.
| ThankBear Basin has a great layout with lots of smaller loops that connect to each other. None of the trails are long but by linking several of them together you can make the ride as long or short as you want. Signs are placed at all the junctions to help you find your way. Getting lost is still possible, however once you find one of the main trails such as Grand Traverse it's simple to find your way back.
| ThankWith the exception of Upper and Lower Drain none of the trails are really technical. Even the Drains are super fun and flowey. Meandering through Sleepy Hollow is a little spooky because even during the day it has places where very little sunlight reaches the ground. With such a thick canopy you kind of feel like you are riding through a tunnel at times. Other trails offer more open views and some even have Vistas of the distant mountains.
Since Bear Basin is not super technical or difficult try adding a different twist. Riding it at night! Obviously with appropriate lights. Trails like Sleepy Hollow take on a whole new personality in the dark. Be sure to stop and sit quietly for a few minutes just to listen to the woodland creatures. It will amaze you how many are out there and how close they are.
Ditto on all the previous comments and the downhill bobsled is exceptionally well done; almost no brakes required. A must ride in MCC!
| ThankThe first reviewer rode a trail climbing up Brundage Mtn. The real Bear Basin trails is all in a trail network with a trailhead off King's Pines Rd from Hwy 55. Great family trails to get everyone stoked on riding. Upper and Lower Drain trails form 1 nice gravity/flow trail with tight berms and jumps. Nice little pump track too. This is a primarily a flowing set of XC trails that make for a really fun afternoon or afterwork ride. Must stop if driving through McCall
| ThankBear Basin is a single track trail system that has been developed by the USFS and CIMBA near McCall, ID. The area features two flow trails, a pump track and around 15 miles of beginner to intermediate XC single track with enough variety and features to make it interesting for a variety of riders. The access is near the Little Ski Hill at the Bear Basin Trailhead sign west of McCall on Hwy 55. There is also a Bear Basin sign at the corner of Forest Rd. 451(1.5 miles before Bear Basin Trailhead sign) that will take you on a 7 mile climb to the top of the Brundage Mountain Ski area lift served trails or to the top of the 6.5 mile downhill of the Backside Moto Trail partially described in the other review. On this road you also pass the Stealth Trails which offer some more unoffical trail fun on state land and the Payette Rim trails which is multi use trail overlooking Payette Lake. There are a variety of old roads and single track trails that start in the Bear Basin area(don't be afraid to explore) most of which can be found on the Central Idaho Adventure Map of trails. The map is available at Gravity Sports and the HUB outdoor center in McCall. Additional info on area trails can be found at the McCall Ranger District office on Lake St in McCall.* Review edited 4/30/2012* Review edited 4/30/2012* Review edited 4/30/2012
| ThankThis was a dirt road climb from Bear Basin up the back side and to the top of Brundage Ski Resort, followed by short and sweet sections of less traveled single track.
We started at Bear Basin on FR451 and pedaled a forgiving dirt road up moderate grade for 5 miles to the 451-456 junction. We took FR456 to the top of Brundage Mountain Ski resort for another mile and excellent fall views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. We returned to the junction via 456, then took fresh single track (tr11 AKA Brundage Moto) down a 2.5 mile stretch of relatively new singletrack back to FR451. We then went downhill for about 1/2 mile to the beginning of the Payette Rim Trail, which starts out as a double track. We then took the first bit of single track, which was crowded by trees and had a few small jumps and also turned out to be a lark as it was only 1/4 mile before we were back at FR451. We decided that was too short, so returned went back up FR451 to the same exit and road it out longer until we found the actual Payette Rim Trail, which had a few creek crossings and eventually steered us through a logging area and back to 451 again. Total trip was 16 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain/loss.* Review edited 10/16/2011
| Thank