Connecting Silver to Basin trail is an amazing ride and worth the climb - even when you have to push your bike a little on Basin going uphill or over a few rocks to get to the second lake - it's worth the views and the downhill! Bring a full suspension bike for this trail, you'll want it.
Silver departs heading uphill. Be sure NOT to take the jeep road after the first little climb, it veers left, head straight through the trail head! Continue on the trail, following the Loop 4 signage. This is 2.5 miles of moderate uphill and some technical sections. You'll see a sign that points you to Basin Lakes at about this point. Turn left on the trail. This is the out and back. Climb 4 miles to the lakes. The first lake is about 3 miles, second lake is 4 miles - more technical but worth the view. The downhill back is epic and will make you forget the grueling uphill. Upon your return to the bottom of the Basin trail, turn right to connect back to Silver. At the Basin/Silver intersection, turn left, and you'll continue on fun downhill singletrack (a little more mellow than the Basin downhill) back to the trailhead. Silver is a loop if you don't want to do Basin Lakes, and will be about 5 miles. Basin is what makes this ride my favorite back door trail ride.
This is a fun trail, not buttery smooth, as gooch-busting babyheads abound. The climb to basin lakes is endlessly up and technical, so it was mostly hike-a-bike. The rocky downhill is pretty sweet though, and along with the views is the reason I would give it 4 stars.
| ThankSilver Run is a great little piece of trail. As noted previously, things get tougher as you go up in the loops. This is a particularly good route for intermediates through the first two loops as there are plenty of rock features, but the trail is wide--so you have the option to ride over or around them giving everyone a level of challenge appropriate to them. Loops 3 and 4 have some extended rock gardens that will frustrate an intermediate. As for the climb to Basin Lakes, it's nothing short of relentless and brutal (most will walk quite a bit of it and all will walk some of it), but the woods are gorgeous and the scenery up top fantastic--and then the downhill is definitely something to write home about. Definitely recommended for the strong and adventurous.
| ThankThis trail offers something for riders of any ability -- as far as terrain, steepness and length. Young or beginning riders can do the first loop of the Silver Run trail -- or all the way to the Basin intersection counter clockwise. Another option for young riders is the Basin trailhead down to the Silver Run trailhead. Those looking for technical ride with killer downhills will love the full ride. Looking for an easy 1-2 hour ride? Hit the loops of Silver Run. Looking for technical climb? Ride to Basin Lake. Killer downhills -- I agree -- worth the climb!
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