From the trail head, the trail starts on single track through the woods, and frequently borders the lake. This single track session lasts for about 5 miles, and criss-crosses a horse trail. The horse trails are not open to bikes, and are clearly marked, so there should be no problem there.
After about four miles, right after a bridge spanning Park Creek, you will come to a cross roads. If you go right, you will come to a nice waterfall, and pool. This is a good place to take a cool dip on hot days, the pool is MUCH cooler than the lake! If you go straight at the cross roads, you will find a half mile fire road climb, rewarded by a fast fire road downhill with a couple of fun jumps. If a left is taken at the cross roads, you will take a rolling single track trail, which meets up with the fire road after about a mile.
Once trails meet up, you enter into the main park area, at the Hazel Creek campground. At this point, the trail goes in and out of the various campgrounds, and is in part single track, double track, and occasionally on the paved road. Keep an eye open for trail signs, as you go in and out of these sections. They are all marked, but it is easy to miss a turn, and have to retrace your route a little bit.
I usually camp here several times a year, and stay at the Hazel Creek campground. This allows me to start at the single track, and ride the trail backwards, and make it an out-and-back, with single track the whole way, instead of a loop.
 | Fleming Meadows |   | 8 mi |
| Jenkinson Lake Loop | | 8 mi |
Awesome trail, but tree down midway through the loop. Be careful if you ride clockwise and not the preferred counter clockwise direction [speed] August 8...
| ThankSly / trail 8 / Flemming Meadows is a great quick loamy flow. Green trail, but a good amount of climbing.
| ThankLove this little XC trail. Fun Blue/Green rip. Currently tree down on back of loop.
| ThankAlso 8b is a out and back--- up. :D Worth it though...
| ThankGreat ride but ;)
| Thanksigns could be better. More than a few crossings that aren't signed. Gps really helps.
Very fun trail. I like to start at the sign just past the second dam and ride it counter clockwise. I've ridden it both ways but cc seems to have better flow. A few people mention "brutal" climbs, but I would have to disagree. Don't get me wrong there is some long climbs but nothing I would say is too steep ( and I'm a 50 plus guy). Great bombing downhills are the payoff for the climbs and nothing to technical. Great to combine with the other nearby trails for some more mileage. Enjoy!!
| Thank2/13/16.
| ThankThe trail conditions are perfect. We rode 8.8 miles 1362 ft. It's quite a work out unless your a good climber, which I'm not. I'd stay on 8 unless your familiar with the others. I hear the others 8a, 8b and c if there is one takes you straight down to the river and the climb back up can be brutal.
Fun single track and some paved (if you do the loop)
| ThankJust rode the trail on 7/18/2015. The trail is in good shape. Water level in the lake is fine. Bring non-biking family members along. They can play in the lake while you take advantage of the trail.
| ThankRode the trail on July 18, 2015. The trail is in good condition. Water level in the lake is decent. It was really low last winter but it is up now for summer recreation.
If you have non-biking family members, this is a great place to take them along with you. They can hang out at one of day use areas and enjoy the water while you take advantage of the trail.
| ThankGreat trail east of Sacramento about 30 miles. About 8.5 mile loop. We road it CCW, from the main lot on the east side of the 2nd dam.
| ThankThe SE side can be a bit gnarly in spots, with some roots and steep, short climbs. But once around that, the trail is pretty tame.
Be observant once you start getting to the north side, because the trail goes "paved" once you get into the campground. Watch for the "trail" arrows painted on the pavement; this will direct you on/off the paved road, and back on the trail itself. We made a few wrong moves early on, because we didn't see that on a review from mtbproject.com. (IMBA site)
Amazingly 630 vertical feet of climbing, but it is in very small spurts, so no big deal.
Most of the trail is quite smooth, and almost beginner level. Wife enjoyed it once we got past the gnarly area.
Easy access off Hwy 50.
Take trail 8 from fleming meadows staging area. 8b is an amazing trail it ends at a creek in a canyon that is the most beautiful place ive ever been. good speed and keeps nice and cool. Take trail 8B!!
| ThankJust rode the trail for the first time since the end of summer and the wind storm that went through the area a few weeks ago has left a lot of debris on the trail. But I have to say, for me, it made the trail even more fun! This trail has good flow and is a blast to ride....enjoy!
| ThankWhat a kick ass trail. Talked to 5 local riders who told me to ride 8 trail counter-clockwise for the most fun. They were right! About a 2 mile climb followed by almost 3 miles of mainly killer downhill. Not very technical so its fun for most riders. At around 7 1/2 miles in there's some more really great downhill. Going again tomorrow and looking for some side trails to throw in
| ThankRode Sly Park for the first time this year. Trail is in good condition. I just wish they would build some options to skip some of the riding through the campsites.
| ThankThis is a pretty fun loop with great views of the lake. It can get pretty stop and go though with all of the extra foot traffic from hikers, horses and other bikers. It also has some spots that are pretty technical. The trail across of the main boat launch is the more technical side with a lot of quick up and downs. As you near the main camp grounds the trail gets a lot easier.
| ThankThis is a great trail system. The downhill parts are pretty intense with grueling up hill returns but it well worth it. There are quite a few smaller loops and out and back trails that can make your trip as interesting and challenging as you would like. Get there early in late Spring-early Fall as it gets pretty hot and you can get dehydrated very easily. There are parts that require a lot of technical skill and others that need nothing more than grit or you will be hike and biking quite a bit. It is a good trail for all experience levels bc of the many options. Quite of bit of hikers and horse back riders from mid morning on.
| ThankVery scenic trail. Multi-Use so watch for runners, hikers and horses. Lots of roots all climbs are short. Great beginners loop.
| ThankA great number of different rides are possible in this area. From dirt road to single track, easy to moderately technical, gradual grades to serious climbs, this area has it all! It all depends which direction you ride and which route(s) you choose. I'd feel very comfortable taking a beginning rider in this area and choosing the appropriate ride.
There are two possible places to park. 1st is alongside Mormon Emigrant Rd (AKA Iron Mountain Rd and Sliver Lake Rd) just past the second dam (if travelling EB on Mormon Emigrant from Sly Park Rd). There is a trail map posted at this entrance but no paper maps are available for you to take with you. The Main trail Head parking area is accessed by Blue Gouge Rd. Their is a large trail map posted here and the USFS keeps plenty of paper (take along) maps stocked.
Pay close attention to the trail ratings. Trails marked 'More Difficult' may result in a beginner or less strong biker having to hike a bike for part of the trail but the 'Most Difficult' rides can easily overwhelm someone not quite ready for a serious challenge.
The trail is well marked at all crossroads and intersections so it is very easy to stay on your chosen trail. You will share your trail with equestrians and hikers. A horse trailer or two parked in the Blue Gouge parking area is a sure sign that there be horses somewhere on the trail, all though it is possible with the trail configuration that you'll never come across them or anyone else!
| ThankBumpy Meadows is the El Dorado Irrigation District trail which goes around Sly Park Reservoir, also known as Jenkinson Lake. You can access the Bumpy Meadows trailhead from Mormon Emmigrant Trail Rd (past the second dam) parking is $5.00 0R park on Mormon Emmigrant and ride in for free!
Part of the trail goes through camp grounds and is a fairly easy ride. The singletrack portion of this ride is true singletrack and not for beginners in more than a few areas.
Logging in the area has made for some 'interesting' riding. It is easy to lose the trail in the first couple of miles from the Bumpy Meadows Trailhead due to the recent logging but this is also some of the most fun riding! There are some steep downgrades with loose granite rock so exercise caution....you don't want to hit these sections blind which can happen!
The trail condition has deteriorated and needs some maintenance. It is definitely no longer a 'beginners' trail in some areas. I'll be riding the section from the Bumpy Meadows trailhead to the falls and back as an out and back on my next ride and will post more photos then. This seems to be the part of the trail that most 'air' people like. * Review edited 8/1/2012* Review edited 8/1/2012* Review edited 8/5/2012
| Thank