7 Up Trail #5

Trail 5 departs from Trail 6 on a very narrow and exposed trail cutting across the hillside. The trail is covered in lots of small, loose baby head-sized rocks that ping you around. Riders should be cautious of moderate exposure as it descends down from Trail 6. It has a couple switchbacks to descend off of Hyde Mountain that are tight and steep with a few embedded rock layers. After this descent, it widens up near the intersection with 9825 into what looks more like a two-track for a segment, until the intersection with Corral Road. It goes west at the intersection with Corral Road by the fence line, and then becomes narrow, rocky, and difficult again. There are a few steep climbs that are full of loose rock, plus a few more technical switchbacks, climbing up this time. There is one steep climb with bigger boulders in the route that you have to ride between. It’s difficult to maintain momentum and traction in this type of terrain. You’ll have to go through a couple of cattle gates throughout the route. The last part of the trail is a bit easier with less rock and a mellower grade, curving between the pine trees.