Clear Creek / Five Spot Loop

Bicycling, Wine Tasting and more in El Dorado County, California

Bike Rides

Level of Difficulty: Light to Moderate (900' total climbing)
Riding Time: 1 hour	Printable Area Map: Clear Creek/Five Spot Loop (Adobe Acrobat required)
Season to Ride: Late Spring through Fall

Description: Clear Creek Rd is probably one of the most beautiful roads in El Dorado County. Small, quiet and follows very close to the creek through old growth forest, it's a road that even bike racers will slow down to enjoy. This is a great ride on hot summer days, the canyon is definitely the coolest place in the area (conversely, it's the coldest place in Winter!). As you leave the canyon on Five Spot Rd, the Cedar forests give way to Oak trees, and the cool canyon temperatures disappear. Still, the climb is not long, and you are rewarded with local views, and then a nice descent down to Starks Grade. Here you can loop back to the start (this ride), or join with the Starks Grade Loop ride for more hill climbing.

Miles	Directions
0.0	Start at corner of E16 and Pleasant Valley Rd. Head East on Sly Park Rd. (If you are standing on E16 looking at Pleasant Valley Rd, you would turn Right).
1.1	Turn Left on Clear Creek (before creek bridge).
3.3	Turn Left on Five Spot Rd. Begin climb out of canyon.
4.0	Top of hill. Continue straight, start steep descent.
4.5	Five Spot Rd ends. Turn Left onto Starks Grade Rd.
6.8	Starks Grade Rd ends. Turn Left onto Newtown Rd.
7.2	Newtown Rd ends. Turn Left onto Pleasant Valley Rd (heavier traffic here)
8.2	Ride ends at Pleasant Valley and E16 Highway.