CABDR-North Route Updates
Updated August 18, 2026
Join our Facebook Group for more route updates.
Visit the official CABDR-North Facebook Group page for ride reports, photos, and discussions with other riders in your area HERE
Before You Ride: Important Reminders
Throughout the riding season, changing conditions are part of every BDR adventure.
Plan ahead, ride respectfully, and follow the BDR Tenets of Responsible Travel to help ensure a safe trip while respecting local communities and protecting access for everyone.
- Download the latest GPS tracks before your trip. Printed maps and older tracks may not reflect recent route changes. The current GPS tracks are always considered the latest version of the route.
- Check Route Updates for seasonal closures and beware of fast-changing road conditions before you go. There may be lingering snow and impassible conditions in the early season and deep sand in the summer.
- Please respect all gates and closures. Never ride around them.
- Expect downed trees early in the season. Carry a folding saw if you have one, know the official bypasses, and be prepared to turn around and create your own bypass if conditions are unsafe.
- Monitor wildfire conditions. Use the BDR Interactive Map HERE to check the wildfire activity layer and tools like the onX Offroad wildfire and smoke layers to monitor changing conditions.
- Join your route’s official BDR Facebook group for current rider reports and local updates.
- Ride Right, Ride Respectfully, Yield to Animals and Know Your Limits
We often receive reports of riders speeding, not riding right, and blocking roadways in residential areas.
Please be courteous, respect local communities, and remember that adventuring in the backcountry is a privilege, not a right. Be an ambassador for our sport and help preserve access for future riders.
Doing a little homework before you leave and making good decisions on the trail helps ensure a safe trip while protecting the future of the BDRs for everyone.
August 17, 2026 (UPDATED August 18th)
New Tracks Available for Download
A new version of the tracks is available labeled CABDR-N-August2026-v2:
SECTION 3:
- Potentially long-term gated closures are in place on Tiger Creek/Salt Springs and a bypass is required.
- A bypass track is included, which takes Hwy88 from Buckhorn to join Panther Creek Road and rejoin the main route.
SECTION 4: (This bypass track has been removed in this v2 track version and is no longer required. Forest closures lifted.)
- The Talbot Fire is burning near French Meadows Reservoir and a significant bypass is required.
- At this time, riders are advised to take pavement from Kyburz to Truckee. The USFS has closed this area of the forest and this region is bordered by wilderness boundary with no other logical bypass options.
- Riders can still access Uncle Tom’s cabin from the south, then backtrack to Kyburz.
- This bypass track is included in the August track file and is 70 miles and includes stunning scenery along Lake Tahoe.
- Riders are urged to avoid the fire area and let crews do their work and locals to evacuate as needed.
See attached screenshots for reference.
Purchase the official map for the CABDR-N HERE
Always download the latest version of the GPS tracks just before you go HERE
March 4th, 2024
Section 7 Mileage
If you plan to ride CAN7 ALT Harder – Little Valley on section 7 and not go into Bieber, there are a few considerations regarding fuel:
- It is approximately 154 miles from Chester to Adin if you ride the optional sections. Adin is 7.5mi off-route, you’ll need to ride into town.
- Fuel is available in Westwood just outside of Chester, so Westwood to Adin is approx 141 miles.
- If you ride all the way from Chester to Alturas, and don’t get fuel in Westwood or Adin, it’s approx 188 mi from Chester to Alturas.
- Always plan your fuel stops accordingly and carry extra fuel if you are unsure of your range. Never pass gas on a BDR!
- See attached screenshot for reference.
- Read through the detailed section descriptions and FAQ’s before you go HERE
- Join the official CABDR-N Facebook Group Page to connect with riders and watch for real-time status reports HERE
March 5th, 2024
CABDR-N Expert Sections
For the first time since Lockhart Basin on UTBDR, we have reintroduced designated optional Expert Sections on the Northern California BDR.
These particular sections are considered more difficult than other ALT Harder sections on this or any other route, and should be attempted by highly experienced riders only.
These sections are remote and challenging. Be prepared with fuel, water, tire repair, first aid, SOS devices, and other supplies should you have an issue. Emergency response to these areas will by time consuming and challenging, Know Your Limits.
- CAN2 ALT Expert – Sweetwater Loop is a 27mi track featuring very remote backcountry travel, steep hills, loose and embedded rocks, and a long stretch through a deep sand wash. The road from the main route to Lobdell Lake is fairly mellow if you wish to ride and primitive camp near the lake, then backtrack to the main route.
- CAN2 ALT Expert – Mount Patterson Summit is 9.5mi to the summit and back, and is very steep, rocky, loose, with tight switchbacks and narrow roads. If you ride this and don’t want to continue on the Sweetwater Loop, you can backtrack south to the main route.
- CAN5 ALT Harder – Sierra Buttes is 14.5mi, and north of Sierra City is narrow, steep, and rocky up to the turnoff to Sierra Buttes. The road mellows out north from there to rejoin the main route.
- CAN5 ALT Expert – Sierra Buttes Trailhead is 2.1 miles to the trailhead parking and back and is steep, narrow, with embedded rocks and ruts. The GPS track ends at the parking area where you can hike 3/4mi to the lookout tower. The road does continue from here, and is very steep, exposed cliff edges, rocky, and tight switchbacks and should only be attempted by highly skilled riders.
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