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Sand Canyon is a fast
and steep ride with a great deal of vertical descent. The
ride is located on a 4WD road east of Rock Creek Road on a bench below Wheeler
Crest. It travels through varying gnarly terrain, including rocks, sand,
hard-packed dirt, roots, and silt. Riders must be prepared for rapidly
changing terrain. Don't try this ride if you are not accustomed to
severe off-road conditions.
Sand Canyon starts at Rock Creek Lake (9,700 feet). Begin by entering the forest service gate directly across from the campground manager, not at the Tamarack Trailhead. You will travel through a number of privately-owned cabins. At the top of the cabin road is a fork. Go left. You will eventually meet up with the Tamarack Trail from the lake. Continue climbing. The first mile + involves carrying or pushing your bike for much of it. Eventually the trail will widen and become sandy. You will see a trail head off to the east to Dorothy, Francis, and Tamarack Lakes. Continue going straight (north) looking for the Sand Canyon sign for confirmation. The trail passes through a meadow, eventually meeting the 4WD road. A small lake is only a couple hundred yards up (south) from this fork. It's a good place to relax before beginning the descent. You have two smaller climbs from this point, then the downhill begins. You will end up at Swall Meadows in Lower Rock Creek after dropping over 3,000 vertical feet. Park your car at the Swall Meadows Road/Lower Rock Creek Road Junction to end your ride here, or climb the hill on Lower Rock Creek Road and down the other side to the creek crossing to combine Sand Canyon and Lower Rock Creek into one insane ride! If you choose to combine the two, park your car at Paradise Camp/Lodge (see Lower Rock Creek).
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