Route Guide - HSB to Mordor
A fun and unique intermediate level route designed to prepare riders for the infamous "Mordor" section of the Smoke 'n' Fire 400 race (SNF). First ridden by IWBP in June of 2021.
Overview
This ride is designed to be a 2 day / 1 night loop.
Total route: 93 Miles and 10,600ft.
Terrain: Nearly all gravel and two-track, with just a handful of paved miles.
Recommended bike and tires: Nearly any gravel or mountain bike will do. Wider tires will be appreciated through Mordor.
Difficulty *
Climbing scale 7/10 (113 feet per mile).
Technical scale 4/10. Mordor has unmaintained, overgrown, and soft sections. Beware of surprise water bars that have claimed at least one collarbone! Otherwise, you’ll be on maintained gravel with nothing technical beyond possible areas of deeper / looser gravel.
Physical demand 5/10. Route is designed for intermediate riders to complete in 2 days.
Resupply and Logistics 4/10. The route is a loop. Some stretches without water. Food and resupply options as noted below. The main logistical challenge is navigating through Mordor. Every year on SNF experienced racers get off track here — we would recommend a solid navigation device that you’re used to using, and backup downloaded track/maps on a phone.
Day 1
Begin from Horseshoe Bend (HSB) on Harris Creek Rd, ascending right away to Harris Creek Summit. Then onward to Centerville (no services) and up and over Grimes Creek Pass to Garden Valley.
Camp Suggestion
The Hot Springs Campground is a couple miles off the route, on Hwy 17, and is a great place to camp and soak (pack a swimsuit!). The campground has pit toilets and potable water.
Day 2
Ride to the Garden Valley Chevron or all the way into Crouch to refuel. The segment between Garden Valley and Placerville is on the Smoke 'n' Fire 400 race. It’s remote, uniquely beautiful, and twisty-turny. Your navigation skills may be put to the test here! Have lunch in Placerville, then proceed back up and over Harris Creek to HSB.
Food
Resupply options in Garden Valley / Crouch and Placerville. Verify operating hours before starting. The Garden Valley Chevron is a well stocked gas station with a Subway. In Placerville, My Place (formerly known as Donna’s) is smaller and has limited selection. They have many snack foods, canned foods, and microwavable single serve meals in the back.
Water
Bring a water filter and carrying capacity of 3-4 liters. Water is plentiful along much of the route but not in between Garden Valley and Placerville. You’ll want to buy your water in the Placerville — avoid filtering water in that old mining town area.
Route Links
Misc.
Cell service will unavailable for most of this route.
Bikepacking can be strenuous and dangerous. You ride at your own risk.
Please practice the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
* Difficulty ratings are modeled after bikepacking.com's system. Ratings are somewhat subjective, and can change based on weather, individual fitness and abilities, and other environmental factors. We welcome input on ratings.