Mother Lode Epic - Schedule

Race Day Schedule

This is a point-to-point stage race from Magnolia Trailhead to Historic Folsom. The full course including transfers is 41 miles, with 32 miles of racing. All racers should park in Historic Folsom and catch the shuttle to the start line (included in your race entry fee). The shuttle leaves at 6:45 am SHARP.

2025 COURSE UPDATES

Mother Lode Epic is now five stages! In order to return to the original route after the boat transfer, we’re getting more epic while increasing safety at the same time. We still make Granite Bay hard, but now that part of the race is broken into two smaller stages allowing for safer crossings of the day use access roads, and an extra chance to cool off or replenish electrolytes so you make it to the party in Folsom. We’ll keep most of the 2024 stage 3 route with the longer distance, which makes the overall race more dynamic with two eight mile stages, an 11 mile stage and two 3.5 mile stages to finish it off. Who will keep their legs fresh enough for the final sprint to Beals Point?

Click here for the full Strava route.

Stage 3 will be at the same start location near the aid station in Salmon Falls ranch, which keeps everyone close to the action and shade over riders waiting to start. We’ll keep the route from 2024 in play (pending completion of a new Chaparral Ridge climbing trail) until the end, where we’ll resume the 2023 route to the finish line by the Peninsula entrance kiosk.
Transfer 3 will go back to the short 2023 route from the Peninsula entrance kiosk to the day use boat launch used in years prior to 2024.
The Boat Transfer is back to the original! From Peninsula to Doton Point.
Stage 4 is now approximately 4 miles, on the twisty North Granite Bay singletrack and finishing just before the Granite Beach day use area.
Transfer 4 takes riders through the Granite Beach day use and launch ramp areas following the original MLE route, just not under race conditions.
Stage 5 starts at the base of the water tower climb, where stage 4 started in 2024, and finishes at Beals Point.

Our commitment to your safety and race experience shaped discussions with Folsom Lake SRA over the past year to make changes required to approve our permit and keep or improve the character of the event. This year’s course will still deliver an epic day on the bike, and a point-to-point experience unique to Mother Lode Epic.

Stages / Transfers	Route Info	Start	End	Notes
Friday Packet Pickup		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: Friday, June 6, 2025 from 5-7pm in Historic Folsom Zittel Family Amphitheater 200 Wool St, Folsom, CA 95630
Parking & Packet Pickup		Start: Historic Folsom		Notes: Race morning Packet Pickup is open from 6-6:45am. In front of Folsom Hotel 703 Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630 Parking Info – No rooftop bike racks in garage!
Shuttle		Start: Historic Folsom	End: Magnolia Trailhead	Notes: Shuttle for you & your bike is included with your race entry. Loading starts at 6:00 am. Shuttles leave at 6:45 am.
Stage #1	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Magnolia Trailhead	End: Cronan Ranch	Notes: Race starts at 8:30 am Wave start, 7.32 miles long 1,039 ft vert gain
Transfer #1	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Cronan Ranch	End: Cronan Ranch	Notes: Stage 1 finishes before the climb up to Westridge! You’ll still have to pedal uphill, but not at race pace. Aid Station #1 is just before the climb.
Stage #2	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Cronan Ranch	End: Acorn Creek Trailhead	Notes: Stage 2 finishes with a downhill to Acorn Creek Trailhead. Individual start, 7.4 miles long 892 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #2 is 10:00 am.*
Transfer #2	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Acorn Creek Trailhead	End: Salmon Falls Ranch	Notes: Transfer 2 takes riders from the end of Stage 2 at Acorn Creek to the Salmon Falls Ranch Aid Station through a huge culvert under Salmon Falls Rd.
Stage #3	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Salmon Falls Ranch	End: Peninsula Entrance Kiosk	Notes: 2025 update: Stage 3 starts near the aid station and includes the extended route used in 2024, but finishes near the Peninsula entrance kiosk and Day Use area as used prior to 2024. Individual start, 11.32 miles long 1,520 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #3 is 11:30 am.*
Transfer #3	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Peninsula Entrance Kiosk	End: Dotons Point	Notes: 2025 updates: We’re back to our original boat transfer from the Peninsula Day Use Launch Ramp to Dotons Point. Aid Station #3 at Peninsula Day Use Launch Ramp We will ferry you and your bike via pontoon boat!
Stage #4	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Dotons Point	End: Granite Beach	Notes: 2025 updates: The 2025 MLE route returns to the original with a slight twist! The historic stage 4 is now broken into two short stages for the best racer experience and safety. Don’t worry, we still make Granite Bay hard! Individual starts, 3.71 miles 384 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #4 is TBA*
Transfer #4	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Granite Beach	End: 5% Launch Ramp	Notes: 2025 updates: Riders continue on the original route through the Granite Beach launch ramp areas, but with heavy traffic and public use, not under racing conditions.
Stage 5	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: 5% Launch Ramp	End: Beals Point	Notes: 2025 updates: The first ever 5th stage for Mother Lode Epic, provides one last effort and opportunity to solidify your race result! Racers start on the “Water Tower” climb both loved and hated by locals, and then work their way through the fast and flowy trail all the way to Beals Point. Individual starts, 3.13 miles 450 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #5 is TBA*
Transfer 5	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Beals Point	End: Historic Folsom	Notes: All racers must ride this final portion of the course into Folsom for results to be valid. Easy 4-mile final transfer 400 feet of descent and 160 ft of climbing Mother Lode Epic finishes with a neutral roll into Historic Folsom. Check out views of Folsom Prison and Lake Natoma from the trail before crossing under the finish arch on Sutter Street. Click here for a zoomed in map of the finish.
Balance Bike Bash		Start: Historic Folsom		Notes: Free! Balance bike races for ages 5 & under 9am-12pm, races every half hour On Sutter Street next to the Mother Lode Epic Finish Line Info coming soon!
Post-Race Party		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: Celebrate your achievement at our post-race party in Historic Folsom’s Zittel Family Amphitheater! Live music from Dad Bod Band and the Kasch Bowman Trio Beer garden featuring Solid Ground Brewing. Awards at 5:00 PM
Awards Ceremony		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: 5:00 PM at the Zittel Family Amphitheater in Historic Folsom

*Riders must be ready to start the Stage by the listed start time. If riders are unable to do so, they and their bike will be SAG’d forward to the next stage where they may continue with the race. We are doing this because this race is in the Sacramento area in the summer, and we don’t want anyone keeling over!