Mother Lode Epic

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.

2026 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’ve kept the 2024 version of 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?

Our commitment to your safety and race experience shaped discussions with Folsom Lake SRA 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.

Click here for the full Strava route.

Click here to download a GPX file of the course.

Stage 4 is approximately 4 miles, on the twisty North Granite Bay singletrack and finishing just before the Granite Beach day use area. IMPORTANT: Some updates have been made to the Stage 4 route due to Folsom Lake water level.
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 and finishes at Beals Point.
Be on the lookout for some minor tweaks on Stages 4 & 5. As always, keep your head up and follow course markings.
Transfer 5 is still a neutral roll from Beals Point, with some slight tweaks to reach our new finish line location in the Historic Folsom Amphitheater. Wait for your friends at Beals Point, and roll on down to the finish line together!
New Historic Folsom finisher approach in 2026!
We’re giving a grand “Welcome back!” to every racer in the Historic Folsom amphitheater. You’ll finish your race by rolling up on stage (yes, you read that right) in front of a giant video wall backdrop. Between finishes, we’ll be showing live timing data and on-course video feeds so friends and family can follow along on your epic experience.

Stages / Transfers	Route Info	Start	End	Notes
Friday Packet Pickup		Start: Clipped In for Life HQ		Notes: Friday, June 5, 2026 from 5-7pm in Historic Folsom Clipped In for Life HQ – New location! 909 Mormon 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 6:15 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 but includes the NEW connector trail over to Chaparral Ridge and the new climbing trail up! Stage 3 finishes near the Peninsula entrance kiosk and Day Use area (used prior to 2024). Individual start, 10.68 miles long 1,224 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #3 is 11:30 am.* New in 2026 – Middle of Stage 3 Cutoff: Racers must reach the mid-stage 3 course marshal and water station by 12:45pm in order to finish the stage. Racers that miss this cutoff will be picked up by boat with the option to transport to Stage 4 start or to Beals Point.
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 & 2026 updates: 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! Due to high water levels in 2026, the Stage 4 route has been altered. Keep your head up and pay attention to course markings. Check out the Strava link above for the updated route. Individual starts, 3.71 miles 384 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #4 is 1:30 pm*
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 2:15 pm*
Transfer 5	Route Info: Stage Map	Start: Beals Point	End: Historic Folsom Amphitheater	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 the finish line on stage in the Historic Folsom Amphitheater. Click here for a zoomed in map of the finish.
Post-Race Party		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: Celebrate your achievement at our post-race party in Historic Folsom’s Zittel Family Amphitheater! 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Finish Line on stage! Big screen with live results and on-course video feed Beer Garden: 12-6 PM Bike Valet: 1-6 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!