Bizz Johnson short rail-trail return from Susanville

Bizz Johnson short rail-trail return from Susanville — detailed guide

Source review: 2026-10-20. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.

Susanville, California · Up to 2 miles out and back · Compacted aggregate / gravel railbed

Start: Susanville Caboose Trailhead public parking, west of Richmond Road opposite the historic depot, Susanville Trailhead off Richmond Road, opposite 601 Richmond Road, Susanville, CA. BLM describes the Caboose trailhead as a park-and-go public start across from the depot. Use that trailhead’s designated spaces and walk onto the railbed; do not park at the depot then ride across Richmond Road as part of this outing.

Ride: Follow the broad Bizz Johnson railway west from the Caboose trailhead toward Hobo Camp. Turn after one outward mile, before a road/drive crossing, work or rockfall barrier, or unsuitable gravel, whichever comes first. Retrace. Do not approach the historic slide about three miles west, continue into the canyon tunnels or take the Southside singletrack detour. Stay on the railbed and walk any busy or slippery bridge approach; shorten for snow, mud or loose gravel.

Distance: Chosen maximum two-mile return, parking walking extra. Not the 25.4-mile whole trail, a shuttle route or the seven-mile Devil’s Corral descent.

Permission and effort: BLM expressly lists bicycling on the non-motorized rail-trail and recommends wide-tire bicycles. BLM describes a relatively level aggregate railway with a published maximum grade of 3%. That is manager information, not a fresh survey. Expect a gentle uphill outward leg and an easier return; wider tires are more suitable than narrow road tires.

Planning: Use daylight and obey current trailhead gate and closure signs; no precise daily Caboose parking schedule established. BLM states no trail fees. Shuttle fares, events and depot activities are separate. Walkers and bicycles yield to horses; announce passes and give riders room. Stay off wet or muddy trail to avoid damage. Carry water and plan for limited services. This is a dry, snow-free ordinary pedal-bicycle outing; electric-device classes are not established.

Access: Reviewed October 20, 2026: current BLM trail and public-start descriptions remain available. January 2025 notice placed a rockslide about three miles west of Susanville; June 2025 shuttle guidance still required a steep singletrack bypass. Later rock-removal work was not treated as actual reopening. The selected first-mile return stays short of that area; respect any newer work, rockfall, fire, snow or flood restriction.

Choose comfortable weather, bring water and check current signs before setting out. No parking-space pin, surveyed route or GPX is supplied.

Sources: BLM trail and riding information · BLM public trailhead · January 2025 rockfall notice · June 2025 bypass guidance · Official California tourism