Briceburg is located approximately 12 miles east of Mariposa, California, along Highway 140,
just before the road heads into Yosemite National Park.
Exploring Briceburg and Burma Grade: Historic Yosemite Area Routes
Written by: Chris Van Leuven | February 20, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
With wildflower blooms in spring, refreshing swims in the cool Merced River, and camping
opportunities at McCabe Flat and other rustic sites, Briceburg and Burma Grade are outstanding
e-Biking destinations in the Yosemite area.
More about the Author: Chris Van Leuven
Chris is a writer, climber, and founder of Yosemite E-Biking in Mariposa, CA. When he’s not tackling Sierra Foothills trails or scaling rock walls, he’s crafting adventure stories with his boxer, Fenster. His work has appeared in Outside, Men’s Journal, Gripped, and Best American Sports Writing.
Twelve miles east of Mariposa, heading toward Yosemite, California, the highway plunges into a
steep, curving descent before crossing a historic bridge toward the Park. At this point, you’ll
notice a left turn—just as the highway sweeps right—that leads onto Briceburg Road. A 90-
degree left into a spacious parking area marks your arrival in Briceburg.
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Briceburg: A Glimpse of History
Once at the gravel Briceburg day-use parking along the water, ahead, you’ll see a 160-foot
suspension bridge, built in 1937 with wooden slats, that spans the Merced River. It’s wild riding
your e-Bike over this bridge, and it feels like you’re floating over the water. Briceburg is
tiny—with only a Visitor Center (built in 1926) and a few residences. The Visitor Center serves
as an information center and location for picking up maps and books. This area also features popular swimming spots on either side of the bridge, a spacious parking lot (which fills up on hot
summer afternoons) and bathrooms.
Setting Off on the Ride
The historic bridge marks the start of your adventure. After unloading your gear in the parking
lot, prepare for the various trail options that offer exceptional riding.
Left or Right
Going Left: Going west (left) offers e-Biking on a spacious dirt road leading toward the McCabe
Flat campground, roughly two miles away. You can continue past the campground, but the road
then narrows to an overgrown single track so thick with brush that it’s hard even to walk through.
Going Right: Heading right (east) is a narrow, single-track path along the Merced River canyon,
extending four miles, where springtime poppies bloom. Along this route, you’ll cross footpaths
over old, washed-out bridges destroyed during the historic 1997 flood when the Merced River in
Yosemite Valley rose 10 feet above flood stage. (I was here for this historic, wild event; park
residents, including me, were evacuated and had to drive over deep rivers crossing the road.)
At the four-mile mark, the highway crosses the Merced River via a (temporary) bridge installed
after the massive Ferguson Slide destroyed a portion of the Central Yosemite Highway (140) in
2006. Although chain-link fences now block further access past the slide, it’s not closed, but you
can’t cross the gate. However, you can ride this next several-mile-long stretch from access points
further down the highway.
Options include departing from the Redbud Picnic Site, taking Incline Road west, or riding west
from El Portal. This section is still part of the old Yosemite Railroad, which ran from 1907 to
1945. Shuttered due to financial losses and increased tourism via private cars, the El Portal
railroad station eventually burned to the ground, leaving only the caboose as a historical
landmark, marked with white paint YV15.
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Straight Ahead: Burma Grade (Bull Creek Road)
Hill climbing in the Sierra foothills is surprisingly steep and sustained, and hot summer
temperatures stress the bikes even more. I’ve attempted these mountains, including Burma
Grade, in low-powered e-Bikes and have eventually succeeded, but it was hard on the bikes and
me. I wouldn’t recommend it. Low-watt e-Bikes are just not made for this area. You’ll want a
powerful electric bike in the Mountain category to ride the hills.
As a tip, I recommend using tire liners and a suspension seat post to lower the risk of flats and
smooth out the ride, as this area gets rough. I’ve biked this with Specialized Turbo Como and
Aventon Aventure e-Bikes.
Heading straight up ahead takes you onto Burma Grade—a significant uphill ride that climbs
1,500 vertical feet in just five miles via switchbacks over sand, gravel, and rocky patches. At the
top is a junction, great for a picnic, offering the option to continue on Burma Grade (State Route
2S05) or head east along the Tuolumne River Road, with both routes winding deep into the
mountains,15 miles one way or more. While descending, be aware of how hard you are on the
brakes, as you don’t want to wear out the pads or have to bleed the brakes. Read the blog here on
Adding Extra Terrain After Burma Grade
Since the ride up to the Burma Grade junction at the top is merely five—prolonged
climbing—miles, even after doubling back and reaching the bridge, the ride should leave you
plenty of battery power. Once back at the bridge, to continue the ride, I recommend heading
along either length of the converted railroad trail to reach areas along the water for cliff jumping,
swimming, or simply lounging after riding. Or maybe load up your bikes, drive into Yosemite,
and e-Bike ride the paved trails—all 12 miles of them—before sunset.
Key Takeways
- Briceburg Highlights: Visit the historic 1937 suspension bridge, swim in the Merced River, and explore the Briceburg Visitor Center for maps and information.
- E-Bike Trails: Smooth, scenic paths along the Merced River are perfect for e-Bikes. Riders can choose to ride towards McCabe Flat or along narrow single-track routes.
- Burma Grade Challenge: A steep, 5-mile ascent with a 1,500-foot elevation gain—best experienced with a high-powered mountain e-Bike.
- Preparation Tips: Use tire liners and a suspension seat post, and make sure your e-Bike has enough power for steep climbs.
- Extended Adventures: Explore converted railroad trails and venture along the Merced River after taking on Burma Grade.
- Seasonal Beauty: Spring showcases wildflower blooms, while summer provides refreshing swims and camping opportunities at McCabe Flat.
Where is Briceburg located?
Is the Briceburg suspension bridge safe for e-Bikes?
Yes, the historic 1937 suspension bridge is exposed but safe for e-Bikes, though the wooden slats
can make the ride feel a bit wobbly. Ride slowly and carefully.
What type of e-Bike is best for Briceburg and Burma Grade?
For Briceburg’s flat trails: Mountain, Commuter, Gravel, or Folding e-Bikes work well.
For Burma Grade’s steep climb: A high-powered Mountain e-Bike is recommended.
How difficult is the Burma Grade climb?
Burma Grade is a challenging 5-mile climb with 1,500 feet of elevation gain over loose gravel,
sand, and rocky terrain. It’s best suited for experienced riders with powerful e-Bikes.
Are there camping options near Briceburg?
Yes, McCabe Flat campground is located about 2 miles west of Briceburg and offers camping
along the Merced River.
Can I swim in the Merced River?
Absolutely! The Merced River near Briceburg has popular swimming spots on both sides of the
suspension bridge, perfect for cooling off on hot days.
What happened during the 1997 flood?
The early January 1997 flood raised the Merced River 10 feet above flood stage, washing out
bridges.
What should I bring for an e-Bike ride in this area?
A high-powered e-Bike with sufficient battery life. Tire liners and a suspension seat post for rough terrain. Plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. A map or GPS device, as cell service can be limited.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring is ideal for wildflower blooms, while summer offers warm and hot weather for swimming
and camping. Winter works, too, but avoid riding here directly after storms to avoid getting stuck
in mud or clay.
Is the area family-friendly?
The flat trails along the Merced River are great for families, but Burma Grade is better suited for
experienced riders due to its steep and challenging terrain.
