Eagle Mountain Treadstone-area trails

View north. Initial photos and ride review by Bruce on July 9, 2016. Periodically updated for new trails with most recent update June 22, 2022.

Eagle Mountain - Middle Trails
"Prayer Flag" area: Treadstone, Supersonic, Cracker Jack,
Backspacer, Space Dust, Given to Fly, Nirvana, Deer Tracks
Tower Defense, Mormon Cricket

The knoll in the Treadstone area sits in the middle of the main Eagle Mountain riding area. Many other trails connect to Treadstone, making it a main access route into the heart of Eagle Mountain. The area has become more complicated over time, as additional trails are added, renamed, and then crossed over by even-newer trails.

The Treadstone trail is 2.1 miles long and is a must-ride for Eagle Mountain. Individual section have their own names, which may be confusing to you. The Lake Mountain Trails Association struggles to keep trail signs at intersections in this complex area. So if you're lost, get out your cell phone's navigation app and figure out where you really are.

Note that a quick description of major Eagle Mountain trails can be found on the Eagle Mountain Overview Page. Full descriptions of area trails are found on pages for the northern Eagle Mountain trails, the Eagle Mountain Race Loop, the Mountain Ranch Bike Park, the Lake Mountain East Ridgeline route, the Hidden Valley Trailhead loops, the Hickman Hill Practice loops, the Treadstone-area (Prayer Flag hill) trails, and the south Eagle Mountain trails.

Southbound on the former Behind the Boathouse section of Treadstone. This bit of trail is now a paved bike path behind building lots in a subdivision.

Looking north toward Eagle Mountain itself. That's actually the Bingham Canyon copper mine tailings you can see on the ridgeline.

Treadstone delivers you to many key trails around the Prayer Flags hill. You can connect to Given to Fly and the south end of Creed as well as Cracker Jack. At the prayer flags, Nirvana heads westbound from Treadstone, offering connections to the top of Given to Fly and Backspacer. As you descend Treadstone southbound, Deer Tracks connects down to the Race Loop staging area, Cow Tracks, and the doubletrack access to Jackrabbit. On the far south, Treadstone ends at the north end of Deadwood.

Trailheads

Parking lot, looking southeast.

Hidden Hollow

The paved Hidden Hollow trailhead has a bathroom, water, and room for over 40 vehicles. Westbound on SR-73 from Redwood Road (11600 West) in Lehi or from the Mountain View Corridor, turn left at the stop light onto The Ranches Parkway. At Pony Express Parkway, turn right. The road will veer a bit south (left), then back west (right) as you get one mile from Ranches Parkway. At the traffic light before Hidden Hollow Elementary, turn left and drive uphill 0.3 miles. Turn left into the parking lot.

Rock-a-Billy is the usual route to the trails of Lake Mountain. The entry is at the northeast (upper) corner of the parking area.

A doubletrack across the road to the west will take you to the Hickman Hill loops (and to Supersonic, Cracker Jack, and Given-to-Fly southbound, plus Creed and Brass Monkey northbound). Get onto dirt (however you can) then keep to the right as you aim for the valley. Go about a tenth of a mile, and when you see singletrack heading north up the hill, take it. It will quickly branch. To the left are Creed and Brass Monkey. Go to the right (and stay right) to get on the I-15 trail segment eastbound.

Looking down on the race staging area from Treadstone.

Rockpile race staging area
On Pony Express Parkway heading west, turn left to the Hidden Canyon road at 1.1 miles from Ranches Parkway. Continue up the paved road until it turns into dirt. Keep generally left and heading southeast at any road forks, staying just below the slope of the hill on your left. When you reach a rockpile followed by a broad open area with several dirt roads forking away at mile 1.3 from Pony Express Parkway, you're there. The northern trails are most easily reached by taking Deer Tracks to Cracker Jack, just up the hill west of the staging area.

Deer Tracks Trail - access from the "Rockpile" parking area

Treadstone can be reached quickly from the Race Loop 's trailhead via Deer Tracks. The Deer Tracks trail starts westbound away from the dirt road just where you enter the parking area. It climbs gently 0.2 miles to intercept Treadstone at mile 0.75 from Deadwood. Like Treadstone, it's narrow singletrack.

Just uphill from the trailhead, we're heading southwest.

Almost to the connection spot, heading west, with miles of Great Basin in view.

Deer Tracks can also be considered a continuation of the Cow Tracks trail when riding into the area from the north. From Cow Tracks, veer a bit to the right as you roll downhill toward the parking zone and hold straight as you cross the branching doubletracks at the eastern side of the race parking zone. As you reach the westernmost doubletrack on the far side of the parking zone (heading south-southwest) look for the singletrack starting uphill on your right.
To make the connection in reverse rom Treadstone, descend Deer Tracks then cross the open area veering slightly left toward an ATV track. Just uphill on the ATV track, Cow Tracks is on your left.

Cracker Jack

Cracker Jack runs through a grassy area that burned a few years ago. Few live trees remain.

Cracker Jack forks away from the Deer Tracks trail just uphill from the "Rockpile" parking zone. It extends north to Hidden Canyon. It runs in a north-south direction along the lower slope of the "Prayer Flag" hill. The trail is easy to ride both uphill and down.

Cracker Jack is 0.7 miles in length with 150 vertical feet elevation loss from Deer Tracks to Hidden Canyon.

Descending Cracker Jack toward Hidden Canyon.

Looking uphill on the 2022 re-route of Cracker Jack as we climb up from Given to Fly. Just ahead is the merger with Supersonic.

Near its northern end, Cracker Jack joins Supersonic for 1/10th mile. Keep left and downhill at the merger, then fork downhill to the right at the trail split. Cracker Jack ends on Given to Fly. To the right is the path toward the trailhead (affected by construction in 2022), and to the left is the Given to Fly trail westbound.

Treadstone Trail

In 2016 the Treadstone Trail was added to the Eagle Mountain trails in the Hidden Canyon area. In 2022 Treadstone is 2.1 miles long with an elevation gain of 350 feet.
Treadstone offers both new loop ride options and an extension or variation of pre-existing loops. The riding season is March through December, weather permitting. The riding is suitable for intermediates, but will be satisfying cranking for hammerheads.

The famous Prayer Flags of Eagle Mountain are at the Treadstone Trail's highest point. On a Saturday morning, you'll find plenty of local bikers hitting this trail system.

Climbing along the parched south-facing hillside shortly after leaving Deadwood.

The tread is narrow hand-cut singletrack, with constant wiggles, dips, and turns. If you're looking for a fast emergency route back to town, this is NOT it. This trail goes all over the place, back and forth. It climbs around, then over, a small hill west of the parking area, then descends north on the backside of the hill as Supersonic.

Note that sections of Treadstone are signed with various names (in addition to the main trail name). These include Billy Idol from Treadstone to Deer Tracks, Cougar Tracks up to the hill top, and Prayer Flags for the route on top of the hill before the trail becomes Supersonic at the dirt road).

Treadstone lies at the northwest corner of Eagle Mountain's Race Loop, but isn't actually part of the loop. It's not directly connected to the Mountain Ranch Bike Park trail system. It connects to Nirvana (which is your route to the top of Given to Fly and Backspacer), and Deer Tracks.

The trail winds back and forth constantly. Bruce is eastbound on the southern side of the hill.

We've turned around the mountain, looking down at the parking area for the Race Loop. Plenty of parking, but bring your own shade and water. Also, a potty if you'll need one.

Many riders going clockwise on the Race Loop trails will fork onto the southern portion of Treadstone after they finish Deadwood (instead of turning onto dirt road). After riding 3/4 mile on Treadstone, fork right onto Deer Tracks and drop to the trailhead. This singletrack route is only slightly longer than the 3/4 mile of dirt road on the official race loop. But it's a lot more fun and scenic.

For riders who are looking for just a few miles, consider starting at the Race Loop trailhead. Climb Deer Tracks then take Treadstone and Supersonic to its north end on the Hidden Canyon road. To get back, you'll climb Cracker Jack south uphill.

Eagle Mountain is a great spot for winter riding. Here Bruce hits Treadstone just south of Creed on December 29th. This spot is part of the trail also carries the name "Supersonic."

Supersonic

Eagle Mountain is a great spot for winter riding. Here Bruce rolls uphill on Supersonic during a winter ride.

The top of Supersonic is the continuation of Treadstone across a gravel service road near the top of the Prayer Flags hill. Supersonic runs down to the edge of the subdivision in Hidden Canyon, where you can connect to Given to Fly, Creed, Brass Monkey, and the Hickman hill beginner loops. It rides well in either direction and is a popular route for longer loop rides.
Length 1.1 miles with 300 vertical feet of climbing when done from Hidden Canyon. Surface easier-intermediate, modest aerobic effort.

Near its northern end, Supersonic will merge with Cracker Jack for 1/10th mile. In 2022, these trail forks are not marked for this recent re-route. If descending Supersonic, keep left as the trail makes a hard left turn just above a trail fork. (The trail to the right is Cracker Jack.) Keep left uphill 1/10th mile later as Cracker Jack descends away.
If southbound from Given to Fly -- climbing Supersonic -- keep straight at the first intersection as Cracker Jack joins from downhill left. Next fork right uphill as Cracker Jack continues straight.

Northbound on Supersonic as Cracker Jack splits away on our right.

Nirvana Trail

Little Rocky rests against the flagpole at the top of Nirvana. (The Treadstone trail is just out of sight 10 feet behind my bike.)

Nirvana starts from the highest point of the Treadstone trail and descends to the Pony Express Parkway over 2.2 miles. The elevation loss will be 320 feet (starting from 5300 altitude). Nirvana is also your route to Given to Fly and Backspacer. Although thought of as a descent, Nirvana is also a good climbing route.
The trail starts at the "prayer flag pole." In December 2017, the connection isn't obvious. If you don't see a trail fork, just walk your bike over to the opposite side of the flags and find the trail heading south.

Once you drop off the top of the hill and cross a jeep road, the trail becomes almost pure dirt. It rode pretty smooth for a brand-new trail. As it heads west, then north, the trail stays in the wild stuff above the dry-farm in the valley. I didn't find anything scary or tricky. Nirvana is a swoop and whoop type of trail.
NOTE! Nirvana has been interrupted by a fence in November 2022. The trail re-route is still pending. When descending, you'll want to fork to the right on Given To Fly.

Dirt ribbon descends through old burned trees. The homogenous-looking area in the valley is the dry farm.

Climbing Nirvana. At the trail fork on the ridge, we'll head left toward the prayer flags.

There will be a little bit of climbing when the trail turns into a little valley. You'll turn to the south and climb about 80 vertical feet to a higher level on the hill before resuming the northward journey. As you reach Pony Express Parkway, turn right and connect to Brass Monkey to continue your ride.

Given to Fly

Given to Fly is two-directional, but you'll like it more as a downhill. As a climber, it's mellow and easy at first, then reaches a steep area with a couple of rock drops that will probably have you pushing your bike. The trail is 1.4 miles with 350 vertical feet of altitude change. The steep spots make Given to Fly an upper-intermediate trail, although most of the trail is quite easy.

The bottom half of Given to Fly is very smooth and easy to ride, with minimal grade. If you're riding it uphill, things will get substantially more difficult on the second half.

Climbing Given to Fly, with a few homes of Eagle Mountain visible behind me.

As an uphill: The north (bottom) end of Given to Fly forks away from Supersonic at the edge of the new subdivision. (This area is changing. Stay tuned.) Keep straight here as Supersonic turns left uphill, then cross over the Creed connector heading southwest.

As a downhill: You can reach the top of Given to Fly via Nirvana. As you approach the prayer flags at the top of Treadstone southbound, veer right (west). After 0.2 miles, keep left as Nirvana forks up and over the ridge northbound.
At mile 0.5 from the prayer flags, fork to the right uphill and over the ridge northbound to stay on Given to Fly. (Downhill and left is Backspacer.)

Westbound while riding Given to Fly downhill. In 0.2 miles from the trail's origin on the ridgeline, keep right to cross over to the north side of the mountain.

Backspacer

Dropping into the first turn on the downhill as Backspacer begins. The trail fork is at the left edge of the photo. Right-hand fork over the ridge if Given to Fly. Downhill and left is Backspacer.

Backspacer is primarily done as a downhill. But it rides well in either direction. It extends from Given to Fly (around 1/4 mile from the trail's origin) down to the bottom of Deadwood. It crosses Treadstone on the way downhill and has a fork to Crop Duster at the wash where Backspacer turns west.

Backspacer is only 0.7 miles long. The vertical drop is around 200 feet. The trail isn't particularly technical. This is an easy descent. There is one dip through the wash that beginning riders will want to walk. Near the bottom of Backspacer is a trail fork for Crop Duster , a popular option.

Rolling into a turn shortly after crossing Treadstone on the way down.

Handlebar view as I drop through the wash near the end of Backspacer.

At the end of Backspacer, you can head south on Deadwood, north and uphill on Treadstone, or east on the race doubletrack. As a climbing route, Backspacer has slow and steady altitude gain, without any particular challenges. It's a great alternative route if you're at the north end of Deadwood and want to take the fastest route up to the prayer flags.

Space Dust

When riding east to west, we're looking up at the first turn since leaving OHV route 1.

Space Dust is a short trail that's a fun ride. But it doesn't connect to the other singletracks in the area. Instead, both ends are found on doubletrack ATV trail. The length of the singletrack is 0.4 miles, or 0.6 if you count the DT and connector down to Crop Duster. There's about 50 vertical feet of overall climbing and the trail is easy-intermediate in tech requirement.

The western end of Space Dust is a doubletrack extending uphill from OHV route 1 about 1/4 mile east of the junction of Deadwood with the west end of Treadstone. After climbing uphill past the end of Backspacer, keep on the doubletrack to mile 0.2 where the singletrack branches to your right.

Looking east while on the traversing section of the ride.

Looking down Space Dust at a nicely banked and reinforced turn on a west-to-east ride.

The trail winds along the hillside a bit before descending through a few swooping banked turns back to OHV route 1.

Mormon Cricket

Here's the drop-in to Mormon Cricket. Looks easy so far!<

Mormon Cricket is an expert-level short DH running between upper Nirvana and lower Given to Fly. It's 0.2 miles long, with 150 vertical feet of elevation drop. While on Nirvana about 0.2 miles from the prayer flags, there's a connector on your right that takes you to the official drop-in on a gravel doubletrack.

Mormon Cricket has some relatively wicked technical spots. For a couple of these, even the "ride-around" bailout path is expert-level gnarly! So don't go down here unless you're prepared to take gap jumps, significant drops, and very rough rock.

First gap jump, and it's not a small one. But as you see, this one has a nice "scouting line" alongside.

Big ugly bouncy rock path. But techy as it is, straight down is NOT the real trail. It's the "chicken line." The real trail goes over the big rock on the right.

After riding around the steep line of bump-bumps, you come to this rock. You'll drop all of that vertical in one gut-wrenching near-vertical plunge.

No way in hell am I going off this thing.

As you approach the end of Mormon Cricket on Given to Fly, there's a big gap jump that's absolutely sick. Do not undershoot this one. There are ride-arounds on each side of this launching pad, but they're also expert level.

Tower Defense

Here's the fork from Given to Fly onto Tower Defense (curving to the left). If you arrive at the Nirvana cross-over, you rode past it.

Tower Defense is an intermediate-level two-way trail between Given to Fly on the bottom and Nirvana on the top. It's located just west of Mormon Cricket, for those who want to "session" the tech on the expert DH.

When climbing west on Given to Fly, you'll find Tower Defense forking to the left uphill at mile 0.7 from the edge of the subdivision, just 0.1 miles uphill from Mormon Cricket. In spring 2026, neither end of the trail is marked.

Tower Defense winds back and forth across the hill, for a series of 15 turns. It's 0.4 miles long with just over 100 feet of elevation change. If you're headed for Mormon Cricket, you'll climb east on Nirvana for a bit under 0.2 miles to get there.

This is a typical turn on Tower Defense. We're looking east.

We've almost reached Nirvana, where we'll turn to the left and climb some more to the top of Mormon Cricket.

The combined loop of Tower Defense up, Nirvana up, Mormon Cricket down, and Given to Fly back to Tower Defense is 0.8 miles with 150 vertical of climbing per lap.

Cropduster

Cropduster is mentioned here because the downhill (western) portion of it falls within this riding area. It is discussed in detail on the Eastern Eagle Mountain Area page. The downhill end of Cropduster forks away from Backspacer after southbound Backspacer crosses a dirt road. Veer to the left and turn east along the edge of the ravine. Cropduster will give you a gentle but sustained climb to the top of the ridge on Lake Mountain where you can connect to Gunslinger downhill.