View east toward Jordanelle from the Midmountain Connector. Review by Bruce on August 27, 2024.
View east toward Jordanelle from the Midmountain Connector. Review by Bruce on August 27, 2024.
Humdinger (Midmountain Connector)
and Midmountain Extension trail 

The Humdinger (aka Midmountain Connector) trail links the Midmountain Extension to the trails of the Mayflower system. New in 2024, this trail allows bikers to reach Spin Cycle (and the new Mayflower trails) on dirt, without navigating through complex private subdivision roads. This Park City area trail is on an east-facing slope between US Highway 40 and Deer Valley.

The Humdinger trail is 3.3 miles long. At the Midmountain end the elevation is around 8000 feet. The trail dips to a low of 7250 feet before heading back uphill. Humdinger climbs back uphill to reach Rinse Cycle -- near the top of Spin Cycle -- at 7500. With the higher elevations and north-facing slopes, the trail will have a riding season of late June through early October. (Resort activity to prepare for ski season may close the area trails earlier than other systems at similar elevation.)
Passing through forest of aspen and fir while climbing uphill on the Connector.
Passing through forest of aspen and fir while climbing uphill on the Connector.
A typical turn radius. This is the final turn at the top (looking downhill) before Humdinger ends on Midmountain at 7950 feet elevation.
A typical turn radius. This is the final turn at the top (looking downhill) before Humdinger ends on Midmountain at 7950 feet elevation.
The trail is a bench-cut trail with gentle slope. The alignment goes back and forth through long traverses between switchbacks. Turns are banked, although they're usually too tight to be taken at high speed in the downhill direction. The trail is appropriate for beginning riders, if they're tough enough to handle the amount of climbing that's required.
The Midmountain Extension trail is 1.6 miles long, running from Deer Valley's Silver Lake Lodge to the Deer Crest trail. It lies at just under 8000 feet elevation, traversing the ridge area eastbound from Deer Valley. It's your route from the Deer Valley resort to Humdinger -- 0.9 miles to the trail fork. See below for additional details.
Cruising through mixed forest on the Midmountain Extension trail.
Cruising through mixed forest on the Midmountain Extension trail.
Trailheads and Connections
Looking west to the trail.
Looking west to the trail.
Deer Crest (We'll Go From There) Trailhead
The Deer Crest Trailhead is located at the uphill corner of a three-section parking lot just off Deer Hollow Road. (This route is heavily impacted by construction in 2024. The directions here take you around a closed section of Deer Hollow Road.) Exit US-40 at Mayflower. Turn east toward the reservoir, then left on Jordanelle Parkway. Turn left under US-40 onto Mayflower Mine Road. Veer left to go south. Turn left to head uphill on Deer Hollow Road, then left again to pass between two large buildings. Now work your way left uphill to the far corner of the parking area, where you'll see the kiosk. Head uphill to start your ride on the We'll Go From There trail.
The trail entry is between the two vehicles. We're looking west.
The trail entry is between the two vehicles. We're looking west.
Mayflower (You Get It) Trailhead
Drive to Deer Hollow Road as above, but continue uphill past the large buildings for another 100 yards. Turn to the left into a large parking area. Head toward the little wood-and-glass kiosk. Find a trail that heads away from parking. Keep to the right and uphill as the "We'll Go From There" joins.
Deer Valley in summer. Lift-served biking!
Deer Valley in summer. Lift-served biking!
From Deer Valley Silver Lake Lodge
In Park City, follow the signs toward Deer Valley Resort. To get to the upper (Silver Lake) lodge, turn left on Royal Drive just after the road divides -- before you actually see the Snow Park (lower) lodge. Drive 4 miles uphill, following the signs to the Silver Lake lodge. (I recommend parking at the lower lodge and taking the city shuttle bus uphill instead of driving to the upper lodge.) Once you're at the lift area, face the mountain and look around for trail signs. The northbound Midmountain Trail is to your right, coasting downhill to the underpass then left onto singletrack. The Midmountain Extension is to your left, beginning as a doubletrack. It will be 0.9 miles to the Midmountain Connector trail.
Humdinger (Midmountain Connector)
On the Midmountain trail (westbound), looking to the trail fork where the top of the Connector trail begins.
On the Midmountain trail (westbound), looking to the trail fork where the top of the Connector trail begins.
At the top, the Humdinger trail begins at a hairpin turn on the Midmountain Extension trail, 0.9 miles east of Deer Valley's Silver Lake lodge. Enter the trail by keeping straight instead of making the turn to stay on Midmountain.

The trail fork is 0.7 miles from the Deer Crest trail if you're coming from lower Deer Valley.

The trail begins at just under 8000 feet elevation. When done in the downhill direction, there will be 700 feet of descending then 250 feet of climbing to reach Rinse Cycle.
Typical trail view, with smooth dirt meandering through mature forest.
Typical trail view, with smooth dirt meandering through mature forest.
North-facing slope in mature fir forest.
North-facing slope in mature fir forest.
The upper mile of the trail lies mostly in tall fir forest, with occasional stands of aspen. The trail is a bench cut with an overall zig-zag layout. There's gradual elevation change between tight turns. The trail is almost completely dirt. In 2024, there are no rocks or roots to contend with, so the riding is appropriate for beginners.
For the first two miles, there will be only an occasional breakout view when the trail hits a ridgeline. You take peek south toward the Deer Valley resort trails and east toward Jordanelle.
Looking toward Jordanelle from the Connector, near the lowest elevation on the trail.
Looking toward Jordanelle from the Connector, near the lowest elevation on the trail.
Breaking out of aspen and maple forest where a view awaits.
Breaking out of aspen and maple forest where a view awaits.

At mile 2.1, keep straight as an intermediate-level DH trail forks downhill to the right. (This downhill trail is also new in 2024. I'm told the name will be "Rory of the Mountain." After crossing a doubletrack, it will climb to upper Kaboom. See the Mayflower page for information.)

Other trail connections are planned for the future as the Mayflower system is developed.

After descending to the bottom of the main canyon, the Humdinger trail begins to climb a sun-exposed slope of oak and maple. This segment of the trail will cross a couple of areas of resort construction. When you're in doubt, keep straight and follow what seems to be the logical line until you're back on singletrack.
Climbing uphill through oak forest toward Rinse Cycle.
Climbing uphill through oak forest toward Rinse Cycle.
At the end of the trail. We're looking north, ask the Connector joins Rinse Cycle. Left uphill is your route to Spin Cycle.
At the end of the trail. We're looking north, ask the Connector joins Rinse Cycle. Left uphill is your route to Spin Cycle.
Humdinger hits Rinse Cycle at the apex of a turn, at mile 3.3 from Midmountain. Left uphill on Rinse Cycle will take you to the top of Spin Cycle, 0.5 miles uphill. A right turn will take you downhill on Rinse Cycle, where you can connect to Mayflower trails or continue to the Deer Hollow trailheads.
Midmountain Extension
The Midmountain trail is an intermediate-age trail by Park City standards, with narrow singletrack crowded by forest.
The Midmountain trail is an intermediate-age trail by Park City standards, with narrow singletrack crowded by forest.
The Midmountain Extension trail continues east from the Silver Lake Lodge area of Deer Valley as a direct continuation of the Midmountain trail. At the resort staging area, southbound Midmountain joins doubletrack to go under a ski overpass. Stay straight across the broad multi-trail base area until doubletrack converts to singletrack heading eastbound.
The trail passes through aspen and fir forest at just under 8000 feet elevation. At mile 0.9 from the resort, the Midmountain Connector trail (to the Mayflower trails) forks away on the right, as Midmountain makes a hairpin turn to the left. (In 2024, the trail fork is marked with a temporary sign.)

The Midmountain Extension official ends at the intersection with Deer Crest and Ripple at mile 1.6 from Silver Lake Lodge.

Looking down toward Jordanelle at an area of gambel oak and sage.
Looking down toward Jordanelle at an area of gambel oak and sage.

Quick look at Humdinger

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Getting there, Midmountain Extension at Deer Valley
In Park City, follow the signs toward Deer Valley Resort. To get to the upper (Silver Lake) lodge, turn left on Royal Drive just after the road divides -- before you actually see the Snow Park lodge. Drive 4 miles uphill, following the signs. Note that in 2017 the previous parking lot no longer exists, being replaced by a new building. So on weekends your chance of finding a parking spot aren't good. You can park at the lower Snow Park lodge and take the city shuttle bus uphill. Once you're at the lift area, face the mountain. Your ride will start by aiming right and coasting downhill to the underpass. As you pass underneath, turn left onto singletrack. This is the Midmountain Trail.

Deer Crest (We'll Go From There) Trailhead
The Deer Crest Trailhead is located at the uphill corner of a three-section parking lot just off Deer Hollow Road. (This route is heavily impacted by construction in 2024. The directions here take you around a closed section of Deer Hollow Road.) Exit US-40 at Mayflower. Turn east toward the reservoir, then left on Jordanelle Parkway. Turn left under US-40 onto Mayflower Mine Road. Veer left to go south. Turn left to head uphill on Deer Hollow Road, then left again to pass between two large buildings. Now work your way left uphill to the far corner of the parking area, where you'll see the kiosk. Head uphill to start your ride on the We'll Go From There trail.

Mayflower (You Get It) Trailhead
Drive to Deer Hollow Road as above, but continue uphill past the large buildings for another 100 yards. Turn to the left into a large parking area. Head toward the little wood-and-glass kiosk. Find a trail that heads away from parking. Keep to the right and uphill as the "We'll Go From There" joins.