Porc-u-climb and Downward Dog trails at Round Valley

Passing through a grove of oak on Nowhere Elks, which is the link between Porc-u-climb and Downward Dog. Trail review by Bruce with photos June 16, 2023.

Round Valley
Porc-u-climb and Downward Dog

The combination of Porc-u-climb and Downward Dog is a very popular bit of riding within the complex Round Valley riding area. Because these trails are often the specific target of riders, I'll discuss them in detail on this page. See the main Round Valley page for other trail information.

Trailheads and Access

Looking north from the entry to the ice arena parking lot. The trail in the middle of the photo is the southeastern end of Rambler.

Via Fast Pitch and Matt's Flat: One of the fastest and easiest ways to arrive at Porc-u-climb is to hop on the cindered Fast Pitch trail at the Quinn's Trailhead west of the main Sports Complex parking. Follow Fast Pitch to Matt's Flat (another broad cindered path) and climb gently until Matt's Flat veers right and ends on the doubletrack Valderoad. Turn left and climb some more on Valderoad. You'll find Seventy 101 and Porc-u-climb on your right.

Looking down at Old Ranch parking as Bruce begins the climb up Rambler.

Old Ranch (West Rambler) trailhead: From 224, go east on Old Ranch Road. Turn north as you approach the hill. Parking is on the east side of the road. Climb Rambler across the hill and descend to Round Valley Express, where you can turn right to head south and gently uphill. Fork left on Valderoad and find the trails on your left at the top of the rise.

North Round Valley (Bike Park) trailhead: Take Happy Gillmor to Tin Man . Fork left on Rambler at Rademan Ridge. Descend to Round Valley Express and turn right. Climb to Valderoad and climb further to Seventy 101 and Porc-u-climb.

Looking north from the entry to the ice arena parking lot. The trail in the middle of the photo is the southeastern end of Rambler.

East Rambler Gillmor Way: Turn off 248 onto Round Valley Drive. In 100 yards, turn left onto Gillmor Way. Follow Gillmor Way around to the intersection between Ability Way and the entry to the ice arena. Rambler is at the northeast corner of that intersection. Climb Rambler to the top of the hill and fork left on Nowhere Elks, which will take you to Downward Dog. (You can also climb Nowhere Elks from the bottom by forking early off Rambler.)

Porc-u-climb

Typical stretch of trail on Porc-u-climb, heading south.

Porc-u-climb begins as the continuation of Seventy 101 just above Valderoad. It is one-way uphill-only. There are many ways of arriving at this spot. If you arrived from Cammy's or the singletrack portion of Matt's Flat, just head uphill on Seventy 101 until it turns into Porc-u-climb. If you're on Valderoad, turn uphill at the top of the rise.

Porc-u-climb is a beautiful trail that winds back and forth as it gains elevation. You'll gain 150 vertical feet over one mile from Valderoad to Nowhere Elks. The trail passes in and out of oak groves, with the climbing being barely perceptible for most of the trip.

Almost to the top as the trail heads east towards the saddle.

Nowhere Elks

Riders setting out on Nowhere Elks as seen from the top of Porc-u-climb.

At the top of Porc-u-climb, keep straight and to the right as you join Nowhere Elks. (Nowhere Elks has descended from Rambler, which is just 0.2 miles uphill.) You'll be on Nowhere Elks for just 0.2 miles.After curving around to the right and passing through a grove of oak southbound, fork to the right on Downward Dog.

Downward Dog

Rider heading north on Downward Dog. The gentle rate of descent is typical.

Downward Dog is a downhill-only trail that's suitable for experienced beginners and early-intermediate riders. It's a smooth cruise, which explains its popularity. It extends from upper Nowhere Elks to the junction of Big Easy with the cindered Ability Way trail. It drops 300 vertical feet over 1.6 miles.

Like all Round Valley trails, Downward Dog zips through sage meadows with intermittent groves of scrub oak. There will be some nice views across Round Valley to the west.On the way down, Downward Dog will cross Valderoad, then Somewhere Elks.

View to the west from the trail.

Riders cruising the next segment of trail below me.

Once you hit Big Easy , you have several options for another lap. You can continue around the south side of the hill and climb Nowhere Elks to the top of Downward Dog, or you can hook a 180 onto Matt's Flat and climb back to Seventy 101 and Porc-u-climb.

Sports Complex Trailheads
On I-80, turn south at Silver Creek Junction (towards Heber). At the second exit (about 3 miles later) turn right towards Park City on Kearns Blvd (Highway 248). Less than 1/4 mile from the exit, turn right at the light onto Round Valley Drive. Quickly turn left onto Gilmor Way. Follow it around (pass the first parking lot) and veer north. You'll pass parking lots on your right. Head to the top of the parking area. Quinn's TH is across Gilmor Way. The other trails can be reached by heading toward the Ice Arena building. Bathroom and water are found in the middle of the parking area.
Quinn's TH: Directly across Gilmor Way from the top of the main Sports Complex paved parking area on the west side.
Rambler trail: Pedal on paved trail or road to the north. Go the entry to the parking lot on the south side of the Ice Arena. At the road crossing, turn north toward the stables. Rambler is the singletrack immediately on your right, just a few feet up the road.
Practice Loop trail: Go to Rambler as above, but don't turn onto the trail. Instead, go up the paved road toward the stables 1/10 mile. Just as it turns to the left, fork right on the yellow cinder path (Ability Way). The Practice Loop singletrack is about 100 feet up the path on your right.

Trailside Park and North Round Valley trailheads: (for access via Happy Gilmor and TM, bathroom and water available)
Leave US-40 (189) at the Silver Creek exit and turn west (toward Snyderville). You'll see the North Trailhead on your left as you approach a low hill. Turn in, and begin riding on Happy Gillmor. For the Trailside Park, stay straight on Silver Creek Parkway until it ends in the Trailside Park parking lot. To connect to Happy Gilmor, you have two options: (1) You can climb the broad trail right at the parking lot entry to the top of the saddle ridge, then head south when the main trail turns left to climb to the twisty DH trails. When you reach Happy Gilmor, turn right to head for the Old Ranch (Rambler) trailhead, or go left to find TM. (2) Backtrack on Silver Creek Parkway, past the church, and turn right at a dirt road with a gate. Veer left from DT to ST, and you're on Happy Gilmor.

Community Trailheads: (No water and bathrooms at these access points.)
Round Valley Way. Meadows Drive to Sunny Slopes Drive to Round Valley Way. Parking lot, access to the doubletrack trails just downhill from Somewhere Elks and Backslide singletracks.
Cove (Meadows Drive). Meadows Drive turns east at traffic light on 224 (Park Ave north of town). Parking on the north side of the street. Connects uphill to La Dea Duh and the west end of Matt's Flat.
Fairway Hills. Meadows Drive to Silver Cloud Dr to Morning Sky Court. No dedicated parking. Go to the end of Morning Sky Court. Street dead-ends at entry to Fairway Hills Connector. Room for a couple of vehicles.
Silver Summit Parkway. (First southbound exit US-40) Unmarked, about 1/3 mile east of the church. Minimal roadside parking. Two singletracks head south. They join and connect to Round Valley Express DT. Further uphill, ST connects to Ramble On at mile 1.4.
Silver - Quinn TH. From Silver Summit Parkway just west of US-40, south on Highland Drive. Parking after road turns to gravel.
Old Ranch (Rambler) TH. From 224, go east on Old Ranch Road. Turn north as you approach the hill. Parking is on the east side of the road.