View west from An Unexpected Journey toward Mount Timpanogos. Review by Bruce on August 25, 2023.
"An Unexpected Journey" is a two-way bike trail in the Coyote trail system. It links the northwest corner of the Coyote Loop ride to the higher traverse of Lonely Mountain. Opened in 2023, it creates new options for routes on the front side of the mountain.
The trail lies at 6700 feet elevation, traversing the hillside between northern Riverview (Coyote Loop) and Lonely Mountain with very little overall elevation change. Slopes are sun-exposed, so this trail will dry earlier in the season than those in the Cutthroat (Wile E Canyon) area. The expected riding season will be late May through October.
Rolling along the bench-cut of An Unexpected Journey.
Trailhead and Connections
Starting uphill on the UVU Connector trail from the UVU trailhead.
UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead
Most riders ride the Coyote-area trails from the UVU Trailhead. This trailhead is closest to both the beginner skills area trails (Lower Potatoes, Isengard) and the Mordor DH. It also provides rapid access to Riverview and the Coyote Loop. One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber on US 40), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk. A singletrack trail takes you uphill to Lower Riverview, Middle Earth, and the Riverview (Rivendell) Trail.
Most riders ride the Coyote-area trails from the UVU Trailhead. This trailhead is closest to both the beginner skills area trails (Lower Potatoes, Isengard) and the Mordor DH. It also provides rapid access to Riverview and the Coyote Loop. One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber on US 40), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk. A singletrack trail takes you uphill to Lower Riverview, Middle Earth, and the Riverview (Rivendell) Trail.
Looking uphill from the parking area off Highway 32
at 100 yards up the trail. Gentle turns such as these continue for the length
of the trail.
Riverview Trailhead
On US-40 just south of Jordanelle Reservoir, turn east at the traffic light on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into the Riverview subdivision on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right. That's your spot. This trailhead is the fastest access to Riverview and the Coyote Loop, Sheep Bones and Lower Riverview and isn't far from Upper Potatoes and Middle Earth.
On US-40 just south of Jordanelle Reservoir, turn east at the traffic light on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into the Riverview subdivision on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right. That's your spot. This trailhead is the fastest access to Riverview and the Coyote Loop, Sheep Bones and Lower Riverview and isn't far from Upper Potatoes and Middle Earth.
The Coyote trailhead. Take the
singletrack east for connections to Coyote, Lower Riverview, Sheep Pen,
and Upper Riverview.
Coyote South Trailhead
Two miles south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32, turn east (toward the mountain) on Coyote Lane. Just after the road crosses a canal, turn left into the parking lot. The singletrack starts at the northeast corner at the step-over, where you'll also find a repair stand and a kiosk with a trail map. The Coyote singletrack takes you uphill. After merging with the gravel road to cross the bridge, veer left onto singletrack. As you climb uphill, find your target trail (Sheep Pen, Riverview) or continue uphill on the Coyote Loop.
Two miles south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32, turn east (toward the mountain) on Coyote Lane. Just after the road crosses a canal, turn left into the parking lot. The singletrack starts at the northeast corner at the step-over, where you'll also find a repair stand and a kiosk with a trail map. The Coyote singletrack takes you uphill. After merging with the gravel road to cross the bridge, veer left onto singletrack. As you climb uphill, find your target trail (Sheep Pen, Riverview) or continue uphill on the Coyote Loop.
Here's the climb-over at the trailhead, with the
connector trail on the left.
Cutthroat Trailhead
The Cutthroat trailhead is 4 miles east of US 40 on SR 32. On the south (uphill) side of the road, there's a strip of dirt parking along the fence with room for 8 to 10 cars. A climb-over wooden ladder is your access to the connector trail, which takes you uphill to Wile E Canyon and its associated trails or Coyote.
The Cutthroat trailhead is 4 miles east of US 40 on SR 32. On the south (uphill) side of the road, there's a strip of dirt parking along the fence with room for 8 to 10 cars. A climb-over wooden ladder is your access to the connector trail, which takes you uphill to Wile E Canyon and its associated trails or Coyote.
An Unexpected Journey Trail
Looking southwest from the ridgeline trail fork where An Unexpected Journey leaves the Riverview West section of the Coyote Loop.
The northern entry to An Unexpected Journey is on the "West Riverview" segment of the Coyote Loop, at the spot where the trail crosses a ridgeline. When riding clockwise, this is at mile 2.5 of West Riverview (2.8 from the Riverview trailhead). Going the other way, it will be at mile 1.8 from the Coyote loop fork (2.2 from the Cutthroat trailhead).
The trail is 1.6 miles long, with some up-and-down riding
totaling around 100 vertical feet. The southern end is on Lonely
Mountain, at the point where the series of switchback turns gives way
to a long traverse as Lonely Mountain heads southeast toward Chop'd
Coyote.
View south as the trail contours the hillside in sage meadow.
View southwest along the Provo River toward Deer Creek Reservoir and Cascade Mountain.
The terrain is mostly sage on a fairly steep side-slope. There will be occasional small stands of gambel oak, with rare groves of maple. There are constant views to the west over the Heber Valley.
The trail is a modern bench-cut with frequent short up-and-downs to shed water. There's an occasional bump that's suitable for a small jump.
Taking a quick climb as we ride south.
Coming in for a landing on a small jump.
A loop ride from the Riverview trailhead is 8 miles and 850 vertical feet. This is the shortest ride that uses An Unexpected Journey. Climb the connector 0.3 miles to West Riverview and fork left. At the top of the ridge 2.5 miles later, turn right onto An Unexpected Journey. At Lonely Mountain, fork right downhill. Pass the two entrances to Smaug on your left. At Riverview, turn right and stay to the right on Riverview past Upper Potatoes and Sheep Bones on your left.
Map of northern side of the Coyote System.
Getting there, Riverview Trailhead:
On US-40 just south of Jordanelle Reservoir, turn east at the traffic light on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into the Riverview subdivision on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right. That's your spot. Take the trailhead connector 0.3 miles uphill. Turn right to reach An Unexpected Journey via Riverview clockwise, or left to take Riverview to Lonely Mountain for a counter-clockwise ride. No camping, water, or services at the trailhead.
UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead:
On US-40 one mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber on US 40), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk. A singletrack trail takes you uphill to Lower Riverview, Middle Earth, and the Riverview (Rivendell) Trail.
On US-40 just south of Jordanelle Reservoir, turn east at the traffic light on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into the Riverview subdivision on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right. That's your spot. Take the trailhead connector 0.3 miles uphill. Turn right to reach An Unexpected Journey via Riverview clockwise, or left to take Riverview to Lonely Mountain for a counter-clockwise ride. No camping, water, or services at the trailhead.
UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead:
On US-40 one mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber on US 40), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk. A singletrack trail takes you uphill to Lower Riverview, Middle Earth, and the Riverview (Rivendell) Trail.
