Ann's Connector

View southwest as we climb uphill. Trail review August 1, 2013 by Bruce.

Ann's Connector
Maple Hollow to Ann's Trail

This short trail is a two-way trail that links western Ann's Trail to the Maple Hollow trailhead at the top of Suncrest. This is a smooth trail with a gentle rate of climb or descent. Ann's Connector is 1.1 miles in length.

Ann's Connector creates some loop opportunities. It provides the uphill return route from the Maple Hollow DH trail. Ann's Connector also allows riders to descend to Ann's Trail, ride a nice big loop through Corner Canyon, then climb back uphill.

More recently, Ann's Connector is used by riders who are heading to Traverse Mountain's trail system. After climbing the top of the hill on Traverse Traverse from westbound Ann's, riders can connect to the Mayors Trail or Mo-mentum.

From the Maple Hollow trailhead looking west, the left trail is Ann's Connector. The right trail descends to the Maple Hollow DH. To the left (out of the photo) is the route to Eagle Crest.

Trail view as we go through some deep maple forest.

This trail also ties to Eagle Crest on the south side of Traverse Mountain. After you climb up to the Maple Hollow trailhead from Ann's, just turn left on the broad cinder path. Pass under the road, then turn left for the Eagle Crest singletrack (your route to Vertigo, etc), or keep right for south Maple Hollow.

Recommended trailheads

Looking west from the sidewalk at the parking semi-circle.

Maple Hollow trailhead
The Maple Hollow trailhead provides direct access to Ann's Connector and the Maple Hollow DH trail. At the four-way stop at the top of Suncrest, get onto Deer Ridge Drive. Drive west for just under one mile. As you reach Deer Ridge trailhead, turn to the right at Elk Glen Drive instead of entering the trailhead. After 100 yards turn left into the Maple Hollow trailhead parking area. Ann's Connector is straight west past the kiosk.

There are no services at this trailhead.

Looking southwest at the bathroom area. The doubletrack on the left climbs up to the Beware of Doug loop.

Deer Ridge trailhead
The newer Deer Ridge trailhead offers more parking, plus bathrooms, picnic tables, and water (including a bike-washing and water-bottle filling station). To use this trailhead, go to the end of Deer Ridge Drive as above, but go into Deer Ridge trailhead and park. Find the singletrack that goes north to the Maple Hollow trailhead. It's located next to a picnic table on the northern edge of the parking strip.

Ann's Connector details

The surface is a smooth machine cut with a steady rate of climb. The elevation change is about 350 feet per mile. There are few rocks or roots to make things interesting. It's an easy ride.

Looking northwest over the Salt Lake Valley from higher on the mountain.

Looking uphill at the homes in Suncrest.

With the creation of the Traverse Mountain system, Ann's Connector is being used for a wide variety of loop and out-and-back rides.

When first built in 2013, the main use of this trail was an uphill route from the Maple Hollow DH. From the original trail description: At the bottom of Maple Hollow DH, go downhill a tad and hop the westbound BST (Bonneville Shoreline Trail) as it emerges from the underpass on the uphill side of Traverse Mountain Road. Climb through the gully and fork left on Ann's Trail at the ridge after 1/2 mile.

Keep climbing uphill on Ann's. The steepest section are now behind you. From here, the slope should be tolerable even on a gravity bike. At mile 2.1 from Traverse Mountain Road, fork hard left onto Ann's Connector. And at mile 3.2, you're at the trailhead. As you reach the kiosk, do a 180. Now take the trail to the right. That's the Maple Hollow DH.

We're approaching Ann's Trail, looking north over the valley.

Eagle Crest Trail, just after emerging from the underpass. That's Timpanogos on upper left.

For those who want to continue over to Eagle Crest, you'll be rewarded with a 2.8 mile jaunt on narrow singletrack. There are views of Utah Lake to the south-southwest, and Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain to the southeast.

Bottom Line!
Ann's Connector has opened up a lot of riding possibilities "on top of the mountain." While it's not an exciting ride by itself, it's a critical link in many heavily-used new routes.