Bald Mountain Backside Loop
This loop ties the Great Western Trail from Big Mountain Pass to Jeremy Ranch east of Parley's Summit, using the East Canyon Road and the Mormon Trail in Little Emigration Canyon to complete a 19.4-mile loop. This loop is for strong, experienced riders who can handle some stiff climbs and descend in occasional loose rock. Many bikers ride a portion of the Great Western, starting at Big Mountain Pass, as an out-and-back.

The Great Western has a lot of up-and-down. Although the altitude at the towers is 300 feet lower than that of Big Mountain Pass, you'll do almost 2000 vertical feet of climbing between these two points. The trail follows the ridges and mountain peaks that separate the Salt Lake valley from the Park City area. You'll climb over 5 hills, around 400 vertical feet each time. For the loop as described here, peak altitude is 7900 feet, bottom 6100. Total climbing will be around 3500 feet.

You can also ride the trail as an out-and-back from Big Mountain Pass to the microwave towers. This will be 15.2 miles. I've done this, and I think it's actually more work than dropping into the valley and climbing back up the Mormon Trail. But it's a really nice ride if you can handle it.

Much of the ridgeline ride is maple and aspen with an occasional fir. The understory features fern, mahogany, choke cherry, and elderberry. In open areas, there are mule's ear, lupine, and brush.

The area around Bald Mountain is rocky and rough. Around mid-day, a violent wind blows cross-wise over this ridgeline, adding to the challenge of riding. There are many tough granny-gear climbs. Probably the worst is coming back (northbound) up Bald Mountain if you're riding the trail as an out-and-back.

As the trail turns east towards Jeremy Ranch, the trees get bigger. You cruise downhill on a broad, shaded trail. The trail will touch on civilization at Moose Hollow, then move on northeast to the East Canyon Road on narrow singletrack over a brush-covered hillside.

Getting there, Jeremy's or Little Emigration Trailhead: Take I-80 eastbound from Salt Lake. Just after Parley's Summit, take the Jeremy Ranch exit and turn north (left) under the freeway. Keep straight onto Jeremy Ranch Drive and continue until the road turns sharply around to the right, where you'll see the dirt East Canyon Road branching the left. You can park here, or drive 4.9 miles up the dirt road until you see the parking area for the Mormon Trail (and picnic tables and a bathroom) on your left. GPS N 40° 48.944' W 111° 35.080'.

Getting there, Big Mountain Pass Trailhead:  On I-80 in Parley's Canyon, take the Little Dell Recreation Area (U-65) exit. From the exit, drive uphill 8 miles to the top of the pass, then park on the right side of the road at GPS N 40° 49.687' W 111° 39.244'. The trail begins on the far side of the parking area, heading uphill.

Ride notes, counter-clockwise loop from Big Mountain Pass:
0.0   At the far end of the parking lot, trail heads uphill
0.8   Crest ridge and begin first descent
1.5   Cross broad meadow of Mule's Ear
2.0   Crest ridge, 7900 ft, start descent to 7500
2.3   Stiff climb up to Bald Mountain
3.5   Top of Bald Mountain, 7900 ft, N 40° 47.547' W 111° 38.924'
        begin steep loose rock descent
4.5   Climb up from 7400 ft
5.0   Briefly join fire road, descend
5.1   Pass branching trail on R (descends ridge towards Little Dell)
        N 40° 46.418' W 111° 38.951'
6.0   Cross game trail on saddle, start climbing up again
6.5   At crest of hill, keep straight (L goes 0.2 to viewpoint)
        N 40° 45.783' W 111° 38.238'   Alt 7800
7.6   Microwave towers, singletrack goes to R of structures
        Joins gravel road
7.7   At first turn in road, hop singletrack on L, heading east
9.0   Fork "Main"gy Moose, turn R onto Switchback Trail
        N 40° 45.789' W 111° 36.009'
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