View north from Bill's Sandy near the western end. Photos and ride description by Bruce on May 22, 2017.
Bill's Sandy
Bill's Sandy is a short trail in the Wood Hill riding area north of Price. It's not a stand-alone ride, but is a fun and quick option while playing around in the area. The trail is 1.2 miles long, tilting gently downhill from east to west (the trail is designed to ride in this direction). It's a very easy cruise, but with some stunts built in as options.
If you don't know the area, the trail is easy to find by taking Solis Way north from the new
Wood Hill trailhead. Bill's Sandy will cross after 0.8 miles, just before
you'd reach the cliff
edge and
Luke's
Trail
Turn right on Bill's and pedal to the north end, then turn around and ride it.
Looking north as we ride out of the Wood Hill parking area to Solis Way (across the doubletrack).
Winding through juniper on the way to Bill's.
For riders who know the area, you can take Luke's Trail. From the end of Solis Way, turn right
along the cliff edge on Luke's. When you reach the fence and the cattleguard
ride-over, turn
right on Dick's Cutoff. Just before you reach the dirt road, Bill's Sandy
will fork to the
right.
A nice option -- but harder to navigate -- is to ride the Luke's Loop counterclockwise to Bill's.
At the junction of Solis Way and Luke's, turn left. When Luke's ends,
keep straight on the
doubletrack until you find
Knott Pete's Rim
across Wood Hill road.
Fork left on Smo' Joes when you reach the Knott Pete's-Wyatt's Way intersection. When Smo' Joes reaches the cattleguard (with Therapy continuing straight), turn left on the broad trail out to the road. Cross the road to Dick's Cutoff, then fork left when you reach Bill's.
Typical trail on the eastern end. Dirt ribbon winding through juniper, with an occasional pinion.
Redneck artwork along the trail for your viewing pleasure.
The trail...
The trail begins with twisting but easy turns in the junipers. There's not much rock work here. And I found that, despite the name, the trail surface wasn't "Sandy" but was firm and easy to ride.
The trail begins with twisting but easy turns in the junipers. There's not much rock work here. And I found that, despite the name, the trail surface wasn't "Sandy" but was firm and easy to ride.
The trail has an almost-imperceptible but steady slope, dropping 150 vertical feet over 1.2
miles. Some areas were very slightly trenched due to the fall-line orientation
of the trail.
As you ride along, man-made stunts invite you to try something. (No guarantees here. Wood structures deteriorate, so you may not find the stuff you're seeing in my photos.)
As you ride along, man-made stunts invite you to try something. (No guarantees here. Wood structures deteriorate, so you may not find the stuff you're seeing in my photos.)
Approaching a ladder rollover.
Love teeter totters, but they tend not to last long.
Bill's Sandy ends on the western side of Luke's Trail. A right turn takes you toward the cliff,
where the northern side of Alan's Alley joins Luke's going eastbound.
This is your route if
you're looking to do another run.
Area map
Getting there:
Eastbound on US 6, take the first Price exit. Turn left and enter town on 100 North. About a mile after leaving the freeway, turn left (north) onto 300 East. Drive to 900 North and turn left. The road will turn to dirt and/or narrow asphalt, and will veer right and climb the mesa.
Classic trailhead: One-half mile later at the top of the mesa, just after passing the mound of dirt that hides the city water tank, fork left (west) and proceed 100 yards to a primitive parking area. the trail begins on the west side.
Wood Hill trailhead: On the dirt road, drive to the top of the mesa as above, but continue north another 1/2 mile. The prominent trailhead is on your left.
GPX area file with individual trail tracks
Maps for printing:
Luke's topo (area of loop)
Full area topo
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to Price area resources
Eastbound on US 6, take the first Price exit. Turn left and enter town on 100 North. About a mile after leaving the freeway, turn left (north) onto 300 East. Drive to 900 North and turn left. The road will turn to dirt and/or narrow asphalt, and will veer right and climb the mesa.
Classic trailhead: One-half mile later at the top of the mesa, just after passing the mound of dirt that hides the city water tank, fork left (west) and proceed 100 yards to a primitive parking area. the trail begins on the west side.
Wood Hill trailhead: On the dirt road, drive to the top of the mesa as above, but continue north another 1/2 mile. The prominent trailhead is on your left.
Water: no
Camping: primitive, none near trailhead
Toilet: Wood Hill trailhead
GPX area file with individual trail tracks
Maps for printing:
Luke's topo (area of loop)
Full area topo
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to Price area resources
