Looking east at Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, and Utah Lake from La Gringa. Review by Bruce on March 17, 2026.
Looking east at Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, and Utah Lake from La Gringa. Review by Bruce on March 17, 2026.
Lake Mountain Ridgeline Route
La Gringa, southern Bugs Bunny, Apollo

The trails on the eastern side of the Lake Mountain ridgeline are relatively new additions to the Eagle Mountain trail system. La Gringa, upper Bugs Bunny, and Apollo are all bi-directional, not strenuous to ride, and easier-intermediate in technical difficulty. The trails run in the north-south direction, hugging the hillside just east of the ridge.

La Gringa, upper Bugs Bunny, and Apollo can be linked together. Although in general the trails aim downhill as you ride north, there's a bit of mild up-and-down. And while there's a bit of climbing to get to these ridgeline trails, it's fairly mellow and gradual if you ride in the counter-clockwise direction (going northbound once you arrive).

The combination of La Gringa, southern (ridgeline) Bugs Bunny, and Apollo is 2.0 miles. The least complicated ride is a counterclockwise 6.2 mile loop, using the ridgeline trails northbound. (See the loop in the GPS window.) A well-rehearsed riding plan and a GPS-enabled trail app are necessities for newcomers. In spring 2026, many trails are still waiting for signposts. There are over 100 trail tracks in my area GPS file. So yes, it's a complex area and it's really easy to get lost.
While much of the ridgeline is grassy scrub, there are stretches of juniper forest that can be muddy in winter and early spring. Looking south.
While much of the ridgeline is grassy scrub, there are stretches of juniper forest that can be muddy in winter and early spring. Looking south.
Riding north on Apollo in mid-March 2026, with a bit of snow on the Oquirrh Mountains ahead.
Riding north on Apollo in mid-March 2026, with a bit of snow on the Oquirrh Mountains ahead.

Each of the three trails can be done individually via the multiple connecting trails on the western slope of Lake Mountain. For Apollo, I recommend Rock-a-Billy to Bugs Bunny, then forking left on Apollo in the rock garden at the ridgeline. For Bugs Bunny, take the same route but stay on Bugs Bunny for a clockwise ride. And with La Gringa, climb Crop Duster. Pick your return route when you arrive at the overlook area.

The terrain is a mixture of juniper forest and grassy hillside, with occasional sage and low scrub. The trail surface is mostly dirt. There are a few limestone rock outcrops to roll over -- or bang across in the uphill direction. A south-to-north ride is definitely easier, if that makes a difference to you.

There are almost constant views of Utah Lake and the mountains of the Wasatch Range to the east. The riding here feels different than the rest of Eagle Mountain's trails, and I highly recommend that you check it out.

See the trail notes sections below for further details!

Just starting uphill on La Gringa from Bugs Bunny when riding north to south. We're facing northeast as La Gringa curves around the torn-up Flintstone overlook area.
Just starting uphill on La Gringa from Bugs Bunny when riding north to south. We're facing northeast as La Gringa curves around the torn-up Flintstone overlook area.
Trailheads and connections
Parking lot, looking south. The trail you see behind the bathroom is Old Town Road. The trail at the far corner is the connector to Old Town and Rock-a-Billy.
Parking lot, looking south. The trail you see behind the bathroom is Old Town Road. The trail at the far corner is the connector to Old Town and Rock-a-Billy.
Hidden Hollow

The paved Hidden Hollow trailhead has a bathroom, water, and room for over 40 vehicles. Westbound on SR-73 from Redwood Road (11600 West) in Lehi or from the Mountain View Corridor, turn left at the stop light onto The Ranches Parkway. At Pony Express Parkway, turn right. The road will veer a bit south (left), then back west (right) as you get one mile from Ranches Parkway. At the traffic light before Hidden Hollow Elementary, turn left and drive uphill 0.3 miles. Turn left into the parking lot.

Connectors to Old Town Road and Rock-a-Billy can be found on the southeastern corner of the parking strip. A doubletrack across the road to the west will take you to the Hickman Hill loops (on your right after 1/4 mile) plus Creed and Brass Monkey northbound, or to Supersonic, Cracker Jack, and Given-to-Fly southbound (connectors are on your left starting in 0.2 miles).

On the day before the big event, a few teams have set up to pre-ride the race loop.
On the day before the big event, a few teams have set up to pre-ride the race loop.
Race Loop (rockpile) Parking: Westbound on Pony Express Parkway in Eagle Mountain, turn south and drive uphill past Hidden Hollow Elementary. Pass the main trailhead at 0.3 miles. When the pavement ends, keep as straight as possible southbound on dirt road through the construction area. Drive a mile up the dirt road. After you reach the top of a small rise and see another valley in front of you, there's a big rockpile on the left. The parking is the primitive open space south of the rockpile.

Deer Tracks is west of the parking area (across the dirt road), Cow Tracks (to Rock-a-Billy) heads northbound at the northeast corner where a dirt road leaves the parking area uphill.. Bugs Bunny is across from Cow Tracks, southbound. Dirt roads on the east and south connect to other singletrack trails.

Arriving at the top of Crop Duster, we find La Gringa across the ATV road.
Arriving at the top of Crop Duster, we find La Gringa across the ATV road.
Connections for the recommended loop ride

From the Hidden Hollow trailhead, cross the road and hook up with Given To Fly. Climb to the ridgeline and turn right onto Backspacer. Descend, cross the road and dip through the wash. Now turn left onto Crop Duster. At the top of Crop Duster, cross the doubletrack to La Gringa and you're on your way.

As you finish Apollo, descend Big Thunder to Hidden Canyon, then at the 5-way trail fork take the middle-left trail Rock-a-Billy (possibly dropping onto Old Town road later) back to the trailhead.

Heading up toward the doubletrack on Ridgeline to reach the northern end of Apollo.
Heading up toward the doubletrack on Ridgeline to reach the northern end of Apollo.
Clockwise loop ride

The navigation for this route is much more complex, and in spring 2026 the trail forks are NOT marked. From the Hidden Hollow trailhead, catch one of the connectors to Old Town Road or Rock-a-Billy and go north to a 5-way intersection just above the highway. Take the middle-right trail climbing uphill, which is Hidden Canyon. At the top of Hidden Canyon, cross the doubletrack then fork right on Ridgeline. Stay left on Ridgeline as Cow Tracks forks away and climb to the ridgeline doubletrack. Cross to Big Thunder and descend about 1/4 mile. Make a hard right onto Apollo at the spot where Big Thunder and Rocky Balboa are around 20 feet apart.

As you complete La Gringa at the south end of the ridge, you can cross over to Gunslinger, or climb the doubletrack to 411. There are multiple return-loop options. An on-trail navigation app is highly recommended.

Trail notes!
 
Apollo and Apollo connector
Northbound on Apollo. Much of Apollo is in juniper forest.
Northbound on Apollo. Much of Apollo is in juniper forest.
Apollo is the northernmost piece of the eastern ridgeline ride. It's a two-way trail although most riders will prefer to ride northbound. 

Apollo has the most slope of the three ridgeline trails, but drops only 100 vertical feet in 0.7 miles when done south to north. However most of that slope comes in a short stretch that will be a tough climb when the trail is dusty. So for both tech difficulty and navigation simplicity, I suggest riding it from the southern end northbound. Because of these steeper bits, I rate Apollo as intermediate.

In the spring, Apollo will stay muddy much longer than other Lake Mountain trails. A significant portion of the trail lies in clay dirt facing away from the winter sun and shaded by junipers. I expect that in a routine year, Apollo will be ready by late April or early May.

To the east, there are almost constant views of the Wasatch Range from Lone Peak down to Loafer Mountain. At the far north, you'll see Traverse Mountain (and the scar from the gravel mine) and a bit of the Wasatch above Salt Lake County. When the trail approaches the top of the ridge, you can see the Oquirrh Mountains. The city of Saratoga Springs and Utah Lake lie below you in the valley.

Looking across the junipers to Mount Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain and Provo Peak
Looking across the junipers to Mount Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain and Provo Peak
Origin of Apollo -- to your left -- after climbing up lower Bugs Bunny from the rockpile parking.
Origin of Apollo -- to your left -- after climbing up lower Bugs Bunny from the rockpile parking.
At its southern end, Apollo forks off Bugs Bunny in a rocky area on the ridge, just as Bugs Bunny arrives at the top. The trail fork is at mile 0.3 of the climb up from the rockpile (race loop) parking area, on your left, just before Road Runner forks away on the right.

The fork is a little easier to spot when riding Bugs Bunny northbound. The fork is 0.2 miles from the overlook area. Just watch for a big rock garden and some trail signposts. (In spring 2026, Apollo is not yet marked.)

There's also a connector trail, located further south on Bugs Bunny, that links it to southern Apollo. The connector is 0.2 miles long. It will be of interest to riders who are linking all three ridgeline trails.

If you're arriving via southern Bugs Bunny riding northbound, the connector is 0.5 miles from the Flintstone overlook and 0.1 miles from where you passed the overlook north of Paintball City.

Northbound, there's a trail crossover at mile 0.3 (0.4 if you came via the connector) for the expert DH trail Witch King. In spring 2026 the bottom of the Witch King trail isn't finished yet, so don't divert onto it.

Looking south from Apollo to show the Apollo connector fork.
Looking south from Apollo to show the Apollo connector fork.
Looking north as we approach a couple of short but steepish drops.
Looking north as we approach a couple of short but steepish drops.
The steep spot on Apollo is around the trail's midpoint. The elevation change is around 50 feet in 0.1 mile, but there are three short brisk drops -- or dusty slippery grunt climbs if riding southbound. This is also the area you can expect to be muddy in early spring.
At the northern end of Apollo you'll cross Rocky Balboa, then merge onto Big Thunder. From here you can descend through the trails above the bike park, but my suggestion is to descend through three turns and 0.3 miles on Ridgeline then head west toward the top of the Hidden Canyon trail. At the 5-way intersection, finish your return trip by taking the middle-left trail Rock-a-Billy (not marked in spring 2026).
Junction of Apollo with Rocky Balboa (cross it) and Big Thunder (veer right to join it).
Junction of Apollo with Rocky Balboa (cross it) and Big Thunder (veer right to join it).
Bugs Bunny (ridgeline section)
Bruce approaches the ridgeline on Bugs Bunny after a climb from the rockpile parking.
Bruce approaches the ridgeline on Bugs Bunny after a climb from the rockpile parking.
Bugs Bunny climbs from the rockpile (race staging) parking area to the ridgeline, then runs just east of the mountain's crest to the Flintstone overlook area. The trail is 1.0 miles long. The lower Bugs Bunny trail climbs 0.4 miles and 100 vertical feet to the Lake Mountain ridgeline, where there's a trail fork with Apollo (left) and Road Runner (right). Watch for the big rock garden.
The southern 0.6 miles of Bugs Bunny lies east of the ridgeline. Only this portion of Bugs Bunny is included in our "ridgeline" ride. In either direction, there's a gentle down-slope, then a gentle climb. The trail surface is smooth and non-technical. A stretch of rock garden as Bugs Bunny crosses the ridge of Lake Mountain raises an otherwise-easy trail to intermediate tech rating.
Southbound on Bugs Bunny, just after passing the overlook at Paintball City.
Southbound on Bugs Bunny, just after passing the overlook at Paintball City.
Looking northeast toward Saratoga Springs, Lone Peak (middle) and Box Elder (the tall peak on the right). Geneva Rock quarry is the yellow spot at far left.
Looking northeast toward Saratoga Springs, Lone Peak (middle) and Box Elder (the tall peak on the right). Geneva Rock quarry is the yellow spot at far left.
Southern Bugs Bunny runs mostly through grassy meadows, with an occasional visit to a juniper grove. You'll pass subtle connecting trails (listed from south to north) to Hunting Wabbit, Flintstone, the Paintball City overlook, then the Apollo Connector. If you arrive at a rock garden with the top of Roadrunner on your left, Apollo is to your right.
Again, take a minute to enjoy the views! That's why you came up here.
Mount Timpanogos (left) and Cascade Mountain (right) across Utah Lake.
Mount Timpanogos (left) and Cascade Mountain (right) across Utah Lake.
Looking north at Bugs Bunny. The jackrabbit sign indicates Paintball City. Hunting Wabbit branches from the road just past the tree on far left. La Gringa goes east from the lower right corner of this photo.
Looking north at Bugs Bunny. The jackrabbit sign indicates Paintball City. Hunting Wabbit branches from the road just past the tree on far left. La Gringa goes east from the lower right corner of this photo.
The junction between the south end of Bugs Bunny and La Gringa is not marked as of spring 2026. This spot can be confusing, as Flintstone, Paintball City, Hunting Wabbit, Jackrabbit, and Hog Rider all originate here as well. From the spot where two wide ATV tracks cross, look for the singletrack along the road edge that makes a 90-degree turn right where the roads cross. Bugs Bunny is the singletrack running north along the doubletrack to Paintball City and Hunting Wabbit. La Gringa is the eastbound singletrack, lying on the north side of the dirt road to the overlook.
La Gringa
Running along the ridge on La Gringa, enjoying a view of Utah Valley.
Running along the ridge on La Gringa, enjoying a view of Utah Valley.
La Gringa is the southernmost of the Lake Mountain ridgeline trails. It's 0.6 miles long with 100 vertical feet of elevation loss from south to north. There's a series of limestone rock outcrops near the southern end that might challenge less-strong riders coming from the north, but they're do-able. The outcrops raise the overall tech rating for La Gringa to intermediate, but the rest of the trail is quite easy.
The northern end of La Gringa meets the southern end of Bugs Bunny at the spot where the Flintstone overlook dirt road crosses the ridgeline dirt road. La Gringa goes east to curve around the overlook area, then crosses the Flintstone DH trail. If you're riding south on La Gringa (from Bugs Bunny toward Gunslinger/Cropduster), a couple of junipers may block your view of riders flying down Flintstone. Heads up, OK?

Stay level as you curve around the Flintstone ridge. Don't go up and don't go down. Stay flat as you cross the main trail and cheater lines.

The Flintstone crossing, heading southbound.
The Flintstone crossing, heading southbound.
Looking east from the main ridgeline doubletrack. Gunslinger is behind our backs. La Gringa will cross another doubletrack before settling into its northbound singletrack.
Looking east from the main ridgeline doubletrack. Gunslinger is behind our backs. La Gringa will cross another doubletrack before settling into its northbound singletrack.
On the southern end, La Gringa begins on the ridgeline ATV road, just across from the uphill ends of Cropduster and Gunslinger. Hopefully the trail-marking rocks will stay in place to guide you through the double doubletracks and onto nice trail.
Other than the Flintstone crossover, there's one other spot that needs a comment. 100 yards from the origin of La Gringa across the ridge doubletrack from Gunslinger/Cropduster, a trail forks away downhill to the right. Don't go there. This is Shooting Gallery and it's nasty. Nasty enough that I don't have a track for you, double-black plus morons with guns blasting away at the bottom. Keep left and level.
Looking south toward the rest of Lake Mountain from La Gringa.
Looking south toward the rest of Lake Mountain from La Gringa.
Bottom Line!
Northbound on La Gringa.
Northbound on La Gringa.
I highly recommend this route. It offers views that you won't see on other Eagle Mountain trails. While the riding is intermediate overall, the relatively mellow climbing and absence of tricky tech make this ride one that any experienced mountain biker can enjoy. I suggest going south to north. If you ride Eagle Mountain, you've gotta do this one!