Eagle Crest at Traverse Ridge

From the top of Maple Hollow on the western end of the trail, we're looking east at Mount Timpanogos. Original ride review by Bruce in 2008 with latest update April 26, 2022.

Eagle Crest

The Eagle Crest trail is a key part of Draper's excellent trail system. It runs 2.6 miles east-to-west just below the southern edge of Traverse Mountain, and is the key to riding the trails on the south slope. Eagle Crest extends from the Maple Hollow (Deer Ridge) trailhead to Suncrest Drive near the Traverse Ridge saddle. While not actually in Corner Canyon , it's part of that trail system.

Eagle Crest is the key to multiple riding loops on the south side of Traverse Mountain, with connections to the two-way trails Maple Hollow South , Maple Hollow connector, Woods Hollow , Mercer Hollow and Mercer Mountain Downhill flow trails accessed from Eagle Crest include Zooropa, Vertigo and Levitate , plus Rattle and Hum .

Descending toward Suncrest Drive on the eastern end of the trail.

View south toward Utah Lake riding westbound on Eagle Crest.

From the western end of Eagle Crest, the Ann's Connector trail descends to western Ann's Trail At the Maple Hollow trailhead you can also connect directly to the Maple Hollow DH .

The middle of Eagle Crest hits the Eagle Crest Trailhead on Traverse Ridge Road.

And on the eastern end, the Edelweiss trail connects Eagle Crest to eastern Ann's . This creates a continuous 8.4-mile loop of singletrack around Traverse Mountain with Eagle Crest, Edelweiss, Ann's Trail, and Ann's Connector (counterclockwise). At this eastern end of Eagle Crest you can also connect to the Mercer Hollow and Mercer Mountain trails.

Eagle Crest Trail

Eagle Crest is a nice ride by itself. But most riders are here only because of what Eagle Crest connects to. Eagle Crest is the link to the top of four downhill flow trails when riding loops on the south side of Traverse Mountain.

We've just exited the underpass on a west-to-east ride. Straight ahead is Maple Hollow South. Eagle Crest goes left (eastbound) here.

View southwest at Utah Lake as we skirt Maple Hollow in this 2013 photo.

The western end of Eagle Crest is 200 feet higher than the eastern, with about 350 vertical feet of climbing when done east-to-west. The top altitude is around 6000 feet. The usual riding season will be late April through November.

The Eagle Crest trail is early-intermediate with no significant tech challenges. The base is broad, although trailside weeds may encroach at some times of the season. Over the years, a few rocks are beginning to appear on the riding surface.

Riding eastbound toward the Eagle Crest trailhead, we've got a view of Timpanogos (middle) and Cascade Mountain (right).

View of Lone Peak (left) and Box Elder (right) from Eagle Crest as we approach Suncrest Drive.

Eagle Crest is easy aerobically, with steady gentle pitches on climbing and descents. It rides equally well in either direction, but is very slightly more work when done east to west.

The terrain is a mixture of grass meadows and stands of gambel oak with occasional maples. There are almost-constant expansive views of Utah Valley to the south.

A nice shady stretch of trail. Most of the trail is exposed with views to the south, but there is some forest riding.

Looking west, we see Eagle Crest meandering along the slope heading for the underpass that leads to the Maple Hollow trailhead.

The trail can be done from the Maple Hollow trailhead on Deer Ridge Road (see below) as an out-and-back of 5 miles with 450 vertical feet of climbing. You can also access the trail from its midpoint at the Eagle Crest Trailhead for a ride in either direction. (Just west of the Eagle Crest trailhead, the new Vertigo and Levitate downhill trails branch off of the Eagle Crest trail.)

There are many loop options using Eagle Crest. See the Edelweiss trail page for an 8.4 mile loop around the mountain using Ann's Trail The most popular loops however, use the downhill flow trails. Riders climb Woods Hollow or Maple Hollow to Eagle Crest, traverse a bit, then plunge down their choice of Rattle and Hum , Vertigo, Levitate, or Zooropa Another nice loop is to combine Mercer Hollow with westbound Fango and connect back to Eagle Crest via Woods Hollow.

Little Rocky leans on a trail sign as we head eastbound. To the right is the connector to Maple Hollow South, 1/2 mile from the trailhead. From here, we'll pedal east on Eagle Crest toward the downhill flow trails.

Here Eagle Crest drops to the sidewalk. While Edelweiss is just across the road here, it's recommended that you pedal up the sidewalk to the formal crossing (with the lights across the road) at Edge Road.

When Eagle Crest ends on Suncrest Drive, bikers can find their way to the Peak View trailhead area via the Edelweiss trail. Popular options from the Peak View trailhead include Rush , Ann's , Brock's Point and Canyon Hollow The Peak View and Three Falls trails can take you all the way to Alpine. On the south slope, there are the Mercer Hollow and Mercer Mountain trails, just across the road from Eagle Crest.

Eagle Crest Ride Notes

West to East

From the Maple Hollow (Deer Crest) Trailhead parking, turn left downhill (south) just after leaving the sidewalk. Descend through the tunnel. Turn left (east) as Maple Hollow South forks downhill. In 0.3 miles, keep straight as a trail from the road joins. At 0.5 miles, again keep straight and level as the Maple Hollow South Connector forks right downhill.

Zipping westbound through gambel oak on the eastern side of the trail in this older photo. The current trail has a much broader path

Looking southwest. Here the trail hugs grassy "rehab" hillsides below the homes of Suncrest.

At mile 0.9 you'll reach the first of the DH flow trails, Zooropa Next at mile 1.0 are the entries to Vertigo and Levitate The second right-hand trail, a 180-degree turn, is Levitate , an expert-level jumping trail.
At mile 1.2, approach the fence of the Eagle Crest trailhead, but turn right and ride around the fence to the south side.

Ride past the entry to the two-way Woods Hollow trail at mile 1.7.

At mile 2.5, you're riding north along Suncrest Drive (the road to Traverse Ridge from Utah County). For the loop ride, continue on sidewalk to the light and cross. For Mercer Hollow cross and go to the south side of Canyon Pointe Drive.

Beginning the final descent to Suncrest Drive, looking southwest in this 2013 photo.

Climbing over a rise on Eagle Crest.

Bottom Line:
Great trail for many types of ride, from beginner's cruise to long pedal-fest loops to flaming downhills. Great views. Worth your time no matter what type of ride you're looking for!
For more information on rides that include Eagle Crest, see the trail pages for
- Maple Hollow South
- Woods Hollow / Rattle and Hum
- Zooropa, Vertigo and Levitate
- Mercer Hollow / Mercer Mountain
- Fango
- Edelweiss
- Ann's Connector

Getting there...
From I-15 in Salt Lake City, take the Bluffdale exit and head east on Highland Drive toward the mountains. As you reach the traffic light at the top of the hill, about 3/4 mile after leaving the freeway, turn right on Traverse Ridge Road. Drive about two miles up to the top of the mountain to the stop sign.
From Utah County, get on the Timpanogos Highway. At the Lehi-Highland border, go north on Highland Blvd at the big stop light east of Smiths. This will become Suncrest Drive as it enters Draper. Climb to the stop sign at the top of the hill.
Deer Ridge or Maple Hollow trailheads: At the stop sign in Suncrest, get on Deer Ridge Drive (right turn from SLC, straight from Utah Co). Go 0.9 miles. Just before the entry into the Deer Ridge trailhead parking, turn right onto Elk Glen Drive and after 100 yards turn left to park at the small picnic area. The wide trail to the left will take you down and under the road to Eagle Crest. If you parked at Deer Ridge, take the singletrack connector on the north side of parking to Maple Hollow then turn left to go downhill to Eagle Crest.
Eagle Crest trailhead: From the hill-top stop sign above, go south on Traverse Ridge Road (straight from SLC, left turn from Utah Co). To to the end of the road and park.

Riding Resources:
GPS track files for download (Right-click and "Save as..."):
    Corner Canyon area multi-track file
Higher-res satellite map for printing:
     View Mercer Hollow map
     High-res Suncrest
Lodging, camping, shops:     Links to southern SLC resources

Click for Corner Canyon area trails overview page
Updated 2013, 2016 and 2022.