There are a lot of quick ups and downs, from a high of 5100 to a low of 4600 feet elevation. Total climbing at about 1300 for the full loop. The trail is typical Gooseberry singletrack meandering through the pinion and juniper, with lots of crunchy Shimarump conglomerate rock to navigate. It's modestly advanced technical, but can be handled by an intermediate with some short judiciously-chosen hikes.

There are many quick little turns, but not as many up-and-downs as other trails on Gooseberry. So overall, the riding here is not as technical -- it's a cruiser compared to most other rides on the Goose. However, the track is narrow, and the brush is a little close to your arms. Arm warmers might be a good idea if you have tender skin.

To reach the Windmill parking area, fork right at the outhouse and drive a mile north. The Windmill parking is usually near-empty while the Cattle Grate trailhead is overflowing with cars. (You can also park at the toilet to begin this loop.)

Start the ride by heading toward the windmill, then turn 90 degrees right (north) on the singletrack. 0.4 miles later, the trail turns left along the rim. Don't go left. Notice the fainter singletrack heading east on your. That's your trail.

Critical navigation area!
At the viewpoint (the wide area where the mesa road ends), cross over and take the middle doubletrack. (The one closer to the cliffs (furthest left) seems the logical choice, but it doesn't connect to the singletrack. It goes to the Gooseberry rental yurt -- see our review page ) Within 0.1 mile, find the singletrack heading south. It crosses the doubletrack three times. Once you're on the ST, just keep riding.

The trail constantly returns to the cliff edge for 8 miles, then begins a descent into a fork of Grafton Wash. Now you have a navigation decision. You can bail out on the DT at mile 8.5, or descend toward Grafton Wash for a slightly longer ride. The shortcut via the DT cuts a mile off the loop, and eliminates a tough climb up to the corral (see below).

NOTE: Until land-permission issues are worked out, I suggest you take the shortcut above and bypass the corral. This gives you a 12.5 mile ride, missing only a tiny bit of the singletrack.

If you went down into Grafton Wash, decide whether to head back via the corral, or to climb up to Grafton Mesa for a significantly-longer ride. (On your left, cairns mark a trail that continues left downhill. That trail crosses Grafton Wash to Grafton Mesa , with connections to the Grafton Mesa singletrack "social trails.") Another trail starts uphill by the end of the fence on your right. That's the one you want for the loop. Continue on DT after the corral. When you hit the mesa road, pedal 4.1 miles back to parking.

Getting there -- North: As you approach Zion National Park in Rockville, turn south (right) on Bridge Road. After crossing the Virgin River, the dirt road winds up the mesa. Keep left at the fork at 1.5 miles. Continue to a total of 6.2 miles, where you turn right at a sign "Gooseberry Mesa." Another 3.6 miles after the turnoff, take the right fork as you pass the outhouse. One mile later, you'll see a windmill on the left side of the road. Turn into the parking area at the windmill GPS N 37° 09.090' W 113° 09.973'.
Getting there -- South: As you pass through Hurricane heading east, turn right at the Highway 9 sign. (If you start exit town without making a right-turn, you went past it.) One block later, turn left and drive out of town. About 15 minutes later, you'll pass a gas station on the left-hand side, then some fields. Watch for a "Scenic Byway" sign, and turn left onto a dirt road. Two miles later, just as you reach the mountain, the Gooseberry Mesa road turns off on your left. Another 3.6 miles after the turnoff, take the right fork as you pass the outhouse. One mile later, you'll see a windmill on the left side of the road. Turn into the parking area at the windmill GPS N 37° 09.090' W 113° 09.973'.