Winter Rides

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Winter "Dirt" Rides -- a few selected off-season choices for non-fat bikers
Riding may NOT be possible unless the weather cooperates! Always check conditions!

Ogden Area Winter Trails

	Antelope Island. East Shore singletrack; Shoreline Trail singletrack; Whiterock Bay and Split Rock Bay doubletracks -- Antelope Island offers a lot of options. Intermediate technical, with some climbing on Whiterock and Split Rock. Lots of lake views. Season year-round, may be unrideable for a few days after a heavy snowstorm.
	Bonneville Shoreline - Kaysville. Nice broad singletrack in foothills of Kaysville. Intermediate technical, some mild climbing. Hot in summer afternoons. Usual season March through November, most sections frequently snow-free in winter, expect to hike-a-bike through the snow about 1/4 mile in the three canyons.
	Bonneville Shoreline - Ogden. Broad track along the mountains east of Ogden. Intermediate technical, some easy technical, moderate climbing. Hot in summer afternoons. Usual season March through November, open in winter after a few warm sunny days, occasional spots of deep snow to hike.
	Farmington Bay. Broad smooth cinder roadways on dikes in the waterfowl management area. CLOSED to everybody from April through July to let ducks nest. Easy technical, no climbing. Season August 1 through March 31. Usually easily ridden despite snow -- flat, broad, cindered base. Watch out for goathead thorns!

Logan Area

Logan River Trail. Broad cindered path along the Logan River in lower Logan Canyon. Gradually sloping broad-track lower half, may occasionally be drifted out. Follow packed snow of foot-traffic. Singletrack upper half usually not open in winter. Mild climb. Usual season March through November.

Salt Lake City Area Winter Trails

	Bonneville Shoreline Trail - northern SLC. Mix of doubletrack and singletrack from City Creek around to Emigration Canyon, following the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, just above the valley. Section from Emigration to the University usually easy riding except immediately after heavy snow. Northern half from Dry Creek to City Creek is hit-or-miss depending on storms, with a few hike-it sections. Moderate climbing.
	Bonneville Shoreline - southern SLC. Singletrack from Willow Park near Little Cottonwood Canyon to Corner Canyon Road in Draper. Runs along the side of the mountain a few hundred feet above the valley floor. Intermediate technical, a couple of tough spots. A few short sections in shaded canyons that must be hiked. Some stiff climbs are difficult when wet.
	Butterfield Canyon. Long hill-climb to a view over the Bingham Canyon copper mine. Part pavement, part gravel road. Very significant climb, easier technical, but downhill on loose gravel and rock requires good control. Upper elevations will be often snow-packed; follow 4-wheeler tread.
	Germania Dirt Trail. This little dirt loop is (as far as I know) the only official dirt singletrack on the floor of Salt Lake Valley. It's brand new. So what's it good for? Winter riding. Family rides. Beginners. Cyclocross practice. The trail is accessed from the Jordan River Parkway in Murray.
	Stansbury Island Mountain Bike Trail. Narrow singletrack climbs over rocky mountain on the Great Salt Lake's Stansbury Island. Significant climb, intermediate to advanced technical. Views overlooking west, south, and east. Lower altitude, southern exposure dries quickly after storms. First climb over ridgeline may have deeper snow requiring hike-a-bike.
	Yellow Fork. Follow ATV-track to picnic area 2 miles in Rose Canyon. Weather permitting, singletrack parallels the DT -- avoid climbing over the loop in winter. Singletrack is intermediate technical, but roots and rough spots are tricky in winter.

Utah Valley Area Winter Trails

	Bonneville Shoreline - Orem Section. Includes Orem Bench Trail. Short (2 mile) singletrack section along the foothills at the base of Timpanogos, heading from Orem water plant to Pleasant Grove; doubletrack heads into Provo Canyon, if snowpack permits you can sometimes descend into Canyon Glen.
	Bonneville Shoreline - Provo City. Broad trail, usually doubletrack, contouring along the mountains above Provo from Rock Canyon to Slate Canyon. Follows the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville. Easier technical, a little climbing, lower altitude. Hot in afternoons. Cindered firm base holds when when wet or snow-covered.
	Five-mile Pass. ATV-track loop west of Lehi used for bike races, often clear to ride in winter. Juniper and sage with some views. Frequent but short stiff climbs. Loose rock makes this an upper-intermediate trail. Snow usually isn't deep here. Descent off the Wall (Yellow Page Hill) can be dangerous when snow-covered.
	Hog Hollow. 4-wheel roadway climbs from Alpine to the top of Traverse Ridge. Usually hardpacked in winter (within a day or two after a major storm), this is a local favorite for winter-time riding. In summer easy technical; in winter advanced. Season anytime.
	Lambert Park. 11 miles of singletrack loops on Alpine City land at the base of East Mountain. Views of Lone Peak and Dry Creek Canyon. Upper-intermediate technical, some loops involve a bit of climbing. Spring Trail usually drifts over in late December, upper Ziggy and Rodeo Trails often unrideable in January. Main loop (River and Middle Trails) gets cut through rapidly by local riders even after heavy storms.
	Mountain Ranch Bike Park (Eagle Mountain). With a large skills area, pump track, jump line, and DH trails with man-made stunts, Eagle Mountain's bike park is the biggest and best in Utah. Located in Eagle Mountain just up the hill from Redwood Road, it's easy to get there from Salt Lake or Utah County. DH trails are shaded, and may be snowbound in mid-winter.

Cedar City Area Winter Trails

	Red Mountain. Twisty technical singletrack in sawtooth terrain on the edge of Cedar City. Advanced technical, some rough climbs but not much altitude gain overall. Some snow in shaded areas, best after a couple of weeks between storms.
	Three Peaks Trail System. Series of connected loops located on granite mountains west of Cedar City. Three loops vary from 5 miles upper-beginner to 10 miles advanced. Rock in picnic-camping area open to riding for stunts, drops, tech challenges. Race Loop and Big Hole usually OK. Three Peaks (big loop) has some hazards that make it dicey when snow-covered.

Central & San Rafael Winter Trails

	Black Dragon Wash. Doubletrack long downhill with shuttle, terminating in impressive ride through narrows of Black Dragon Canyon. Option of out-and-back from lower trailhead through best area of ride. Large slickrock area with view deep into canyon. Easy-intermediate technical. Season late April through November.. Doubletrack long downhill with shuttle, terminating in impressive ride through narrows of Black Dragon Canyon. Option of out-and-back from lower trailhead through best area of ride. Large slickrock area with view deep into canyon. Easy-intermediate technical. Expect snow in the deep canyon even when open areas are clear.
	Dee Pass Loop. Loop in the desert south of Green River combines singletrack, dirt road, and ATV track. Intermediate technical. Occasional moderate climbing. Remote area. Trail may be impossible to follow when snow-covered.
	Iron Wash. Sampler of San Rafael riding, with doubletrack, desert singletrack, and very technical (rough) slickrock singletrack. We describe an 18.4-mile loop using the Blue Trail and a portion of the Red Trail, alternate connecting trails (Red Trail, Green Trail, Orange Trail, Five Miles of Hell). Advanced technical overall; reserved for strong, conditioned, skilled riders. Technical areas of Red Trail hazardous with snow.
	Nine Mile Canyon. Dirt road through scenic canyon, very gradual slope. Excellent for family rides. Indian rock-art, pioneer homestead ruins, banded sandstone cliffs. Ride as long out-and-back (46 miles or more), point-to-point with support vehicle accompanying bikes 6 to 23 miles), or park-and-explore.
	Temple Mountain. Doubletrack route offers two loop rides: around Temple Mountain and west of the San Rafael Reef, or through the Reef and around the mountain. Uranium mines, views. Moderate climbing with some steep sections, intermediate technical, length around 10 miles. Usually OK even with loose snow cover.

Moab Area Winter Trail Recommendations

	Bartlett Wash. Short climb onto Entrada sandstone north of Moab. Broad playground area, stunts and hairy stuff as well as easy mellow riding. Short climb, intermediate technical. Rock is exposed to sun and clears of snow rapidly.
	Gemini Bridges. Gravel road from Highway 191 to the Gemini Bridges. Easier technical but a few stiff climbs.
	Gold Bar Rim. After 4.3 miles on the Gemini Bridges road, this trail becomes technical, climbing fun technical rock to fantastic views of Gold Bar Canyon and the Gold Bar Rim. Moderate climbing, advanced technical. Suggest out-and-back when snow is present -- to loop down Poison Spider or Portal is highly dangerous.
	Hurrah Pass. Easier ride with shorter or longer options, on dirt road. First 6 miles are gravel, rideable even in snow. Great views, nice "date ride" or family ride. Moderate climbing. Season year-round.. Easier ride with shorter or longer options, on dirt road. First 6 miles are gravel, rideable even in snow. Great views, nice "date ride" or family ride. Moderate climbing. Season year-round.
	Klondike Bluffs. Mostly doubletrack, short singletrack, then short hike to viewpoint overlooking Arches National Park's Klondike Bluffs. Intermediate technical, two short climbs. Usually easy to ride, snow clears from slickrock areas within a couple of days of storms.
	Prostitute Butte. Sandy doubletrack ride south of Moab. Easier technical, but some areas of deep sand. Connects to Behind the Rocks and Pritchett Canyon, Kane Creek. Snow allowing, can be ridden year-round.
	Slickrock Trail. World's most famous bike trail, one mile east of Moab on Navajo sandstone. Practice Loop for new riders. Advanced technical, strenuous with moderate long climbs and some short brute climbs. Steeps are hazardous when snow-covered or wet-appearing (ice).
	Sovereign Singletrack. Awesome singletrack through desert, open rock, ledges. Some views. For the advanced or strong intermediate rider, moderately strenuous. Options for loop, out-and-back, point-to-point. Season late February through November.. Awesome singletrack through desert, open rock, ledges. Some views. For the advanced or strong intermediate rider, moderately strenuous. Options for loop, out-and-back, point-to-point.

St. George Area Winter Recommendations

	Bearclaw PoppyTrail. Singletrack winds around the mesa from Green Valley to Bloomington. Famous Three Fingers of Death, acid drops with Clavicle Hill, and Roller Coaster. Easier technical with some short "walkable" sections of advanced technical. Light climb. Option of combining this trail with a ride to Stucki Springs. Never has snow.
	Broken Mesa Rim. Awesome technical downhill singletrack. For skilled riders, full suspension recommended. Moderate initial climb then long downhill. Loop or point-to-point with shuttle. Rare dusting of snow on the upper portion.
	Gooseberry Mesa. Fantastic riding area on a mesa southwest of Zion National Park. Singletrack and slickrock, stunts, fun technical stuff. Advanced technical. Only brief sprint-type climbs. The mesa DOES see snow, technical sections can be treacherous when snow-covered. Recommended season February through mid-December, riding OK after a week of sunshine mid-winter.
	Gould's Rim - J.E.M. - Hurricane Rim Loop Trail. 21-mile singletrack running from the cliffs above Hurricane along Gould's Wash. Links to top of J.E.M. trail for option of long loop using Hurricane Rim Trail. Light climbing. Some narrow twisting undulating singletrack makes this upper-intermediate tech. Best a few days after a storm -- occasional snow on upper elevations near Gooseberry Mesa.
	Paradise Canyon. Short loop north of St. George. Features the easier Turtle Wall trail along the sandstone. Links to other trails in the Red Cliffs Desert Preserve. A little climbing, intermediate technical overall. Season year-round, never sees snow.
	Prospector Trail. This intermediate-technical trail runs along cliffs from Leeds to Washington. Dirt singletrack, little climbing. Connects to Church Rocks. Season year-round, snow-free.
	Raceway at GreenValley. This race loop starts in the valley between the Bearclaw Poppy trailhead and Green Valley, just southwest of St. George. Moderate climb, intermediate technical. No snow.
	Warner Valley. Two loops, 6 miles easier technical (Honeymoon Loop), 11 miles upper-intermediate (Warner Valley Loop), mostly singletrack in the desert of Warner Valley. Little climbing, fairly high-speed ride. Located 15 miles east of St. George or 15 miles south of Hurricane. No snow.