Panguitch Race Loop

Climbing toward the limestone cliffs through ponderosa forest.

Panguitch Race Loop

The Panguitch (Red Canyon) Race Loop is a NICA course located on the Casto Canyon road southwest of Panguitch. The trail lies at 7100 feet elevation, for an expected riding season of mid-May through October. The trail flows well and allows high speeds. This review based on a ride July 10, 2024. It assumes you'll arrive as a recreational rider -- rather than a NICA racer.

The loop incorporates three very different types of terrain: widely spaced pine forest on the eastern side, sage flats on the north and south, and rolling hills of juniper and pinion on the western side.

While it doesn't have the close-up breathtaking rock formations of the nearby Casto or Losee Canyon rides, it has its own wild beauty.

On the western side of the loop, the trail twists over knolls through pinion and juniper.

Heading back east toward the cliffs through a sagebrush flat.

Typical for a NICA race course, the loop is 5.8 miles long, incorporating a bit of doubletrack and dirt road to facilitate shakeout and passing. There are no long or steep climbs, but up-and-down riding brings the total climbing to 400 feet.

I rode the loop counterclockwise from the Casto Canyon trailhead, and my description is based on that. The dirt-road sections, and the overall layout, suggest that the races will also run counterclockwise.

The trail surface is smooth and is suitable for beginning riders. Turns are banked uphill and down. There are no steep pitches or challenges.

The loop can be easily combined with a run up Casto Canyon, which shares a trailhead. You can make this ride bigger by looping around at the top and descending Losee Canyon before pedaling a mile back on the gravel road.

Twisting around, up and down, through pinion pine.

Trailheads and access

Looking northeast toward Casto Canyon from the entry to the parking area on the west side of the road.

Casto Canyon trailhead
From US-89 south of Panguitch, drive 2.9 miles east on U-12 (towards Bryce Canyon National Park). Turn left on the gravel road marked for Casto Canyon. Drive 3 miles. Parking is on your left. The bathroom -- and the Casto Canyon trail -- is across the gravel road. To hop on the race loop, pedal north on the gravel road for around 100 yards, then veer to the right. When you see singletrack leading to a roll-over cattleguard, you've found the trail.

Looking north over the staging zone, as you'd see it when arriving on the Casto Canyon road.

Race staging area
Get onto the Casto Canyon road as above. Pass the Losee Canyon trailhead, then at mile 2.5 you'll see a broad open area on the left side of the road. The race loop will exit the northeast corner of the team prep area as a wide doubletrack back to the gravel road. The broad path on the northwest corner is the return spur for finishers.

Race loop from Casto Canyon TH (counterclockwise)

This is how you know you found it! Entry to the race loop trail, just north of the Casto Canyon horse-loading area.

From the Casto Canyon trailhead parking, go out to the gravel Casto Canyon road and turn left (north). Go past the horse-loading ramps and the corral, then veer to the right as the main road begins to turn left. The broad path quickly turns to singletrack as it approaches a roll-over cattleguard.

The trail will now meander along the slopes below the Claron Formation limestone cliffs, climbing slowly as the trail works northward. The trail runs on orange dirt through a forest of large pinions and long-leaf pines, with frequent manzanita along the trail.

The trail winds back and forth as it climbs. Here, we're heading temporarily south.

Easy riding!

At around mile 1, the trail turns to the west and descends. It will cross a dirt road, then continue gently downhill to the west in a large sage brush meadow.

At around mile 1.5 the trail hooks around to the left and begins to climb again. It heads south-southeast until it hits a dirt-road intersection at mile 1.8. Continue straight at the intersection, then quickly turn to the right on continuing singletrack.

Heading south as the trail skirts a small knoll.

The doubletrack sections are usually straight-forward. Easy to see which direction to turn as you join, and easy to spot the singletrack as it forks away.

After 1/4 mile, the singletrack dumps onto a small doubletrack. Keep to the right and follow the doubletrack to mile 2.1 and veer left on singletrack.

At mile 2.5, the singletrack again drops onto a dirt road. Keep right. As this road hits a T intersection with a larger road, again turn right and ride west for around 150 yards.

At mile 2.7, you'll see singletrack on your left. Exit the gravel road.

The singletrack now works its way up to the top of a knoll. At the top, it reverses direction from southbound to northbount as it joins another small doubletrack at mile 2.9.

Temporarily eastbound between two knolls on the western side of the loop.

Climbing up another small knoll. Gotta get that vert.

At mile 3.1, the trail will leave the doubletrack, turning sharply to the left. It will gradually descend on a twisting path to the west in a forest of juniper and pinion.

At mile 4.3, the trail will veer left onto a doubletrack eastbound. Follow the doubletrack for 1/2 mile, then veer off to the right on singletrack at mile 4.8.

There are occasional "party zones" on the many doubletracks through the area.

On top of the final knoll, looking east toward Casto Canyon.

Just after mile 5.1, you're approaching the race staging area. A finishing spur forks away to the right. Keep left and curve around to the east to make the full loop.

At mile 5.3, the path ends on the Casto Canyon road. Go to the left. Pedal 1/2 mile north on the gravel road to the Casto Canyon trailhead to finish the loop.

Cranking uphill on the road toward the Casto Canyon trailhead and the singletrack entry.

Looking up to the cliffs from the eastern side of the loop.

Bottom Line:
Nice quick ride without too much work. There are some views and scenery, although it doesn't compare to nearby Casto Canyon or Losee Canyon. It's a good option for beginning riders to have a nice day while the hard-core folk hit Thunder Mountain.

Getting there:
From US-89 south of Panguitch, drive 2.9 miles east on Utah-12 (towards Bryce Canyon National Park). Turn left on the gravel road marked for Casto and Losee Canyon. Drive 3 miles to the Casto Canyon trailhead. Parking is on your left. The bathroom -- and the Casto Canyon trail -- is across the gravel road. To hop on the race loop, pedal north from the parking area on the gravel road for around 100 yards. After you pass the corral entry, veer to the right. When you see singletrack leading to a roll-over cattleguard, you've found the trail.