Ranch to Ridge

Ranch to Ridge is new in 2026. But it's so well-built and fun to ride that it's become an instant classic. It serves a significant need -- a great descending route from the northern end of Midmountain that doesn't put you onto private trails in Pinebrook. (In writing this, I'm assuming you don't live there.) And it's a route that isn't complicated to navigate.

The review of Ranch to Ridge (and a new report on the Hunter Trail) was done October 7, 2026 by Bruce.

The trail is nicely built, with a broad riding surface and smooth banked turns.

Because of high elevation and north-facing slopes, the expected riding season will be limited to late June or early July through October.

A very popular option for riders who don't want to suffer but are looking for a longer ride is this: from a city bus stop in Park City, take the free bus up to the Midmountain Trail near Deer Valley. Roll all the way north and descend through Hunter and Ranch to Ridge.

The Hunter trail is 3.7 miles long. From north to south, it gains around 400 feet, rising from 7770 to 8150 feet. There's some gentle downhill toward the southern end that takes back around 200 feet of elevation and raises the total climbing to about 650 for the trip southbound.

It's going to be a big ride no matter how you do it. But I'll tell you it's worth it.

There's no dedicated trailhead for the Ranch to Ridge trail. But you're allowed to use the Park And Ride lot across the street. (DO NOT park in the Ecker Hill Middle School lot.) From I-80 at Kimball Junction, turn south -- toward Park City. In less than 0.2 miles, turn right at the light onto Ute Boulevard. At the roundabout, take the first right onto Landmark Drive, which will become Kilby Road. When you see the middle school approaching on the left, turn into the Park and Ride entry on your right. Cross the street and find the trail east of the road into school parking.

If you're planning a loop that returns via Millenium, you may find parking spaces at the end of Overland Drive where the Millenium trail arrives from the RTS area. Take the paved path west along Overland Drive. It's about a mile to Ranch to Ridge.

You can arrive at Ranch to Ridge via Millenium and its connecting paved paths in either direction, from almost anywhere in the Park City, Snyderville or Summit Park areas. Check the latest city maps.

The RTS trailhead has a bathroom, and is a good location for loop rides that pass through the Olympic Park trails either uphill or down. From I-80, take the Park City Kimball Junction exit. Turn south toward Park City. At 0.4 miles from the freeway, turn right on the Olympic Parkway. At the roundabout, go 3/4 around (effectively a left turn) to head south on Olympic Parkway. The road will begin climbing. At one mile from I-80, turn right into a fenced parking area with a bathroom. The RTS loop is just inside the break in the fence.

To get to the bottom of Ranch to Ridge, Take RTS to the far north end and take the short connector to the paved Millenium trail. Turn left and follow the paved path two miles to the trail entry just before Ecker Middle School.

In less than 1/4 mile, you'll be away from meadows and telephone poles. Here the trail climbs steadily but gently.

The other two trail forks are near the top of Ranch to Ridge, and I'll get to those later. Trail forks are marked with carsonite posts, but there's little information on them. If you plan to venture off the main trail, be aware that most on-trail navigation aids don't cover the private trails in Pinebrook.

There will be a mile of sun-exposed slope as you climb through the oak brush before you're in cool forest again.

You've now done 1450 feet of climbing and are at an elevation of 7675 feet.

At this point, you're out of the cool forest and entering an area of oak and maple again.

This area is also more exposed to weathering. There are a few short rock gardens that aren't too tough to bang across.

Across the canyon, you can see the path of the Olympic trail and the ski lift on top of the hill above the Olympic Park.

Whether your ride plan takes you uphill or down, this is a route you'll want to do.

There's no dedicated trailhead for the Ranch to Ridge trail. But you're allowed to use the Park And Ride lot across the street. (DO NOT park in the Ecker Hill Middle School lot.) From I-80 at Kimball Junction, turn south -- toward Park City. In less than 0.2 miles, turn right at the light onto Ute Boulevard. At the roundabout, take the first right onto Landmark Drive, which will become Kilby Road. When you see the middle school approaching on the left, turn into the Park and Ride entry on your right. Cross the street and find the trail east of the road into school parking.