Photo from the ridgetop, looking north back towards Logan Canyon. Photos September 25, 2001 by Bruce Argyle.
Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop
The Rick's Canyon - Steel Hollow Loop is a 12.2 mile advanced-intermediate ride in the Right Fork of Logan Canyon. Altitude gain is 2100 feet, with much of the grade exceeding 12% in upper Rick's Canyon. This loop is for strong, well-conditioned riders with good bike-handling skills. I recommend riding up Rick's and down Steel Hollow. (Steel Hollow is a bit more steep and technical on the uphill.) This is a great ride, but it's not for beginners.
The trail starts in dry, hot cedars near the Girl's Camp. After following the creek gently
uphill for 0.6 miles, the trail crosses the creek and forks. Take the
right fork, away from
the creek. Rapidly, the terrain changes to fir and aspen, with currant
and mahogany bushes.
At 1.4 miles, the trail forks again. Go right for Rick's Canyon and start climbing. At 3.5 miles, the trail begins to dip up and down, then climbs more steeply. You'll reach the top of the ridge at a doubletrack at 4.3 -- go 100 yards to the main dirt road and turn left.
Jackie takes a break while Bruce shoots a typical section of easier singletrack, climbing uphill in the bottom of Rick's Canyon.
The ridgeline has open meadows alternating with groves of aspen.
Follow the road, ignoring any small side trails and smaller roads. Descend to an intersection
in a broad rolling meadow at mile 7.0 and go left (north). Begin a slow
climb and watch for
the Steel Hollow singletrack at mile 7.8 on your left. (If you encounter
another doubletrack,
or begin a sharp descent on the road past "Dog Springs," you missed the
trail.)
Steel Hollow is a lovely descent for the first 2 miles, then you'll run into some technical
stuff. Horses have churned the trail, so on some steeps and switchbacks,
you can only hold
on and surf. Watch out for the cliffside hairpin left-hand turn about
2 miles down the trail
-- if you hit this with speed, you'll find some major Not Rock under your
wheels.
View down the trail, higher up in Steel Hollow.
An outcrop of limestone on the wall of the canyon. The rocks of Logan Canyon are from the Ordovician Period. During this time, ocean shoreline crept back and forth through this area of Utah, alternating shoreline deposits with deeper ocean limestone. (During this period 500 million years ago, there were no plants or animals yet on land.)
The Steel Hollow Trail rejoins Rick's at mile 10.8. Watch for cows in the trail, and try your
best to avoid the copious cow excrement. But if you can't handle a little
fertilizer in your
teeth, you should stay at the spa on the exercycle.
Backtrack to the intersection with the Willow Springs trail and follow the creek back to the
trailhead. Awesome ride.
Another look at the brilliant fall leaves on the Steel Hollow Trail.
Rick's Canyon and Steel Hollow
Getting there: From Logan's main street, turn east
towards the mountains on US-89 (4th North). Pass Utah State University and
enter Logan Canyon. 8.7 miles up the canyon, watch for the Right Fork
turnoff, a small paved road on your right just after a bridge. Drive up
this road 1.2 miles, then keep left at the fork on the road, continuing on
gravel. Pass the Girls' Camp, and arrive at the parking loop 0.6 miles
from the fork.
Riding resources:
Single-page riding guide
GPS track file (right-click and select "Save as..."):
GPX Topo maps: High Res (includes Old Ephraim's Grave)
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to Logan area resources
Single-page riding guide
GPS track file (right-click and select "Save as..."):
GPX Topo maps: High Res (includes Old Ephraim's Grave)
Lodging, camping, shops: Links to Logan area resources
