View to the west down the ridgeline shortly after starting the descent. Review by Bruce on April 22, 2024.
View to the west down the ridgeline shortly after starting the descent. Review by Bruce on April 22, 2024.

Skidder 1

Skidder 1 is a double-black downhill-only trail in the Coyote (Riverview) trail system north of Heber. The trail is very steep and often loose, plunging down a ridgeline from the Smaug Loop to the bottom of Upper Potatoes. It crosses Upper Riverview on the way. The trail is mostly narrow hand-built fall-line singletrack through areas of volcanic rubble. In the areas with actual soil, banked turns offer respite from the plunge.

In 0.6 miles, Skidder 1 drops 550 vertical feet. That's 920 feet per mile AVERAGE, an 18% slope. In the volcanic areas, I found a lot of loose boulders and marbles in the trail surface. A touch of brake could make the tire hang on a loose rock.

Skidder 1 is a trail that's dangerous to ride fast, and almost impossible to ride slow. This is not a trail for casual riders, and will be enjoyable to very few. The top of the trail is at 6500 feet elevation, for an expected riding season of mid-May through October.

Approaching a rock drop in a volcanic area. The trail at the top is Middle Earth, which will join Upper Potatoes at the bottom of Skidder 1.
Approaching a rock drop in a volcanic area. The trail at the top is Middle Earth, which will join Upper Potatoes at the bottom of Skidder 1.
Trailheads and access
Bruce heads uphill from the UVU trailhead.
Bruce heads uphill from the UVU trailhead.
UVU Trailhead
Most riders get to the Riverview area west-side trails from the UVU Wasatch Campus trailhead. This is found on the far north end of Heber on Highway 40, one mile south of the Highway 32 junction. At the UVU campus entry, turn east (toward the mountain). Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk.
The UVU Connector trail climbs uphill from the trailhead to the Upper Riverview (Rivendell) trail after 1.5 miles. On the way, it crosses the easy rides on Lower Riverview, the Riverview Doubletrack, and Middle Earth. (This trailhead is also closest to Frodo's Playground and the beginner skills area trails at Lower Potatoes and Isengard.)
Beginning the climb toward the top of Skidder 1 on the UVU Connector.
Beginning the climb toward the top of Skidder 1 on the UVU Connector.
We've reached Upper Riverview, looking west. We'll head north 1.5 miles to Lonely Mountain.
We've reached Upper Riverview, looking west. We'll head north 1.5 miles to Lonely Mountain.
Turn to the left when the UVU Connector reaches Upper Riverview. Pedal 1.5 miles north and gently uphill on Riverview. Skidder 1 will cross just before the Lonely Mountain trail fork. For a shorter (and much less techy) ride, you can turn left downhill onto lower Skidder 1. Otherwise, continue another 50 feet along Riverview and turn right uphill on Lonely Mountain. Pedal uphill one mile, then turn right on the second connector to the Smaug Loop. At the southwest corner of the loop 1/4 mile later, drop downhill on Skidder 1.
The Coyote trailhead. Take the singletrack east for connections to Coyote, Lower Riverview, Sheep Pen, and Upper Riverview.
The Coyote trailhead. Take the singletrack east for connections to Coyote, Lower Riverview, Sheep Pen, and Upper Riverview.

South Coyote Trailhead (Construction closure!)
You can get to Skidder 1 from the Coyote Trailhead in the south. Connect to Middle Earth for the northbound trip and continue to the Upper Potatoes/Lower Potatoes trail fork. Climb Upper Potatoes to Upper Riverview and turn right. Pedal 0.3 miles to Lonely Mountain and climb one mile to the Smaug Loop.

Or, connect to Upper Riverview early in your trip north, then turn uphill on Chop'd Coyote. Climb up Chop'd Coyote to the top of Lonely Mountain, turn left, and descend Lonely Mountain to the Smaug Loop.

Looking down the Riverview Connector toward the trailhead.
Looking down the Riverview Connector toward the trailhead.
Riverview Trailhead
From Salt Lake, take I-80 eastbound to Silver Creek Junction (just past Park City). Go south on US-40, past the Jordanelle reservoir and descend past the dam. At the traffic light at mile 14.2 from I-80, turn left on 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into Riverview on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right N40 34.403 W111 25.214. That's your spot.
From Utah County, drive up Provo Canyon to Heber. At the traffic light on US-189/US-40, turn left and drive north through Heber. 4.7 miles from the intersection, turn right on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles to the parking area as above.

Climb 0.3 miles up the connector, then turn south on Riverview for 1.5 miles to Lonely Mountain and climb to the Smaug Loop.

The Skidder 1 Trail
Here's the drop-in to Skidder1, as seen when riding clockwise on the Smaug Loop.
Here's the drop-in to Skidder1, as seen when riding clockwise on the Smaug Loop.

The Skidder 1 trail is reached by taking the Lonely Mountain trail to the Smaug Loop. The trail entry to Skidder 1 is built to flow naturally from a clockwise path on Smaug (taking the southern side of the loop 0.3 miles from Lonely Mountain).

Lonely Mountain can be reached via Chop'd Coyote, An Unexpected Journey, or Upper Riverview. Any of these routes would be a satisfying ride. The climb from Upper Riverview is the easiest.

As mentioned above, the trail is very steep with a slope averaging 18%. It should only be done by aggressive and very experienced experts. The top half is somewhat bumpier as it drops 250 vertical feet in 0.3 miles between the Smaug Loop and Upper Riverview.
It's a little easier to appreciate the slope when you're looking back uphill. This is the spot where Skidder 1 crosses Upper Riverview.
It's a little easier to appreciate the slope when you're looking back uphill. This is the spot where Skidder 1 crosses Upper Riverview.
Alternate entry to Skidder 1 from the Upper Riverview trail. This cuts the trail almost exactly in half.
Alternate entry to Skidder 1 from the Upper Riverview trail. This cuts the trail almost exactly in half.
Upper Riverview divides Skidder 1 into two parts. You can access the lower half on Riverview just south of the Lonely Mountain trail fork if you want a shorter and slightly less-techy sample of the trail.
From the Smaug Loop, Skidder 1 begins a descent through sage brush and low oak scrub. The trail surface is filled with embedded boulders, with an occasional loose rock to send your tire askew.
Bouncing through the boulders. Steeper than it looks.
Bouncing through the boulders. Steeper than it looks.
A rock roll-over or a rock drop, depending on which line you're riding as you arrive at the top of this huge boulder.
A rock roll-over or a rock drop, depending on which line you're riding as you arrive at the top of this huge boulder.

There are quite a few rock rollovers and rock drops. Some have "helper rocks" placed, but the line that will take you gently down the helper rocks is often hard to see until you're passing it. Be prepared to change plans and take some air.

As a brand-new trail, Skidder 1 is still seeing some ongoing tweaks. No doubt it will be "dumbed down" a bit to make some spots less dangerous to over-their-head riders.

In several areas, the trail breaks out of the sage and oak to drop through igneous rubble. These areas are where you're likely to become a "Skidder." Anything other than the most-gentle and responsive two-wheel braking will start a tire sliding.
Skidding through a volcanic rock outcrop.
Skidding through a volcanic rock outcrop.
Bruce approaches a small rock drop.
Bruce approaches a small rock drop.
I made it down the trail with only one bloody spot from a pedal bang when I stopped to take a picture. Of all the trails in the Coyote area, I thought this one was the most dangerous and the least fun. Seriously, it makes Mordor look like a kiddie trail.

When the trail enters an area with deeper dirt, the rate of descent slows through banked turns. These spots are a welcome rest -- where you can stop baby-fingering the brakes and let the bike roll.

The trail ends at the junction of Middle Earth, Lower Potatoes, and Upper Potatoes. To continue your descent, keep straight and downhill on Lower Potatoes. To head for the top to try it again, fork to the right uphill and climb Upper Potatoes to Upper Riverview and turn right to head for Lonely Mountain.

A rock drop connects you to this banked turn, with more to come.
A rock drop connects you to this banked turn, with more to come.

A look at Skidder 1

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Almost to the bottom. Rock drop coming up, then some banked turns around the corner.
Almost to the bottom. Rock drop coming up, then some banked turns around the corner.

Bottom Line

A trail that few riders will love. Almost 20% average slope. Slippery with loose rock. Rock drops, often with sight-line issues. A bit of a challenge for this 73 year old rider, but I'm sure YOU will do just fine.

Closeup of the Skidder 1 area.
Closeup of the Skidder 1 area.
Getting there, UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead:
One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk N40 32.798 W111 24.735. A singletrack trail climbs 1.5 miles to the Riverview Trail.

Riverview Trailhead:
From Salt Lake, take I-80 eastbound to Silver Creek Junction (just past Park City). Go south on US-40, past the Jordanelle reservoir and descend past the dam. At the traffic light at mile 14.2 from I-80, turn left on 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into Riverview on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right N40 34.403 W111 25.214. That's your spot.
From Utah County, drive up Provo Canyon to Heber. At the traffic light on US-189/US-40, turn left and drive north through Heber. 4.7 miles from the intersection, turn right on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles to the parking area as above.

Coyote Trailhead:
Two miles south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32, turn east (toward the mountain) on Coyote Lane. Just after the road crosses a canal, turn left into the parking lot. The singletrack starts at the northeast corner at the step-over, where you'll also find a repair stand and a kiosk with a trail map. The Coyote singletrack takes you uphill. After merging with the gravel road to cross the bridge, veer left onto singletrack then keep generally right and uphill at the trail forks.

Cutthroat (Highway 32) Trailhead:
Drive up Highway 32 four miles. Look for a gravel road on the right side N40 35.430 W111 23.389. You can park along the road and clamber over the fence near the (locked) gate. Find the singletrack on your left and ride uphill, keeping to the right at the Wile E Canyon fork about 100 yards uphill. You'll reach the fork that starts the Coyote loop 0.4 miles from the highway.