The Sting Trail, located north of Heber, is a 1.3-mile two-way trail in the Jordanelle Ridge Trail System. It's new in 2025. Sting starts on Rivendell (Upper Riverview) at the connector from the Upper Riverview trailhead and climbs to end on Lonely Mountain just downhill from the Mordor trail fork.
The surface is easier-intermediate. Sting has been used as a climbing route for the mid-week race series, but many riders prefer it in the downhill direction.
With a bottom elevation of 6150 feet and top of 6500, the expected riding season will be late May through November.
On US-40 just south of Jordanelle Reservoir, turn east at the traffic light on Highway 32 and climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into the Riverview subdivision on your left, note the gravel parking area on your right. That's your spot. This trailhead is the fastest access to Sting, as well as Riverview and the Coyote Loop, Sheep Bones and Lower Riverview, and isn't far from Upper Potatoes and Middle Earth.
Most riders ride the Coyote-area trails from the UVU Trailhead. This trailhead is closest to both the beginner skills area trails (Lower Potatoes, Isengard) and the Mordor DH. It also provides rapid access to Riverview and the Coyote Loop. One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber on US 40), 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. A singletrack trail takes you uphill to Lower Riverview, Middle Earth, and the Riverview (Rivendell) Trail.
You can reach Sting using Rivendell northbound after climbing the UVU Connector. Or you can take Middle Earth to Upper Potatoes then Rivendell, which is a bit shorter with less overall climbing.
The bottom of Sting is the direct continuation of the Upper Riverview Connector from the trailhead at mile 1.1 from parking. This is the easiest way to reach the trail. Just cross Upper Riverview (Rivendell) and you're on your way uphill.
There will be periodic views of Deer Creek, Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain to the southwest, and of the Provo River to the northeast.
If you're doing a loop ride with Lonely Mountain after climbing Sting, keep straight and cross over the ridgeline to descend toward Smaug.
If you're headed for the top of Sting via An Unexpected Journey or via the Lonely Mountain traverse, you'll descend through eleven turns before arriving at Sting. Here you'll make a 180 degree turn to the right.
Nothing radical or thrilling about this trail but it's a valuable addition to the Jordanelle Ridge system because of the loop ride opportunities it creates. Solid easier-intermediate riding uphill or down.
Trailhead options!
Wile E Canyon trailhead: The Wile E Canyon trailhead is located on the southern side of Highway 32, just over 4 miles from US-40. It's 1/10th mile east of the old Cutthroat trailhead (see below). There's room for about 8 cars here. From the parking lot, a connector trail takes you 120 yards uphill to the Wile E Canyon loop. To get to Beep Beep (or the Coyote Switchbacks or East Riverview), turn right at the trail fork, keep right at the next fork, then turn left onto the Coyote Riverview Connector trail as you approach the gravel road.
Coyote Riverview Connector trail (old Cutthroat): You can still connect through the old Cutthroat trailhead, although there's no longer a parking area here. For example, if the crowds have forced you to park where construction workers leave their vehicles along Highway 32, you can pedal to the gravel road to the new golf course leaves the highway, four miles east of US-40 and just east of the big rock-wall road-cut.
Puddy Tat parking: On Highway 3 around three miles from US-40, watch for a dirt road turning to the right in a huge sage meadow. There are a couple of buildings across Highway 32 at this spot. The parking spot is just through the fence, with a connection to Puddy Tat on the eastern side of parking. (This spot was still being worked on at the time of my review.)
Riverview trailhead: From US-40 just south of the Jordanelle reservoir, turn east at the traffic light onto Highwat 32 (at mile 14.2 from I-80 if you're coming from the north). On Highway 32, climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into Riverview on your left and a road under construction to your right, the Riverview Connector trail starts on the uphill side of that road just after it leaves Highway 32. (In 2025, there's no longer protected parking here. It's unclear whether the trailhead will be restored when construction is complete.)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 A singletrack trail climbs 1.5 miles to the Riverview Trail.
Coyote Trailhead: The southern Coyote trailhead has been lost to subdivision construction. Access to the southern side the trail system is in limbo, but some riders find their way through the construction zone by pedaling up the gravel Coyote Canyon road.
Canal DT trailhead: Just uphill from the light on highway 32, watch for the canal crossing. Park along the road. Start riding south on the doubletrack just uphill from the canal.
