The trail is usually done as an out-and-back from the eastern end. Some riders like a point-to-point with shuttle vehicle or "significant other" pickup.

The whole trail as an out-and-back is 24 miles with around 2200 feet of climbing. But shorter rides are possible, and most riders will select one of these. For less-strong riders, four miles to the overlook and back is satisfying. For strong riders, 8 miles to Poison Ridge and back.

You'll climb from the lake surface to 400 feet above (a couple of times), plus rolling up-and-down riding. The singletrack is narrow with encroaching berry bushes and baby aspen. The trail is intermediate technical, nothing tricky. There's one half-mile section of steep side-slope.

Few riders will want to do the entire trail. The western end is 4 miles of sage brush -- and swamp, depending on the time of year. If you happen to be camped at the west end or are doing a point-to-point, fine, ride it. But if you're driving to Strawberry specifically to enjoy this trail, I suggest you start at the eastern (Soldier Creek) end and turn around at Poison Ridge for a 16 mile out-and-back with 1600 vertical.

The eastern 8 miles of the trail is absolutely beautiful. You'll roll up and down through aspen and fir forest, with frequent breakouts into small meadows overlooking the lake. The trail twists into side canyons and crosses a couple of small creeks.

There are a few very short grunt climbs, but most of the riding is gentle climbing and descending. Views are terrific.

The sun-exposed areas are thick with wildflowers. Even the sagebrush flats had plenty of lupine and sticky geranium. In areas of mixed aspen and fir, wild raspberry bushes and snowberry flank the trail.

Navigation from the eastern end is very straight-forward, once you find the trail. There are plenty of trail markers, including mile markers to let you know how far you've come.

For an adventure, consider bicycle camping. There are primitive (pack in, pack out) camping spots near both entrances to the narrows.

In 2009, I found the western end of the trail to be seriously overgrown with sage and grass -- about as close to "not trail" as a trail can get. But it should improve in later summer as more people use the trail. About two miles from the west end, the trail disappeared into water three times. In other areas, the trail was merely a linear "thin spot" in the brush, completely grown over by grass. Many eastbound riders will skip the official trailhead and drop in from Big Springs (see directions below).

Getting there, east trailhead (recommended) - Aspen Grove:  On US 40, go eastbound up Daniel's Canyon and cross the summit. Continue on US 40 past Strawberry Reservoir. Pass the Soldier Creek campground, then 1/2 mile later turn right toward Soldier Creek Dam (road fork is N40 10.960 W111 01.690). After 3.3 miles, keep R at the fork and continue toward the dam and marina. At 4 miles from US 40, turn R and go across the dam. At 5.2 miles, you reach the intersection for the Aspen Grove campground (left) and the marina (right). Park at the marina if you've paid the fee. Find the ST trail at the northwest corner of the parking area N40 07.682 W111 02.209. (For free parking but a shorter ride, continue another 0.3 miles on the paved road. Just after the road turns to the left, exit on dirt doubletrack N40 07.851 W111 02.316. You can park here and ride SE on the DT, or drive the DT 1/2 mile to a wide spot in the DT (do not go through the gate in the fence) N40 07.554 W111 02.706. Backtrack about 50 feet to find the ST heading north.)

Getting there, west trailhead - Renegade Point:  On US 40, go eastbound up Daniel's Canyon and cross the summit. 4.7 miles after the summit, turn R on the main Strawberry road. Continue south toward Indian Creek at the far southeast corner of the reservoir. Turn right at the marina and park there if you've paid the fee. The trail is at the northeast corner at the top of the boat ramp N40 07.460 W111 09.188. For free parking, continue straight past the marina turnoff and go 0.7 miles on gravel road. Park at the pullout on your left N40 06.991 W111 08.967. Drop 0.1 mile down the trail and watch for the Narrows trail as it crosses at N40 07.032 W111 08.956. Turn R.

Big Springs (alternate) trailhead:  Continue past the Renegade Point marina as above, then fork left on a smaller dirt road after 1.9 miles at N40 05.905 W111 09.017. Go exactly 1.0 miles up the dirt road, ignoring a couple of spurs. At a spot where the road turns right (from northeast to southeast, fork left at N40 05.635 W111 08.230. Go about 1/4 mile. Find a spot to park near the log fence and continue north.