The classic loop described uses Eagle Crest westbound, the Maple Hollow DH trail down to the bottom, then the Bonneville Shoreline trail eastbound to Corner Canyon, then Clarks Trail up to the Peak View trailhead. Then bits of doubletrack to close the gap between the Peak View trailhead on Traverse Ridge and the eastern end of Eagle Crest on Suncrest Drive. The loop is 10.1 miles in length, plus whatever distance you rode to reach the loop -- unless you started at one of the trailheads on top of the mountain in Suncrest. Your total climbing will be just over 2000 vertical feet (plus whatever it took to reach the loop). It's best reserved for the strong and skilled, because Maple Hollow is designed for expert freeriders and Clarks is a tough unrelenting climb. If you use Maple Hollow, you MUST do the loop clockwise.

Be sure to obey seasonal trail closures. Clarks Trail and the Maple Hollow DH trail will be closed in early spring and late fall when the trail surface is muddy. Because Eagle Crest is on a south-facing slope, it will often be temptingly free of snow while Maple Hollow DH and Clarks are still too muddy to ride. Check the Corner Canyon website for trail closure information.

On the loop, you'll have wide views over the Salt Lake Valley while you're on the north side, and views of Utah Valley on the south. Most of the trail landscape will be scrub oak forest with maples in the cooler spots. On Eagle Crest, there will be areas of "fill" with handlebar-high grasses. These fill areas are replanted steep transition zones from the leveling of the residential areas on the mountainside above you. In these spots, watch for weeds winding around your rear cogs and jamming your rear derailleur.

The segments for this ride are:Eagle Crest east to west: 2.5 miles, 450 vertical feet climbingMaple Hollow DH: 1.8 miles with 1000 vertical descentEast on Traverse Ridge Rd 100 yardsBonneville Shoreline eastbound: 2.9 miles, 500 feet of climbingClark's Trail: 1.8 miles, 700 feet of climbingAnn's eastbound: 0.2 miles to Peak View trailheadDoubletrack southwest to Suncrest Drive: 0.9 miles, 100 vertical climbingDownhill 100 yards to Eagle Crest

There are easier options. For example, substituting Ann's Connector and the western side of Ann's Trail (and a little bit more of the Bonneville Shoreline) for the Maple Hollow downhill makes the descent suitable for riders with intermediate skills. It also allows you to ride the loop counterclockwise, climbing the western side of Ann's before climbing Ann's Connector up to Eagle Crest. (Note that if you ride counterclockwise, you can't descend Clarks! You must substitute Rush , Canyon Hollow , or Ghost Falls for your descent.

And for an easier climb, you can head up Canyon Hollow and Brock's Point instead of Clarks.

And if you need an alternative that's both shorter and easier, here's a loop that's just over 8 miles but with less than half the climbing. Ride Ann's Trail east from the Potato Hill trailhead, then find your way from the Peak View trailhead (top of Traverse Ridge) to the east end of Eagle Crest . After riding Eagle Crest east-to-west to the Elk Glen TH, drop down Ann's Connector to Ann's Trail and head east back to Potato Hill.

For truly epic rides, most bikers chose to start in the valley. Of course, there's the equestrian trailhead in Corner Canyon. Other popular trailheads include Coyote Hollow (close to the start of Clarks Trail), Oak Hollow (where parking is available at the pool), and Potato Hill.

For a real epic, Utah County riders start in Alpine and climb Hog Hollow (You'll climb the mountain twice -- once on each side.) There's no parking lot where dirt meets pavement, however. You'll need to pick your parking spot, then ride to the Hog Hollow road. Off-street public parking is available in Burgess Park (see below). Add 1000 feet of vertical, 3.7 miles of dirt (each way), and a mile of city streets for this option. That's 20 miles with 3K climbing.

Getting there:Lower Corner Canyon Trailhead (Equestrian Center): Take the Bluffdale exit from I-15 and turn east towards the mountains. Continue on Highland Drive until you reach the ballpark parking lot. Directly across the street from the parking, the Lower Corner Canyon trail heads uphill (GPS N 40° 30.351' W 111° 50.721'). To reach the trailhead from the north (Sandy area), take 13th East southward until it ends at the stop sign just past the underpass. Turn left and drive 1/4 mile, then turn left into the paved parking area. Start riding by going under the street and keeping left on the Corner Canyon Trail, connecting to Ghost Falls, Canyon Hollow, or Clarks at mile 1.2. (Bathroom at this TH.)