 | Bald Mountain Backside Loop (Parley's Great Western) This loop ties the Great Western Trail from Big Mountain Pass to Jeremy Ranch east of Parley's Summit, using the East Canyon Road and the Mormon Trail in Little Emigration Canyon to complete a 19.4-mile loop. This loop is for strong, experienced riders who can handle some stiff climbs and descend in occasional loose rock. Many bikers ride a portion of the Great Western, starting at Big Mountain Pass, as an out-and-back. Peak altitude 7900 feet, total climbing around 3500. Season late May through mid-October. |
| Ride notes, counter-clockwise loop from Big Mountain Pass: 0.0 At the far end of the parking lot, trail heads uphill 0.8 Crest ridge and begin first descent 1.5 Cross broad meadow of Mule's Ear 2.0 Crest ridge, 7900 ft, start descent to 7500 2.3 Stiff climb up to Bald Mountain 3.5 Top of Bald Mountain, 7900 ft, N 40° 47.547' W 111° 38.924' begin steep loose rock descent 4.5 Climb up from 7400 ft 5.0 Briefly join fire road, descend 5.1 Pass branching trail on R (descends ridge towards Little Dell) N 40° 46.418' W 111° 38.951' 6.0 Cross game trail on saddle, start climbing up again 6.5 At crest of hill, keep straight (L goes 0.2 to viewpoint) N 40° 45.783' W 111° 38.238' Alt 7800 7.6 Microwave towers, singletrack goes to R of structures Joins gravel road | 7.7 At first turn in road, hop singletrack on L, heading east 9.0 Fork "Main"gy Moose, turn R onto Switchback Trail N 40° 45.789' W 111° 36.009' 9.4 Go L as ST joins doubletrack N 40° 45.754' W 111° 35.898' Alt 7000 9.8 Trail hits paved road at Moose Hollow gate (Saddleback) Find continuing trail across road on your left N 40° 45.777' W 111° 35.559' Alt 6750 10.2 Fork hard L N 40° 45.713' W 111° 35.419' 10.8 L onto paved bike trail on Jeremy Ranch Road N 40° 46.000' W 111° 35.015' Alt 6250 10.9 L onto gravel East Canyon Road 14.8 L into parking area for Mormon Trail Lift bike over fence, trail crosses creek 19.4 Arrive back at Big Mountain Pass |
 | Getting there, Jeremy's or Little Emigration Trailhead:
Take I-80 eastbound from Salt Lake. Just after Parley's
Summit, take the Jeremy Ranch exit and turn north (left) under the freeway.
Turn left, then right onto Jeremy Ranch Drive and continue until the
road turns sharply around to the right, where you'll see the dirt East Canyon
Road
branching the left. You can park here, or drive 4.9 miles up the dirt road
until you see the parking area for the
Mormon Trail (and picnic tables and a bathroom) on your left. GPS N 40°
48.944' W 111° 35.080'.
Big Mountain Pass Trailhead: On I-80 in Parley's Canyon, take the Little Dell Recreation Area (U-65) exit. From the exit, drive uphill 8 miles to the top of the pass, then park on the right side of the road at GPS N 40° 49.687' W 111° 39.244'. The trail begins on the far side of the parking area, heading uphill. Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc
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