 | Blowhard Mountain Blowhard Mountain is an advanced-technical downhill trail, usually ridden one-way with a shuttle vehicle. The trail drops 3300 vertical feet over 7 miles, for an almost 12% rate of average slope. One section near the top is particularly steep, averaging 22% slope over a mile. This is a challenging and tricky trail, delivering some great views and real bragging rights. A loop is possible using U-14 and U-143 as the uphill portion. This is a 19.2-mile ride, and is quite strenuous. |
| Riding notes, downhill: 0.0 R (north) into the trees on ST. 1.0 Cliff-top view of Cedar Breaks Descent gets tricky, 800' in 0.5 mile 1.6 Fork L (R=Potato Hollow) N 37 35.890' W 112 52.823', alt 9400' 2.5 Veer L under power line N 37 35.890' W 112 53.479', alt 9250' | 3.1 Cross Crystal Springs Road N 37 36.285' W 112 53.830', alt 8950' 6.0 R through fence N 37 37.141' W 112 55.753', alt 8250' 6.4 Cross DT (option: DT goes to U-14 at m10.8) 7.0 At road N 37 36.965' W 112 55.919', alt 7450' |
 | Getting there:
In Cedar City, zero your odometer at the intersection of Center and Main
Street.
Head east up the canyon on U-14. Trail's End: At mile 9.2, underneath
tall gray cliffs, there's a
cindered pullout on the left side, GPS N 37 36.965' W 112 55.919', altitude
7450'. The trail hits
the road here. If you're riding the loop or leaving a shuttle vehicle,
park at a
pullout 100 yards down-canyon or 1/2 mile up-canyon, so you won't be in
the way of the shuttle
vehicles from Brian Head. (Alternate: continue to mile 11.5 and park at
Wood's Ranch for loop
ride.) Trailhead: Continue on U-14 to the top of the plateau. At mile 18.1, turn left on U-143. Drive another 2.3 miles (mile 20.3) and turn left onto a gravel road at N 37 35.983' W 112 51.022'. 1.1 miles up the gravel road, just after going under power lines, spot the trail sign on the right side of the road, at mile 21.4. Trailhead GPS N 37 35.607' W 112 51.628', altitude 10650'. |
Copyright 2003 Mad Scientist Software Inc. Use this trail guide at your own risk.