Turnpike Trail

The Turnpike Trail is a 4.4-mile trail along the hillside south of Cedar City at 6000 feet elevation. It's early-intermediate or strong-beginner in technical requirement. The climbing is mild and broken up by gentle descents. The trail can be done as an out-and-back -- 8.8 miles round trip -- or as part of a 10-mile upper-intermediate loop using Lava Link (see below). If you're pressed for time, there's an option to return quickly by road. 

On the north end, Turnpike begins at the Southview trailhead. There's a bathroom with running water, a bike repair stand, a privacy-screen for changing clothes, and ample parking. On the paved Southview trail, go 100 yards until you cross the bridge. Now turn to the right at the first singletrack after you cross the bridge.

On the south end, Turnpike has a trailhead on the gravel Shurtz Canyon Road. The Pyramid Ridge trailhead has a bathroom and large fenced parking area within the Pyramid Ridge campground. The trail begins eastbound at the break in the east side of the fence.

The Turnpike trail contours the hillside just a bit above the valley floor. It's essentially a long traverse on the shoulder of the hill. There will be a occasional turns here and there as the trail gains or loses elevation. The total overall climbing for the 4.4 miles is a bit under 400 vertical feet (each way).

There will be three of these gentle climbs, each one followed by a descent. In either direction, the first climb is the longest one. If you're getting tired, remember that the return trip will also involve three climbs. There are no bail-out options once you're on the trail. But once you do reach the opposite trailhead, a road return is super-quick and easy.

The terrain is mostly juniper, with the occasional pinion pine. There's a stretch of sage brush around the middle of the trail. For most of the trail, the spots between the junipers are occupied with rock and dirt.

The southern half of the trail is more interesting, both visually and riding-wise. You'll finally have some nice views of the valley and some pretty cliffs to the east.

The trail spans the distance between the Southview and Shurtz Canyon trailheads. On the way, there's a technical rock-bashing trail that begins and ends on Turnpike at around its middle. This is called Side Hustle.

Turnpike is also your route to the beginner Roundabout and Scenic Byway>/a> trails, located just outside the Pyramid Ridge campground.

Near the southern end of Turnpike, two trails connect on the uphill side. At mile 3.4 from Southview -- 0.9 miles from Shurtz Canyon -- the Elevate trail forks away. This is a two-way trail. At 0.5 miles from Shurtz Canyon the downhill-only Black Ops trail joins.

Summer mornings are usually cool in Cedar City, but the afternoons get very hot. The trees on Turnpike provide almost zero shade. Even though the Turnpike trail isn't a lot of work, the length of a full out-and-back ride can be a problem for beginning riders during the afternoon heat. Time your ride intelligently.

Bottom Line!

Not a high-voltage trail but a pleasant way to get a decent amount of trail miles without working too hard. Quite easy to ride, both technically and aerobically. Beginners will enjoy this ride. Experts can hammer this trail 45 minutes each way, so they'll want to combine Turnpike with other trails in Iron Hills such as a loop with Lava Link or the expert-level trails in the Black Ops area.

Getting there:
Southview Trailhead. At the southern I-15 Cedar City exit (Exit 57 to Cross Hollow Road and Highway 130), turn east onto Highway 130. Immediately turn right (south) from 130 onto Old Highway 91. Drive 0.3 miles. Watch for the sign for Southview Trailhead and turn left on Shurtz Canyon Drive. Now stay on Shurtz Canyon Drive to the trailhead and find a spot to park. Start out on the paved Southview trail. After the bridge, go past the Turnpike trail and the one-way return trails from Lava Flow and Iron Giant. Turn right onto Lichen It at N37 38.699 W113 04.894.
Pyramid Ridge (Shurtz Canyon) Trailhead
The Pyramid Ridge trailhead is just off the gravel Shurtz Canyon Road south of Cedar City, surrounded by the Pyramid Ridge campground. From the southern Cedar City exit, head south on Old Highway 91 just east of I-15. At 2.4 miles, turn left on Tipple Road. After 0.6 miles, turn left on Shurtz Canyon Road (mislabeled "Shirts" on the road sign). Go 0.7 miles and turn left into the trailhead. This trailhead has a bathroom and large fenced parking area within the campground. The Turnpike trail begins eastbound at the break in the north east side of the fence.

Bathrooms:  Southview and Pyramid Ridge (Shurtz) trailheads
Repair stand at both trailheads
Water:  Southview only, at sink in bathroom
Camping:  BLM campground at Pyramid Ridge trailhead.