Hiking and Biking in Utah

Brian Head is famous for its downhill single-track trails, and Right Fork of Bunker Creek is one of the area's highlight rides. The route begins at an elevation of 11,307 feet atop Brian Head Peak and ends 14 miles later at Panguitch Lake, after a 3,000-foot descent. Most of the route follows single-track thru Cedar Breaks National Monument and the plateau's forested rim. Right Fork Bunker Creek ride requires a vehicle shuttle between Brian Head Peak and Panguitch Lake;

The Twisted Forest Trail passes thru bristlecone pines, which are believed to be the oldest living organisms on earth; they are estimated to be over 2,000 years old. The 12-mile ride (out-and-back) thru the Twisted Forest is ideal for novice bikers. Stronger riders can tack on a few extra miles to reach the magnificent overlook of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Bryce Canyon and its surroundings provides spectacular red rock mountain biking. There are opportunities to ride on both single and double track trails, on forest roads, and on pioneer trails. The narrow and winding main road to Rainbow Point at the end of Bryce Canyon is 17 miles long and ascends from 7,900 to 9,105 feet. This road provides the only permitted bicycling in the park.

• Dave's Hollow is an easy double-track trail, its a 12-mile trip which follows the Great Western Trail. The ride starts at the large Bryce Canyon National Park boundary sign on Hwy 63.
• Casto Canyon a shuttle is suggested for this moderate 17-mile one-way ride in the Red Canyon area. It is both a single and double-track trail. The ride starts and ends along Hwy 12.
• Skunk & Badger
  This moderate-to-advanced 18-mile loop ride from Hwy 12 east of Red Canyon, turns south onto FR087 to Tropic Reservoir.

Biking in Zion National Park

• Pa'rus Trail is an interconnecting trail in the park, about 3.5 miles long, you can ride throughout the park connecting the lower canyon with the scenic drive.
• Gooseberry Mesa Trail is a 10 mile moderate ride, on a new trail system with both technical slick rock and single track.
• Green Valley Trail is one big BMX course the trail is located west of the city. The 6-mile trail begins with a 1-mile climb up the north rim of the Gap and ends near the subdivision of Bloomington

Utah's prominent mountain hiking regions are:

• Wasatch Front
• Northern Mountains
• Dinosaurland
• Great Basin
• Red Rock

Hiking the Narrows of Zion National Park, the trail is the Virgin River.

• 3 WAYS TO HIKE THE NARROWS
  • BOTTOM-UP. Is the best way for first-time river hikers. Hike in as far you would like and turn
    back at any time. Average hikers travel 3-4 miles up the canyon and then 3-4 miles back.
  • TOP-DOWN - ONE DAY. From May through September its a 16 mile hike for athletic people, who
    are very agile hikers. The trip is usually a 10-14 hour hike and a permit is required
  • TOP-DOWN – OVERNIGHT. The full “Narrows experience” is one night under the stars in one of
    12 designated sites. With 6-8 hours of hiking each day. And a permit is required.

And remember . . .

LEAVE NO TRACE
BE AWARE - AVOID A FLASH FLOODS