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Thunder Mountain Mountain Bike Trail
Red Canyon, Utah
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:  |
12 trail reviews |
|
Status: updated 8/22/11 by abegold |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 16 miles | Global Rank: #36 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 33 | Wishlist: 37 |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,556/-1,892 ft |
Directions:
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Description: This trail can be done as a loop or if you have enough vehicles start ride at Coyote Hollow Trailhead parking.
Starting from the Thunder Mountain TH (aprox 7100 ft., restrooms, parking) ride E on the paved trail that follows river (#113) for 5.4 miles then turn on to dirt road and follow it 2 miles through a small campground to Coyote Hollow parking (8050 ft., restrooms, parking). The Thunder Mountain single track (#098) starts here winding through forest canyons climbing and descending the same 250 ft many times for the next 3 miles. The trail gradually climbs to roughly 8300 ft at 10.5 miles from the start (awesome views!) and then starts a rapid decent past red cliffs & hoodoo�s, switchbacking down the canyons. Some technical stuff as the switchbacks are rather tight & steep and some of the trail is very narrow along ledges. At mile 14.2 and roughly 7300 ft you intersect with trail # 066, go right and the trail quickly turns into a 20 mph downhill scream on a forested single track back to the Thunder Mountain TH almost 2 miles later.
This is an awesome ride! However if you are like me and from near sea level it will quickly remind you that you are at 7-8000 ft as the air is pretty thin and the climbs can be pretty tough. Big kudo�s to the folks at the Dixie Forest dept (office in Panguitch, UT) for all the new signage and maintenance of the many trails in the area.
Description: This trail can be done as a loop or if you have enough vehicles start ride at Coyote Hollow Trailhead parking.
Starting from the Thunder Mountain TH (aprox 7100 ft., restrooms, parking) ride E on the paved trail that follows river (#113) for 5.4 miles then turn on to dirt road and follow it 2 miles through a small campground to Coyote Hollow parking (8050 ft., restrooms, parking). The Thunder Mountain single track (#098) starts here winding through forest canyons climbing and descending the same 250 ft many times for the next 3 miles. The trail gradually climbs to roughly 8300 ft at 10.5 miles from the start (awesome views!) and then starts a rapid decent past red cliffs & hoodoo�s, switchbacking down the canyons. Some technical stuff as the switchbacks are rather tight & steep and some of the trail is very narrow along ledges. At mile 14.2 and roughly 7300 ft you intersect with trail # 066, go right and the trail quickly turns into a 20 mph downhill scream on a forested single track back to the Thunder Mountain TH almost 2 miles later.
This is an awesome ride! However if you are like me and from near sea level it will quickly remind you that you are at 7-8000 ft as the air is pretty thin and the climbs can be pretty tough. Big kudo�s to the folks at the Dixie Forest dept (office in Panguitch, UT) for all the new signage and maintenance of the many trails in the area.
added on May 1, 2007 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Deadman’s Ridge in Moab
Poison Spider Mesa in Moab
Amasa Back Trail in Moab
Little Creek Mountain in Hurricane
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by vyrpalmeris on October 27, 2011
Awesome ride. Nothing like this anywhere else in the world. Incredible "fin" features will give you a heart attack.
Similar Trail: Cassidy Loop
reviewed by moorhead14 on October 15, 2011
The most beautiful trail I have ridden. Bring your camera for great biking and scenery shots.
reviewed by trisporter717 on September 13, 2011
Road this in early September and it is my current all time favorite. Bryce Canyon NP quality views and you get to ride to your hearts delight. Nothing too technical but some open ridgeline riding, steep climbs, and some tough switchbacks along the way. Not to be missed for the fun and locale
reviewed by p2moguls on July 28, 2011
This was our first rode of the season in May on our road trip through Utah. Awesome, scenic loop thru some of the most visually stunning scenery you could ride a bike through. Like being on another planet...We saw only one rider the entire day and that was on the paved bike trail climbing up. The paved bike path is a good warm up and has fine views of Red Canyon. The single track is downright epic. Downhills and side excursion to Inspiration Point are unforgettable. The switchbacks and my favorite, the knife edge ridge are thrilling, and for any riders with above average skills, worth the price of admission by themselves. Photos and videos are a must!
Similar Trail: If you could go to Mars and do that one, you know the one on the left side of Mars, near the mountain that looks like a face on the Hubble telescope photos proving there's life on Mars...that one.
reviewed by cbotto79 on April 6, 2011
the status says "closed" yet it appears it has been ridden already this year. Can someone shed light on this? Going thru that area in May, would love to ride this....
reviewed by david_darling on March 22, 2011
This could be "THE" trail. Superfantasic bam shooby doo wah day! Amazing scenery plus amazing trail equals amazing ride. Must do if riding Brian Head or passing through. Instant Classic. I was lucky enough to have ridden this trail just days after it had opened.
Similar Trail: Phil's World, Gooseberry Mesa
reviewed by ckaep on February 17, 2011
I did this trail many years ago and it was INCREDIBLE! Still one of my favs. Looking forward to going back and doing it again! Great views, great singletrack!
reviewed by notley1 on February 12, 2011
ridden twice as a loop. ride the pavement back to car. first part of the ride is just nice, with some climbing. once you get up on the ridge- very nice! beautiful and some challenging spots. 2-3 switchbacks coming down are a little scary at first but doable. from the bottom back to pavement fast and flowy.
reviewed by skibum on September 24, 2009
This is an A+++ trail! There is some of the best scenery you will ever see, combined with fantastic singletrack. You can only start from Coyote Hollow if you have a shuttle. Even if you have to do the loop including the pavement and dirt road, this ride is so worth it. From Coyote Hollow, the trail starts with typical wooded mountain singletrack, but it is very well laid out and a lot of fun. Then, you break out onto the ridge in Red Canyon and things get really interesting. The scenery is like no other bike trail and the singletrack just keeps getting better. There are killer views of the canyon and the valley beyond, narrow ridgetop singletrack, tight switchbacks and a big plummet down to the canyon floor. Don't miss the right turn (well-signed) shortly after hitting the canyon floor. Then it's a short climb and the last mile is super fast, flowy singletrack with some great air opportunities. You absolutely can't beat this ride!
reviewed by abegold on September 17, 2009
Do not forget your camera. Watch out for horses. This trail is unique and truly beautiful. Only thing like it is nearby Bryce National Park.
Similar Trail: entrance to Losee Canyon, many small arches
reviewed by rich67 on May 15, 2009
Absolutely amazing and fun ride. I have to say this has by far been one of the best trails I have ridden. You absolutely must start at Coyote Hollow; riding the other direction from Red Canyon CG is pointless. The last portion of the trail was an absolute blast, fast singletrack with sweeping turns, able to get up to serious speeds! A must do for this area.
Similar Trail: Alafia River State Park, FL
reviewed by mozey on December 8, 2007
A great trail with awsome "out of this world" scenery, strange red rock formations, and vanilla scented pines. The last mile or so is a fast downhill. This is a trail everyone should ride if they get the chance.
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