Prospector - Church Rocks Loop trail photo
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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 11 mi (17.7 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Lariat
Elevation: +1,150/ -281 ft
Total: 58 riders
 

Mountain Biking Prospector - Church Rocks Loop

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#43 of 695 mountain bike trails in Utah
#765 in the world

The trail leaving the parking area is a wide track for about the first quarter mile until a signed intersection where you will turn left (south) onto singletrack and start your ride parallel to some red rock ledges. The trail is fairly smooth and has nice flow as it crosses up and over small ridges and down through gullies. A couple spots have been rerouted for vegetation rehabilitation but these are clearly marked. At about 1.7 miles you will run into a very sandy hill, this sand section will last just about 100 yards and then is done, in the middle of it is an intersection with the Spanish Wash trail, any equestrian traffic that has been on the trail will more than likely exit here. Continuing on stay right on the main trail when you encounter a small singletrack that takes off to the left. The intersection with the Church Rocks trail will be an obvious T, although ride-able either direction I recommend taking a right and doing the loop counter-clockwise. You will ride back towards the north for about a mile but higher up on the hillside so there are more slickrock sections mixed in. You will come to a large U turn and the trail goes up a short but steep rock section and then takes off south up the ledge. Once on top you have over a mile of slick rock ledges and bowls to play in all the while making your way south down the ridge. Upon reaching the end you will all of a sudden notice large black volcanic rocks strewn about, these are very evident because all you have seen for the last hour or so has been red. Its advisable to go down the wash to get off of the ridge and start heading back north. Once at the bottom you will notice a couple other trails, these are the other access trails mentioned in the directions. There will be a couple different routes up the slick rock, just follow the tire tracks in the sand or make your own fun route, they all end up towards the top at the same place. Just look for the main trail at the top of the hill marked by large carins and all the other tire tracks, follow it north back to the Prospector trail.

First added by AK_Dan on Nov 28, 2009. Last updated May 8, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
The Church Rocks trail is about a 3 mile, mostly slickrock loop, and although there are a couple other access routes due to parking issues etc., the Prospector trail is the most popular route to get to it.
From St. George head north on I-15 to exit 16, the hwy 9 towards Hurricane exit. About 1 mile later turn left (north) on Old Hwy 91 (Telegraph Rd), follow this just about 2 miles and turn left at the Cottonwood Trailhead sign. This is a small dirt rd that runs through a single lane tunnel under the freeway just after a large distributor warehouse, parking is just on the other side of the freeway.

Additional info: The Prospector TrailHead at the Red Cliffs camping area is located at. N 37 degrees 12.669 minutes, W 113 degrees 24.074minutes. This is on the access road to the Red Cliffs camping area. Can park at the white fence area 200' or so from trailhead.
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wchadwick (on Aug 3, 2019)
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Good (on Mar 26, 2023)
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