Cool temperatures, spectacular wildflowers and fall foliage can make early and late season excellent times for mountain biking near Salt Lake City. While high elevation trails may be covered in snow, lower elevation trails can be dry and snow-free as early as mid-March and as late as early December. Of course, these trails are all great for summer riding as well.
Note: These trail descriptions give general information only. For detailed information on each trail, click "More Info."
All photos courtesy of utahmountainbiking.com
1. Bonneville Shoreline Trail North, City Creek Canyon to Emigration Canyon
2. Bonneville Shoreline Trail South (Sandy/Draper)
The south Salt Lake City portion of the Bonneville Shoreline trail runs from Willow Park in Sandy to Corner Canyon in Draper, where it's possible ride over into Utah Valley. It's a moderate climb with a lot of variety including plenty of smooth singletrack, but also tight switchbacks and rocky sections. Some sections of the northern half are advanced technical or unrideable and require walking. The Sandy/Draper portion of the BST can be accessed from Willow Park, Upper Corner Canyon Road and Hog's Hollow trail in Alpine.
3. Ensign Peak
4. Little Cottonwood Creek Trail
5. Mill Creek Pipeline
6. Ghost Falls
Ghost Falls is in Draper's Corner Canyon, which is crisscrossed by several mountain bike trails, so there are several options for getting there. Corner Canyon's bike trails can be accessed from the Lower Corner Canyon, Coyote Hollow and Canyon Hollow trailheads. The trails in Corner Canyon have undergone big changes in the past three years (as of 2010), and most maps are out of date, but there are lots of signs to follow. The Ghost Falls trail has a North loop, which climbs above and loops down to the falls, and a South loop, which takes a more direct route to the falls with less climbing.
