BIG, EPIC, SWEEPING VISTAS AND SCENERY LIKE NOWHERE ELSE ON THE PLANET WITH SOME OF THE MOST JAW-DROPPING MOUNTAIN BIKING ANYWHERE ON EARTH.
Not as well-known (or as crowded) as its famous cousin, Moab, to the East, the St. George and Hurricane areas nonetheless offer up epic mountain biking on the same scale, with a plethora of big descents from mountaintops down to spectacular valleys. This trip boasts tons of mountain biking adventure, riding the best selection of intermediate to advanced level trails the area offers.
Is This Ride For You?
You’re an intermediate level rider with enough experience to know your favorite trail types to hit at home, you can handle rocky terrain and narrow singletrack. You are looking to expand your bike handling skills through thoughtful and personal coaching. You’re comfortable and confident riding a blend of trail ranging from cross country and all-mountain trails (think long and sometimes steep climbs paired with fun and semi-technical descents) and willing to give downhill a try. Riding multiple days in a row, 3–5 hours per day is no biggie to you. You are adventurous enough to ride near the cliff edges of mesas (from a safe distance). You need a destination you can get in and out or with ease and want to have every detail handled for you. You live for long days on the bike with adventure-minded friends, rewarded by the comforts of a post-ride beer cooler, great meals, and comfortable lodging.
Itinerary
DAY 1. St. George Here We Come!
Hop in the van! Pick ups are early on day 1, there are trails to ride! After bike builds and fits, your guides (all are certified instructors on top of world class guides) will run a bike handling and fundaments session, talk a little safety and hit dirt. We will ease into the week with a warm-up at the Green Valley trails.
This is a wonderful day to check out one of our favorite local bike shops, Red Rock Bicycle Co if you are looking for a nice jersey to take home or something for the bike for the week ahead.
After our ride we will check in at our accommodations and get ready for our first night out as a group.
DAY 2. Guacamole with a side of JEM
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise on your own private balcony overlooking the town of St. George, dusted with a backdrop of the Pine Valley Mountains and the vibrant red rock of Snow Canyon State Park. We will head directly to Hurricane.
Today, we will be riding in two different areas. Both offer very unique terrain. The morning will start with the Guacamole trail system and then we will transition over to the JEM trails.
Starting out on sandstone and petrified dunes will be a great warm up. We will then progress into more challenging terrain, where you will s rock drops, steep punchy climbs, slabs, and incredible rock formations.
We’ll have a picnic lunch at the trailhead then head down the road to ride one of southern Utah’s flowiest trails, JEM. Considered by BIKE Magazine to be a trail with some of the best flow in the U.S. JEM is just that… a gem!
You will be begging for a second lap. No problem! We’ll be right there with you!
Head back to the hotel for a little R & R before we head out for dinner.
DAY 3. Up to you!
Today is entirely up to you to choose what you’d like to do. Want a rest day? Sounds great! Relax at our lodging, catch some zzz’s, or work on some bike skills.
Want to get out for a ride? Love the enthusiasm! We are happy to take folks out on the trail today to get some more pedaling in and smiles on faces.
Want to go check out the famous Zion National Park? Definitely a bucket list place to visit! We are happy to set you up with a local guiding company to get out and explore the national park today. We will be packing our lunches to go for this day. If you are looking for more of a relaxing day you are welcome to explore more of Springdale or walk around the Visitor Center.
Dinner is on your own tonight. Lots to choose from and we will give you great suggestions.
DAY 4. Gooseberry and Wire Mesa
We’ve made it to day 4 and have been riding a ton and building on your toolbox of skills. We are headed to Wire Mesa in the morning and then Gooseberry Mesa after lunch. This will likely be the most challenging ride we wrangle in the area, but the rewards are matched to the effort.
Wire Mesa will be a good morning warm-up with a mix of fast and flowy, a few technical sections, and unforgettable views. Lunch will be at the van.
Gooseberry is a total classic trail. You cannot come to the St. George area and miss this epic network of trails.
From the trailhead, we will start with tame double track before getting to the rim of the mesa where we will leave the tame behind and ride the tech and feel some of the exposure the region is known for. We will work in small groups to support the added challenge and cheer on our co-riders as we navigate Gooseberry.
The views from the ride will stop you in your tracks so we recommend keeping your camera close at hand.
Day 5. Little Creek Mountain
Pack up, eat breakfast, and get ready for another beautiful day of riding. We are heading to the Little Creek Mountains.
The riding here is similar in technical style to Gooseberry but offers a unique feel. You will find a mix of it all—flow, packed dirt, tech, and slabs. The mesas provide incredible viewpoints.
It’s time to say our goodbyes. After a solid day on the trail, we head back to St. George and share farewell high-fives and hugs.
This replaces the default
Day | Hours of riding | Distance ridden | Elevation gained | Elevation lost | Highest elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | 14 | 1100 | 1100 | 4100 |
2 | 4.5 | 25 | 3300 | 3300 | 4000 |
3 | 4.5 | 16 | 900 | 900 | 4600 |
4 | 4.5 | 26 | 3000 | 3000 | 5400 |
5 | 4 | 15 | 2000 | 2000 | 4400 |
Totals | 20.5 HRS |