Mountain Bike: Park City. Jared Hargrave
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setting off on a longer ride that covers many miles and most of the day, then it’s best to be self-sufficient and bring all of the above items. Being prepared is especially important if you’re alone or planning on exploring trails at higher elevations and in more remote areas.
When you’re recreating at high elevation, drinking enough water is important, especially while mountain biking. A single water bottle on your bike frame is often not enough on long rides. The Institute of Altitude Medicine recommends drinking 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily when you’re above 5000 feet. Therefore, carrying a pack with a hydration bladder ensures that you have enough hydration for longer rides.
E-BIKES
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become very popular in recent years. In fact, e-bikes are the fastest growing category in cycling. But new technology can cause controversy. And in the mountain biking world nothing has been more controversial than e-bikes. So, what’s the problem? Basically, the trails in Park City are nonmotorized and many people consider e-bikes motorized vehicles. As I write this, e-bikes are prohibited in Park City on natural surface trails and are limited to paved bike trails. However, the ordinance allows people 65 and older, or those with mobility issues, to ride e-bikes on all trails. This ordinance may change in the near future; check with any Park City bike shop or contact Mountain Trails Foundation or Basin Recreation to find out more.
E-bikes are allowed on some trails in this book, including all trails inside Utah State Parks (Wasatch Mountain and Jordanelle) and the High Star Ranch trail system. Until state or national laws are passed allowing e-bikes on all trails, it’s best to check with the appropriate land agency to determine if e-bikes are allowed on your chosen route.
FAT BIKES
Fat bikes are becoming very popular for riding in the snow. Park City is an awesome place to fat bike and many of the trails in this book can be ridden in the winter. Mountain Trails Foundation and Basin Recreation groom the trails for multiuse in certain areas.
Perhaps the best venue for fat biking is Round Valley. All four trailheads are open in the winter, and signs point the way for the trail’s preferred use. Other fat biking areas include Willow Creek between Park City and Kimball Junction, Ecker Hill Middle School, and The Woods of Parleys Lane near Summit Park.
Outside established, groomed areas, you can always fat bike other singletrack as long as the snow isn’t too deep or soft. Anything that’s not within a ski resort’s boundary is fair game. The Glenwild area, Rail Trail, and the East Park City trails like Lost Prospector are good options when snow conditions are primo.
RULES OF THE TRAIL
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) launched its Rules of the Trail to educate mountain bikers and serve as a pro-bike advocacy tool. The trails in Park City are extremely popular and sometimes crowded, especially with hikers and other trail users like equestrians. Be courteous and follow these guidelines for responsible riding to ensure that mountain bikers keep access to trails for years to come.
Respect the Landscape
Respect your local trail builders and be a good steward of the physical environment. Keep singletrack single by staying on the trail. Practice Leave No Trace principles. Do not ride muddy trails because it causes rutting, widening, and maintenance headaches. Ride through standing water, not around it. Ride on (or walk) technical features, not around them.
High-speed approach to a banked berm on Tidal Wave (Route 12) in Deer Valley Bike Park (Photo by Justin Lozier)
Share the Trail
Most of the trails we ride are multiuse. Mountain bikers yield to horses and foot traffic, and descending riders yield to climbing riders. This yield triangle has been formally adopted by land managers since the late 1970s and is a significant reason why we have the access we do. There are some regional differences and unique rules on single-use, directional mountain bike trails—know the code where you ride. Be nice. Say hi.
Ride Open, Legal Trails
Poaching trails, building illegal singletrack, or adding unauthorized trail features are detrimental to our access. Poorly built features could also seriously injure other trail users. If you believe there aren’t enough trails or variety near you, it’s time to get involved. Your engagement will be welcomed because it takes a village to create, enhance, and protect great places to ride.
Ride in Control
Speed, inattentiveness, and rudeness are the primary sources of trail conflict among user groups. Slow down, ring a bell, or verbally announce yourself if you need to pass, and then wait until the other trail user is out of the path. Use extra caution around horses, which are unpredictable. Be extra aware when riding trails with poor sight lines and blind corners and make sure you can hear what’s going on around you.
Plan Ahead
Be prepared and self-sufficient. Every mountain biker should carry what they need for the ride they’re undertaking and know how to fix a flat tire and make minor repairs. Download a GPS trail app on your phone for navigation or carry a map in unfamiliar locations. Ride with a partner or share your riding plan with someone if you’re heading out solo.
Mind the Animals
When it comes to wildlife, live and let live. In some places, running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses. If you want to ride with your dog, first find out whether it’s allowed by looking up the leash laws. Be prepared to take care of your dog. Ensure your companion is obedient enough to not cause problems for you, other trail users, or wild animals.
ENJOY THE RIDE
The most important thing to remember while mountain biking in Park City is to have fun! The vast network of trails has rides for all skill levels, so there is an endless amount of options to curate your personal two-wheeled adventure. I honestly can’t imagine another mountain bike destination in the world that is more friendly, accessible, and entertaining (both on and off the trail) than Park City, Utah.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guidebook features 47 routes, starting with Park City and radiating out to surrounding areas from Deer Valley, Canyons Village, and the Utah Olympic Park to Parleys Canyon/Glenwild, Round Valley, and Guardsman Pass. Beyond the Park City core, I include trail networks in neighboring towns like Heber City, Midway, Kamas, and Oakley.
Each route begins with basic information such as elevation gain, mileage, ride type, technical difficulty, and fitness intensity. I then offer a basic overview of the ride, driving directions to the trailhead, and a mileage log of the route marking every major intersection and point of interest. At the end of each route, a final section highlights options or ways you can tailor the featured route to match your preferences or, in some cases, skill level or available time. And, of course, there is a map highlighting the main route and intersecting trails, parking areas, and major roads. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in each route description.
RIDE TYPE
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