Riding in North SLC

[Keith A]

I'm going to be riding in North SLC with a friend soon, and here are his suggestions fir some possible rides...

Here are three rides to consider: Emigration Canyon (8 miles of climbing, avg grade of 5%, 1500 ft of climbing, best descent of all canyons, good views of the valley); Millcreek Canyon (9 miles of climbing, avg grade of almost 7%, 2700 ft of climbing, not so great views of the valley though it is a pretty ride) and Big Cottonwood Canyon (15 miles of climbing, avg grade of almost 8%, 4600 ft of climbing, descent is tricky, best views of the valley).

Any recommendations?

[exapkib]

Those are all great climbs that see many cyclists each day. Each of the canyons makes for great riding with a great payoff at the end.

How many miles/hours do you want to be on the road?

If you're in for a bigger climb, you can take Big Cottonwood up over Guardsman into Heber or switch back to Park City.

If you could be talked into coming farther south, I'd say the Alpine Loop (http://www.saltlakecycling.com/showride.php?rideID=1028)(in Utah County) is one of the very best days of riding you could take on.

(On a selfish level, I'm just trying to get you guys to come down here so that I can join you . . . )

[Keith A]

exapkib - Thanks for the info. Does the Apline Loop go by Sundance?

[exapkib]

It does indeed go by Sundance. really nice climb--especially if you can sneak up there on a weekday morning.

Photos?

(I've posted these before, and the fall colors aren't out yet, but still . . . )

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/166_zps078c36f5.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/166_zps078c36f5.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/153_zpsfcb71510.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/153_zpsfcb71510.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/123_zpscfdf81cf.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/123_zpscfdf81cf.jpg.html)

[Olison3]

+1 for the alpine loop.... The route goes through Sundance. I'm not sure how the road conditions are this time of year.. Big Mountain pass is a nice ride you should condisder ( start at zoo up emigration-drop down to little dell reservoir- and up big mountain...about 30 miles out and back total.


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[p nut]

There is still snow up there, although it's melting fast. One of my favorites, but watch for elk on the descents.

Best time to go is right before mem day. Gates still closed, snow all gone, and no traffic on the upper portion of the ride.

[exapkib]

There is still snow up there, although it's melting fast. One of my favorites, but watch for elk on the descents.

Best time to go is right before mem day. Gates still closed, snow all gone, and no traffic on the upper portion of the ride.

That's true--it depends how soon 'soon' is.

[Clipped_in]

Yes, Alpine Loop is an excellent ride, but not fully accessible yet. The road is usually open to traffic the weekend before Memorial Day. Aspen Grove was as far as I could get from the Sundance side last Saturday, but the views were spectacular.

http://i.imgur.com/Dhu35Y6l.jpg

Altamont is as far as you can go from the American Fork Canyon side. Even at that, there are some areas that need the shale cleared from the road, but you can pick your way through that if you are careful.

Also as an FYI, don't ride it on the weekend. The road is very narrow and windy near the top and there are way too many big pickup trucks that will take you out. Weekdays and evenings are great.

You can also extend the Alpine Loop ride by dropping down into Cascade Springs, but you have to come back out the way you went in and that is a pretty good climb.

Provo Canyon South Fork is a nice extension from Vivian Park if you are in the vicinity of Sundance.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9Jvhz24NZAZJWLNWbXNUzvj1ax19YnnTJu4wFqw5e781vLRxyg 6YD29A2Sm-5kv-zPXZCTAhibhoZXVEzgEV-mbfeEwfZ3r9gfp1r8CR9pzGEHElPNjS4fRmPC6DzATT0Uyzjv9 dS907lOcS46fvQn4IuL53LWDcSyGu0XVNWYo9rTrTd_x8_GDaz 0D-XB6asxBoFX17CZeyCzjiLOJAzINI0le8PE9VKsy-wx6CfUz7IjHhdFJUj3pgRlAonzkxikVdKNRXl-479imlx_fvYHu0c4wkYnfLIWlj0BU6t92SreLLRyt784suPeia qIqz09eQ1-xcvsLDNAOJIeFZSiWhTSsQITXCWgiX4neV70xoOL-DkTgLOObOALwKNKJLpPgJG9JrAzeiYFsICC097LC0fol3piJLt hY8szbaSt5TrBGicAzuRAoauuS8NG5GjO_v7cLym2FLlG2TUWb I_gcHEq48APpifebAqYEw5o0NGbsmWveWCyo6Rrw9XUHAkinTw YhOSh8DsLzPW6t4qY-wUeemEb_f8IEOXqB4dIHZxQOFKkt3rLk4riAKoyyBO83Q-c5HgqWoLGwGhpXPmXsQ4IGSyVo2GPhR08hX74MYUX0Pm_F8=w7 00-tmp.jpg

Also, Squaw Peak overlook is a good climb off of Provo Canyon.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HtuIDid19nGr-IN1OpR4vGFbpzffPWteTbEMeFwukLG1km2nnvc-8kPEWmsGX01Qp8xzmU4oGHCUXSiWjzpqOEimHUO8bhYjnoTqeM YnBc1cCHQgWuNcxV107vOv8_LwJ_jb95pWjPgHWiDFonHgW2Ig GDrZqweo9-gu1xc4Yjjswy_4ys5HSvH-hhSek3wfexHE4iC4h_TaujpxGxWoH4EnpgXbScquGcj4IPtiN9 U3bCP7miNU11bLsGkOemtTVGKg2Ds4av9Stk0n7Ur3VaJADlNA 6DaVqZDo_g94RLtnKFrcdGrUHl0cRcHvMJXa4Kx_w3DZsAktcY j1rOVUsDJhpk68iMgOXUR80jRhvgRU0yeWp0INxuASNaWmHYC6 usc049tnWQfwzF1d89_r9ec6hC--kDpycn1bhqGTF2erkymu1E3p7FXHL18oOWXTbZsmqhvcPp3iZD CRL5O5Y6WEOZe7wD1T4dNs8yvvhFO16ZcZHWLTwB8Kb6F2lNuO AgRVc-Nj0hgZgeOByXlyLEZ0TlDMxKK0wub9Jm5y7I3a7C9ZSYRqo8JS fUf_JZQ9EAIAR4PimDE88Z7uviNPdn4KLJMrXdG5xo5Cqt7VGx zR4VVd=s700-tmp.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0ie-4CWmDwhOq0uJbi4PAHbFfKBw8gK-J-0qlyLxs72ji1HA-aQdFQtHsYVZAt2p-ZaeCy6qQkQnVeVpQJBySpJ2yIKETXm-H7qv5agFrU59xT5v-d74Xzd-BJ-VNEi0Hx_7dOK26SEtm5oNl-DGNRC-qDmtGIGxwa-IZ3ZNAjqbCQ3udSnr_c7ikp8c0l2FJlnR-L2FjaqiuH3ABLb-pzfdaRT5FXBnUxV4vrfxx65C13OT2X5pB8QpQtAeMrlNIGDvSK hPAGz053KvoN24q5OvLJ9R7ekj5jPwAbNsWj7gKh6ppzQgIUoN Fy2pWgxAxt3PTRizbnF9l5azU5eDiT2zs1omd926bdBETeKBbY t4PH6c2wkmzuhUv3UOJmLjenpZ63DOJiKalx5Ln0P6tvo1v6PX 4H4QD4ttqT1HLbvu7it89CxBkaJMmuixvt-dEmLf6WidcjaLBZ1SgBhu1ybkxrfp3BFZwYugkVSJTEx2mdXTs eCRbOa-cbPibdyGU6V8vHKb3EsFZ8pS57o7xuUriHwX3UO0p5F_MT89yT awJLLjrj_H_eIQOj-DP3GZWv8YH1U2t_JhmSPWwt-c9GTHxKIwG2J_yyDgHhxsm8QHZrKB_ASv=s700-tmp.jpg

South and east of Park City is the Wolf Creek Pass from Heber City/Midway is an excellent ride, but it probably won't be open until the end of May either. I do it the second week of June every year and it is fantastic.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eMYpj5jF7xa3q6uy_CTGfTtKw6DxkHv1yx1JoC4t603BpKJwIq 093bRODzR5DgNuEA9S6A1RAF9ClfN_wiaZBWzBdOGPsPWiZfb7 x0kX88gLT2hm_2i36GxMpEzbrF4iHyV_d6Vd4cHNRQrn-bwvCj25xc03T-0Lb_yV256HSsTy7TP33qIdRYcz7si0F6Rfu8Ue42HZ7gHUwYYp K7VPm7MMjleFcF43mW9ohWrT-iA6SOn4t6X25UVn0673o5iXdhRn2gpbOH4ugjpMU1BsHcR5pRu 3TvkNgdWrMYCEwVhm1HPnxIp5ppSF0VKTYICzU4DZomtT3frqe 81CnEofAI5rW8NUdKI9Buli22Y3deHp5eI_lz91RdL1xZWUbbs QeFI1uVh6IXa54q01ueMv5inz3VzvCPkMA8mpyrQESMsV32oRd yUjfnfDIWI-iE8o6kl3ViYwXTH1_MJ8QifYEQRpRnRPtMl9hmu8cXmULt3vrM amMC9gh3oJZvOQFYSAFGKY07UVejTyTdS11LNbFd4cfGVhNBmD NsDsiQAKmvwxk_KH52TvY9xY0PdTRKUEZ6ngQlRPYizAr4N9bn R24A3qZ6Ee411Y1Uo8tir6kPGhSmOpbb6L=s700-tmp.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3-UutolEb7ZcQrsbgS9Ll3sBxCPOjtGaElypq1HjzHf4nscdKHU-u-HfOr291zzVaqJgD40BtskSh4eOMUFotIb0sK7JunflgDmCtfHC pbzJnGsmt-VyhneDMp_QaiIi3DOkWV6YSjAkEiYmxy-T7G4VGSSuU-ynTlPyO1phoS5y6CdcXVHwah_81Li0P4YBDzlNtULKBoDCH_Fb fV0iMRygEtJD31_c3yEUy0IKEAsLwQlC9p82fbtwKDaoEjBqYC lF8rTAw1r9muJ9URizZzWhKXGSS7Mk7RfHJ0ls9B2D95wkz3V9 SI229ZObRERyFU-K0ofVYV3EcathLZ80jkwMUS-wUs6MghNWruogGHu_DSRV6bowOogiOJJCiSj6VFJpKrOKT4bEX vlBUhX1h2WV3ODIAXlkYfDDB2DVmA7AgyoiQY-JgNBywEGC-NAby1CNFmaFReNT8rJmmKbocg46XnCHMH4ozaankyNfwYhB4SF gSkId2TpoUa7jKG-RjYaBASuaiba8hqj3YEHPPKHIiRx8sstmbOPsVy5zTgxMjWrou cEL8CYwVcut-FinjWbpRvUC5KvZafPUfeOGHbfGYdrTxi51qJDZwfOb3YwhWz1 wsYqb=w700-tmp.jpg

Hobble Creek from Springville is another nice canyon ride that is available now. I like to ride both forks doing the right fork first.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qJ_QE2cjH48hIixCh5yqF3-6vL5TiHzyuFYc3r-Wr9sZbX3EKO9wj57Wf0Z18Lovso0aWyFOD7skLe4QGz-q-autz8GphGchlgFig8uJOqPH9cWFywMxzGCf0UtnIS2Vkmm87WO p52sCl0RG_SsxMmO_iQqPBKMPBiKZ0u4xgri_7fsbPBRrGlWqW 2OjYKKUnV1gqTYvbjTjQXM3YAT4GaSXktZZpeINmjykFfLW3RA pYwxrINRXyRszMsZjwWTCwwWZRMrHfiitF_TGzIiQuk5GZOmnn aW2AMdTGU8a04sFjepWnulRX_Mz8HwgGlMhVJX5o3rxfZ-tBtguGkVX6cItAQopmrdACqUwd8pnT7EL30MtoCIE_U0wPFLgW 9NeFz0megXxYOu5uJRHI1YdaYJKBDCucwOSNOIdHQeuIzmaI-4VPZn_dTzGPDs46s54vARlZK4VrV54c-9Rf_67rlNmvYVJQxy08xOoH3cA_I61hrniLQck0625kqXuH7Wy rYuNlii5BkWhAR3lxl9MZuWz_IcGb-ISE3KoZB9t5MVYXlaE8tO7sIoTN9KtjQXXl0IF4TYqCoDS_2b4 HdnghxMZLVEML-2u3ByojSyKH9mx3zs9=s700-tmp.jpg

Those are all a little bit outside of SLC, but not far.

[Clipped_in]

There is still snow up there, although it's melting fast. One of my favorites, but watch for elk on the descents.

Best time to go is right before Memorial Day. Gates still closed, snow all gone, and no traffic on the upper portion of the ride.

That is a great pic. Funny, I've done that ride countless times and have only seen elk twice. Lots of deer, and lots of moose, an occasional Big Horn Sheep, but not many elk--shrug...

[Keith A]

Just got back from Utah this past weekend. Great trip!!! My youngest daughter and her husband both graduated from college. While we were there we did bunch of hiking in Zion National Park...beautiful place. Also did a little hiking around SLC and Provo, and had a short visit to Bryce Canyon.

I managed to get in one ride with a pal that I hadn't seen in almost 30 years. I rented a bike from Bountiful Bicycle. Nice shop, but they are certainly a Specialized shop. Our ride started near the zoo and rode up Emigration Canyon and over the top until we were level with the lake. We then went back to the top, then downhill and over to Millcreek Canyon. This one was a little tougher and I was feeling the elevation and lack of oxygen. We couldn't go all the way to the top due to the snow on the road. The total ride was 45 miles with about 4500 ft of climbing...not bad for this flatlander.

I'll get some pictures posted later on.

[Keith A]

Yes, Alpine Loop is an excellent ride, but not fully accessible yet. The road is usually open to traffic the weekend before Memorial Day. Aspen Grove was as far as I could get from the Sundance side last Saturday, but the views were spectacular.
...Drove up to Sundance and hiked towards Stewart Falls. Loved the drive, and would have liked to ride this too. We didn't make it to the falls as there was an avalanche that had covered the trail to the falls and we had no idea where we were going. But my wife loved playing in the snow...and I lost my reading glasses there.

[Ralph]

Sounds like you had a great time. Utah is a terrific state to visit.

As a retiree, who has traveled all over the west, in most of the climates, I think Utah is my favorite....to visit. Like it better than Colorado for visiting. Colorado front range getting way too crowded.

[unterhausen]

there are some rides I regret not going on when I lived in Utah. Although I was pretty far north of SLC. These pictures are amazing.

[SoCalSteve]

there are some rides I regret not going on when I lived in Utah. Although I was pretty far north of SLC. These pictures are amazing.

Utah is like another world of its own. The red rock formations make you think you could be on a different planet.

I've ridden in Moab and around the St. George area. Both fantastic areas to ride in and around.

[exapkib]

Glad you had such a good trip! I should have expressed our Provo hospitality more clearly--would have loved to connect for a ride or just a visit. Glad you made it up the canyon(s).

[Keith A]

Glad you had such a good trip! I should have expressed our Provo hospitality more clearly--would have loved to connect for a ride or just a visit. Glad you made it up the canyon(s).I'm sorry we didn't connect, although our schedules were pretty full trying to cram everything in a short period of time. I was purposely not specific with our travel plans as I didn't want to publicize when would be out of town. I'd love to go and spend a month out there to hike and ride!!!