Mountain Trails

Mountain Trails Foundation

We build, maintain and protect Park City, Utah's trails

Rick Fournier, Field Manager

February Trail Report

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The Greatest (and deepest) Snow on Earth ™

You’ll rarely hear Parkites complain about a big winter and countless, deep, powder days (unless you live in Summit Park and don’t own a snowblower). We all “moved here for the winters and stayed for the summers,” after all.  And when four Utah ski resorts are reporting the most snowfall in North America, in January, you know that it’s a winter of epic proportions.  But is it possible to have too much of a good thing???  

As the first sustained period of high pressure since November settles in upon the Wasatch Back, those of us that work in the snow business are finally getting a little reprieve and a chance to catch our collective breathes. For the hearty individuals who work out in it – the snowplow operators, groomers, lift-mechanics, ski patrollers and the under-appreciated lifties, a winter like this can be extremely challenging. But it’s a challenge that we all embrace, despite shovel-weary arms and tired ski-legs. 

The MTF Winter Crew has had its own set of snow-related challenges this winter.  The snow gods, Urll and Boreas, chest-bumped and threw down a relentless sage-and-singletrack swallowing snowpack on the Round Valley trails, unlike anything I’ve seen since we started the grooming program 16 years ago.  And nearly all these storms have been accompanied by strong winds that have created dense, waist-to-head-high, wave-like drifting conditions that are hard on both the equipment and the operators.    

Burying a snowmobile multiple times in three-plus feet of snow can be a backbreaking, sweat-inducing, shovel-fest.  And leveling drifts with the cat often requires multiple passes and several hours behind the wheel. Our two grooming snowmobiles and the tracked 4-wheeler have all been out of commission at some point this winter.  And la Pantera Roja (our cat) has also been temporarily sidelined with mechanical issues, twice.  

Prior to the start of this epic season, our soon-to-be rookie groomers were questioning, why place so many PVC and fiberglass markers out on the trails, late fall?  Well, grasshoppers, it’s for rare years like this when one might actually lose the trail.  And THIS winter, trails have literally been lost, multiple times.  Grooming singletrack is a challenging enough endeavor, but in a year like this, the real challenge has been FINDING the singletrack, and in some cases, even the Nordic.    

Remember the Etch-A-Sketch you played with as a kid?  Shake it up, your artwork disappears, and you have a blank slate. That pretty much sums up the snow/wind effect on the singletrack this winter. Immediately after a storm passes, we typically do multiple packing laps with the snowmobile, and then a few more with the snowmobile/drag combo.  More often than not this year, our efforts have been obliterated, as storm after storm wipes the slate clean.  

Because of this year’s non-stop snow-train, part of our daily work plan has included post-storm snowshoeing or skinning the trails (along with a little help from our friends) armed with the TrailForks gps app, to make sure we’re actually “on-trail”. Kinda like leaving breadcrumbs for the snowmobile to follow.  All in the name of winter recreation.                       

So, the next time you’re grinning ear to ear after multiple, bottomless resort laps, a fast and firm fat bike ride, or a skate on perfectly groomed corduroy, be sure to thank those winter warriors who work tirelessly to make it all happen.  And DON’T forget the lifties.    

Enjoy these bluebird days and soak up some of that rare vitamin D, because February is typically one of the snowiest months of the year…   

Have a great one out there!

Support the Crew and Winter Grooming

Round Valley in the Winter 

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Many moons ago, when we first dipped our toes into the winter recreational experiment, AKA,”Pilot Program”, that has evolved into the current Round Valley Winter Trails program, we really had no idea what we were building.  There were a lot of question marks in those early days with the biggest X-factor being that of the cold, white variety.  Would Round Valley hold enough snow to groom???  Climate change awareness and “Save Our Snow” forums at the time, added to the doubt.  

In those early years, we had one old, high-mileage, ex-resort snowmobile chained to the gate near Wyatt Earp on the Rail Trail, and a beat up, Yellowstone box drag parked beside it.  A short segment of the Rail Trail along with a trail around the tennis courts at Solamere, were the only things being groomed in town those days beyond the Nordic Center.  I was pretty green to Mountain Trails at the time and as part of my new, year-round role, our director, Carol Potter, along with some fine folks at the City, encouraged me to pursue winter trails, with the Round Valley open space being the low-hanging, snow-covered fruit.  

Soon we would buy our first new snowmobile, a cleaner and quieter, 4-stroke with electric start, no less, and the city would purchase a grooming drag from a company called Tidd Tech out of Winter Park Co.  The learning curve was a quick one, with a big winter, a lot of flailing, getting stuck, shoveling out, cursing, rinse, and repeat.  But we were off and running with several kilometers of groomed trail, utilizing the old Round Valley jeep roads, and soon, some newly built soft-surface trails.

The early success was taken to a new level in 2009/10, when the City purchased a brand spanking new Piston Bully 100 cat(la Pantera Roja) to replace their old cat.  I was given a quick, two-hour, crash-course on intricacies of cat-driving by the crusty old City parks manager, Dave Urban, and we were off to the winter rodeo… until I ran out of gas on day one, in the furthest reaches of the inner valley, and as far away from fuel supply as I could be.  Sigh… it seems that during my two-hour training sesh, I missed the chapter about the fuel gauge.

In 2010, local outdoor rec icon and super-hero, Charlie Sturgis was at the helm, and with his background operating the White Pine Nordic Center, we took the Round Valley grooming program to the next level.  We would “up our level of service” as Charlie liked to say.  Soon we were grooming 20Km of trail daily, and as one long-time local who flagged me down in the cat described it… “you are creating joy”.  Well, it doesn’t get much better than that!    

Mountain Trails would attempt to organize a Nordic race/fundraiser, beginning in 2011- the infamous Round Valley Round-Up. Year one brought white-out, blizzard conditions and near frost bite.  Years two and three offered unseasonably warm conditions, slurpy-like snow, and numerous water features to negotiate- pond skimming on skinny skis.  We decided the event was cursed and reluctantly pulled the plug.      

During the winters of 2016 & 17, our good friend, Alex Stoy, purveyor of joy, would join the grooming team of two. With his glass half-full enthusiasm, creative wit and offbeat sense of humor, Alex would take the simple concept of a grooming report to a whole new realm, one that we’re still trying to emulate.  Suddenly, a contingency of loyal followers were eagerly awaiting the latest caffeine-induced, early morning report, complete with great photos and “Stoyisms”.

About that same time, fat biking was starting to take off and Mountain Trails was one of the first orgs to groom singletrack for this new user group.  Early on, we were using our big, clunky, grooming snowmobile with an old, weighted-down spare Suburban tire in tow.  We still occasionally use that same tire, but we now have a stealth and light, yet powerful, singletrack snowmobile- Little Red, and multiple grooming implements for varying conditions.  

Throughout this wild ride, we have experienced some great snow years, and some dismal ones.  There have been wind events that would bury the trails in wave-like, 5-foot tall drifts, and many years that we were fighting all winter to hang on to a 2-inch base.  

We have seen some of the most stunningly beautiful sunrises and bluebird days, along with vertigo-inducing, flat-light days, where you felt like you were floating in the Land of Oz.  And numerous wildlife sightings including the resident elk herd, coyotes, golden eagles and moose are always a highlight of the early mornings.           

More recently, we’ve added “ski only” areas like Land Of Oz and Hanscom’s Hollow, along with many miles of year-round singletrack.  Through necessity, we have added winter staff, and additional equipment.  

One thing for certain, the world’s largest dog park, Round Valley, remains a unique and spectacular environment for winter recreation, wildlife viewing, human interaction and of course, the spreading of joy.  And none of this would be possible without the generous support of the local community.  As the faded old sign on the cat window says, we are literally “fueled by your donations”.      

So, circling back to the original question… will Round Valley hold snow?  16 years in, as we contend with nearly 3 feet of snow to kick off the new year, I think we can put that one to rest.  

Wishing you all a healthy and joyous New Year filled with many miles (and Km’s) of smiles.      

Trails Report Early Winter ’22-’23

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To coin a Gumpism, Park City winters are like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re going to get. Thus far, this early-season, we’ve managed to snag the salted caramel, with a solid, white-chocolate coating. Thanks to early November storms and cold temps, we were able to get the snowball rolling, grooming nearly 15 Km of high-alpine Nordic track in beautiful Bonanza Flat- the earliest start for our winter trails program, ever! Add to that, improved accessibility to Bonanza, thanks to our trail partners, Park City Municipal and Utah Open Lands, who fired up the winter version of the Transit to Trails program, shuttling snowshoers, skiers, fat-bikers, and four-legged friends up to Empire Pass.

The transition from summer ops to winter was a brief one this season, as we were just wrapping up trail projects in late October. Winter trails prep consists of installing literally hundreds of PVC/rebar and fiberglass markers on nearly 50 km of Nordic track and 25 miles of singletrack we maintain. We perform this ritual each fall in anticipation of a big, phat, winter, where losing the trail is a distinct possibility. Other pre-groom work includes trimming back the upper tree branches, clearing deadfall, and mowing the tall grasses and encroaching sage to ensure the best snow-surface possible.

This year’s MTF winter trails team will consist of first-year, summer trail crew members; Matt Jones and Sean Ward, along with Alec Johnson returning for his second winter. Derek DeHaas and super-hero, Todd Henneman, will round out the team, lending a hand as needed. We’re stoked to have these guys on-board for what’s shaping up to be a stellar winter.

What’s New?

Fat Heads rejoice! New, this season, we’ve added the farm-fresh Sparky trail at Clark Ranch to the mix, for 3.5 miles of groomed fatty-flow and snowshoe fun. With the Big Easy loop in Round Valley, now complete, we’ll also be grooming the entire 6-mile loop for your rolling and strolling (when firm) pleasure.

Nordic Skiing

We’ll continue grooming Bonanza through the weekend of December 18th and potentially later in the spring. And of course, we’ll be grooming all the usual suspects in Round Valley and Clark Ranch as well as the Rail Trail from Bonanza to Hwy 248. While we will not be able to groom the entire Land of Oz this year (a large chunk of it has been tilled) we should be able to milk 3-4km out of it. The Green Heart 5K, accessed from Willow Creek Park, will be in play again this year as well. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to access these agricultural easements for winter recreation but there is some give and take with that privilege.

Winter Trail Updates

As always, we’ll be posting daily grooming updates on our Facebook page and website. For a visual look at what cord and classic has been set, be sure to check out our interactive map.

Tune in to KPCW daily at 7:20am for the Mountain Trails, Wasatch Trails and Basin Rec regional winter trail report. 

Etiquette

Winter etiquette is all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Round Valley in the winter is an amazing, grand, socio-recreational experiment that has functioned incredibly well for nearly 15 years. Yes, we are seeing more use, and it’s not to say we don’t have the occasional bad player or two, but for the most part, everyone, be it a hiker, fat biker, dog walker or skate skier, all get along swimmingly, or is that skatingly? We at Mountain Trails have made a concerted effort to separate uses where possible, with trails like the Big Easy (fat bike), Hanscom’s Hollow and Land of Oz (ski only) and that has no doubt, improved the user experience for everyone.

Some general winter etiquette tips:

Fat Bikes– If you are creating a rut deeper than one inch, conditions are too soft. Try lowering your tire pressure (2-5psi) or turn around. #RutsSuck!

Foot Traffic– Please stay to the outside edge, opposite the classic lanes, on the wide-groomed Nordic track and avoid blocking the trail. Don’t run or hike on the singletrack if you are leaving a footprint deeper than 1-inch. Especially just after a storm. Consider taking the snowshoes out for a tromp instead.

Skiers- Contrary to summer bike etiquette, skate skiers trending in the uphill direction must yield to the downhill skiers. Round Valley is NOT a Nordic center. Please slow down at busy intersections and when passing other trail users, pass with patience. 

Dogs – Maintain control of, and keep your pups within sight, at all times. Pick up after them (including tossing sticks/sage off-trail) and do not leave poop bags lying on the trail. There are 14 trash cans spread out throughout Round Valley, please use them!

Support The Crew and Winter Grooming

2022 ANNUAL TRAIL REPORT: A BIG Summer for Trails

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This past summer, trails season was our most successful to date, with our team completing 6 major projects and nearly finishing two others.  It was also one of our most meaningful, both in scope and in overcoming numerous hurdles along the way.  “Directional” & “Purpose-Built” were the overriding themes, with all trails except for one being directional in nature, and each designed with a purpose.  And let’s not forget our general maintenance program, one that included reroutes, drainage work, deadfall removal, and the clearing of many miles of thick vegetation, thanks to a wet summer.  Here’s a look at this summer’s highlights.

Sparky (Clark Ranch)

Named after the Family Vacation, Clark Griswold character, and as a nod to its eMTB-friendly status, this 3.5 mile-long, multi-use, directional (for bikes) loop, is located on the newly City annexed, Clark Ranch easement, off Richardson Flat Road, on the east side of Highway 40.  This was a breakout project for our 4-year crew member, Tim McChesney.  He did most of the machine work, incorporating many “flow” features into the descent to bump up the fun factor, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.  This is a NO DOG trail due to the agricultural easement and seasonal grazing that takes place on the property.  The loop will be groomed this winter for fat biking and we hope to add additional “flow” lines off the east side of the loop next season.       

Big Easy (Round Valley)

Work began on this project 3 years ago, with the concept of creating a true beginner and adaptive-bike-friendly loop trail in Round Valley.  With winter “fat bike” use exploding in popularity, we were also looking at how we could better separate that use from the Nordic trails during the winter months, and this was our opportunity to do just that.  At 5.5 miles in length, the Big Easy circumnavigates Round Valley, with several “bailout points”, creating shorter loop options for families and beginner adaptive cyclists.  Prior to this year’s dirt work, our team watched a webinar on adaptive bike trail development, and it opened our eyes to design elements that we hadn’t previously considered. Alec did an amazing job incorporating that knowledge into a super fun, flowy trail that will hopefully see significant adaptive use, as well as creating a sweet fat bike loop in the winter months. This one checks a lot of boxes.       

Big Dipper (SkyRidge Mountain Community)

For the past 4 years, Mountain Trails has been working with the SkyRidge Mountain Community on developing a trails master plan for the new development.  That partnership has resulted in nearly 8 miles of new, public, hiking, and eMTB-friendly biking trails along the northeast corner of the Jordanelle Reservoir.  Most recently, our team collaborated with Singletrack Trails LLC, on the construction of the Big Dipper; a 2.2-mile-long, directional downhill and bike-only trail from the summit of SkyRidge Peak, down to the start of the Milky Way trail, creating a 6-mile-long, loop.  With its unique volcanic rock formations, exposure, and unrestricted views, this trail is unlike anything else you’ll ride in Park City.

Lynx Trail (Park City Heights)

After completing the upper half (one mile) last season, the team completed the lower half (an additional mile) this year.  Winding its way up through the thick oak and maple stands, this trail provides a connection from the Rail Trail near Richardson Flat Rd, up to the Foxtail/Upper Skid Row area.  With plans to build a downhill, bike-only trail in the area, this trail will eventually be uphill only for bikes and multi-directional for hiking.  This project was funded by Park City Heights as part of their commitment to developing 4 miles of hiking and biking trails adjacent to their development.   

Mother Urban(Treasure Hill/Old Town)     

In early July we completed the last two miles of Mother Urban, a project we had started the previous year.  Named after a colorful character in Park City history, this 4.5-mile-long trail begins just off Lowell Ave, crossing paths with Old Town classics such as Sweeny’s, Gravedigger, and John’s ’99, throughout its 1,200-foot ascent to the Mid Mtn trail near King Road.  The primary intent of the project was to take pressure off both Jenni’s and Armstrong and create a great climbing (uphill only for bikes) and hiking experience in the heart of Old Town.  It also allows for numerous new loop options with nearby trails.  This one gets the award for the most challenging project of the summer, both logistically and from a construction standpoint. This project also brings front and center MTF’s ability to leverage private donations for public good. A full one half of this, $100K+ project was funded by generous donations from a group of really awesome people.  

Cyn City (Park City Mountain)   

In mid-July, after two plus years of planning and construction, we completed the Cyn City trail, named in memory of long-time local trails advocate, trail-builder and mountain biking pioneer, Cyndi Schwandt.  Funded by a Utah Outdoor Rec grant with a match made by Cyndi’s family and estate, this 2.5 mile-long, directional downhill and bike-only trail was the first new connection to be built off of Charlie’s 9K with a Mid Mtn end-point.  From the start, the vision was to design a mountain bike trail that had the potential to positively touch the largest number of riders.  We wanted to create something that would be more inclusive and fun for riders of varied ability levels.  With large bermed turns, rollers, table-tops and numerous “side-hit” features in the mix, the trail was designed to be “interactive”.  So, while a lower intermediate rider can navigate it without feeling intimidated, a more experienced rider will quickly realize that with a few extra pedal strokes, it can be as fun or as challenging as you choose to make it.  We have had 9-year-olds, 70-somethings, and every age and ability level in between, all grinning ear to ear, as they exit Cyndi’s trail.  Mission accomplished!    

Chainge Reaction (Park City Mountain)  

The ying, to Cyn City’s yang, Chainge Reaction is intended to be an advanced, expert-only, downhill bike trail, with steep drops, jumps, roots, rocks, and tight trees.  You will literally “drop in” on this one off Charlie’s 9K, just before the talus runout below Jupiter Peak, with the finish near the bottom of the McConkey’s lift as well as a return connector to Keystone, earlier on. This project was funded, in full, by a generous MTF donor. On this project, we are collaborating with professional trail builder, Derek Thomson of Apex Trails.  We look forward to a mid-summer, 2023 completion for this one.  This trail should really help to fill the void for riders looking for a more advanced, technical, and feature-rich, downhill option at Park City Mountain.  

Bonanza Multi-Use loop (Bonanza Flat)

Construction on the Bonanza Loop began over 3 years ago as part of the trails master plan for the area.  After multiple alignment changes and numerous challenges, in September we resumed construction on this 5-mile-long, high alpine, cross-country loop and will complete the project late next summer.  As the first and likely only, mountain bike-friendly trail in Bonanza, the loop will be directional, counterclockwise for bikes and multi-directional for foot traffic.  Because wildlife frequents the area, it will also be a “no dog” trail.  With this alignment being less than a quarter mile from the Wasatch State Park boundary, we are hopeful to make the long-awaited connection to the WOW trail in the not-to-distant future.  

Each of these projects was unique and all were the result of a true team effort, from the layout/design to the corridor clearing, to the machine and hand-finish work.  I can’t give enough credit to our amazing crew; Alec, Tim, Sean, Matt, Derek, Emma & Phil, for the huge effort they put in this summer.  A shout-out to the many volunteer groups that contributed to each of these projects.  Each of you has left your mark, literally, on these trails.  We also must thank all our community partners including Park City Municipal, Summit Land Conservancy, Utah Open Lands, Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, and Vail EpicPromise, and all our donors, both large and small.  We couldn’t do what we do without your support.  

2022, that’s a wrap!  We’ll see you out on the snow before you know it…    

The Mother of All Trails

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Three weeks ago, the MTF team completed our second major project of the summer, the Mother Urban trail. Named after a colorful character in Park City history, this new trail originates in the heart of Old Town, just off Lowell Avenue, gently ascending for nearly five miles and 1,200 feet before topping out on the Mid Mountain Trail just south of King Road.  

Bobbing and weaving its way up Treasure Hill, the trail passes under the Town Lift and brushes by the singletrack classics; Sweeny’s Switchbacks, South Sweeny’s and Gravedigger, followed by a long traverse, high above Daly Canyon.  It then switchbacks its way up a pine-covered ridge and crosses John’s ’99, before one last, aspen-gladded push to Mid Mountain.  Along the way you’ll pass iconic tramway towers, abandoned mine shafts and other relics – reminders of this region’s rich mining history.        

Designed to be directional uphill only for bikes, (multi-directional for foot traffic), the primary intent of the trail is to take pressure off two extremely popular climbs, Jenni’s trail and Armstrong, while also creating a unique user-experience and unparalleled views of Historic Old Town. The trail’s end point works seamlessly with Tommy’s Two Step providing a moderate, directional, climb from town all the way up to the popular yurt trail-hub at the top of the Crescent lift.  It also opens up multiple, new, loop options with nearby trails.    

This project was two years in the making and incredibly challenging from both a logistical and construction standpoint.  The team had to work around existing trails and private property within the Park City “spaghetti bowl” excavating through extremely steep and rocky terrain, particularly above the exposed Daly Canyon and the quartzite-covered, mine-riddled Treasure Hill. The finished product is the result of a true team effort, and the MTF crew did a stellar job from beginning to end.    

As with most projects of this scope, there were many moving pieces and numerous individuals working behind the scenes to help bring Mother Urban to fruition.  A big shout out to the Mother Urban Group, Park City Municipal, Andy Beerman, Pat Sweeny and Shaydar Edelman with Park City Mountain, to name just a few. It’s collaborations like these, that enable our organization to create great recreational opportunities. 

And lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pay homage to Rachel “Mother” Urban.  She was ahead of her time as an entrepreneur and pioneer, at a time when women were often marginalized and afforded limited opportunities. I would like to think that she would be thrilled to have a trail named after her, and having caught a glimpse of her intriguing story, it’s arguably one worth memorializing.

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Trail Report –  Cyn City

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The completion of Charlie’s 9K trail two years ago was a real game changer for the Park City system.  We were super excited about the potential this “artery trail” held, not only for dispersing use, but also in creating meaningful, exciting, new connections and loop options, both hike and bike, between the 9K, Mid Mountain Trail and existing upper elevation trails. 

In mid-July, after two-plus years of planning and construction, the first of these connections, the Cyn City trail, came to its flowy fruition. The trail was named in memory of long-time local, trail advocate and mountain biking pioneer, Cyndi Schwandt. In addition to being a founding member of the Team Sugar women’s mountain biking club, Cyndi was a pioneer in women’s mountain bike racing and an early Park City trail builder.    

From the start, the vision was to design a directional, mountain bike-specific trail that had the potential to serve the largest number of riders. We wanted to create something that would be more inclusive and fun for riders of varied ability levels. Since Cyndi’s untimely passing three years ago, we have been eager to recognize her enduring legacy, and this project seemed like a perfect fit.  With the support from Cyndi’s family, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and approval from Park City Mountain, we were green light, GO!

The canvas that we were immediately drawn to was the Black Forest area at Park City Mountain. Looking at topo maps, having skied the area in the winter months and ridden the nearby Black Forest bike trail, we realized that there was an opportunity to create something unique. A sustained descent of nearly three miles and 700 feet vertical, in a north-facing, partially-gladded, pine and aspen tree canopy.  “Tree canopy” and “north-facing” are ideal for maintaining moisture in the trail tread and the pines typically hold the most sustainable, loamy, “hero dirt”. 

Drawing a line on a topo map is one thing but “ground-proofing” and laying out a trail on an extremely steep, 40-degree slope, with a precarious mix of thick brush and jumbled deadfall log-jams, proved to be incredibly challenging.  And as we bushwhacked and performed the log-jam limbo, the Black Forest offered up some of its secrets. In between the beer cans, animal bones and lonely solo skis, we discovered a laminated photo memorial from years past, a now closed mine shaft, and most peculiar, some rotary phones mounted high up in the pines along with their cordless counterparts in their chargers, sitting upon stumps, awaiting a call. Curious indeed!   

This project was truly a team effort, and I can’t give enough credit to the MTF crew members, who, over the past two summers spent many weeks with the chainsaws, removing hundreds of tangled blowdowns, clearing the way for Chase and the mini excavator. They also packed and shaped each of the 16 switchbacks, cleared back vegetation, sledge-hammered “shark fin” rocks, added drainage features (and fun features), and put the final touches on the tread to get it ride-ready.     

Long-time crew member and talented trail artist, Chase Smith, used the mini excavator as a both a scalpel and a paintbrush, creating smooth, flowy lines, perfectly shaped, bermed turns that “cradle you like a baby”, in-sloped “catch berms” and exaggerated grade reversals and rollers to bump up the fun factor.  There are also several strategically placed features including log, rock and root drops/jumps. The trail is, as Chase likes to describe it, “interactive”.  So, while a lower intermediate rider can navigate it without feeling intimidated, a more experienced rider will quickly realize that with a few extra pedal strokes, it can be as fun or as challenging as one chooses to make it. 

Since its completion, Cyn City has had quite the buzz about it.  We have had 10-year-olds, 70-somethings, and every age and ability level in between, all grinning ear to ear, as they exit Cyndi’s trail.  Our entire team is proud of what we accomplished with this challenging project and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it bring joy to so many.  Simply put by Chase, after seeing the stoke that the trail has created thus far, “I think we did good.”  I have no doubt that Cyndi would agree.

Trail Stats:

Type:  Bike Only/Directional Down

Start:  Black Forest 

Finish:  Mid Mountain Trail

Length:  2.52 miles (2.72 with Black Forest)

Descent:  700 feet

Number of switchbacks: 16

Loop Options: 

1)     9K to Cyn, Mid Mountain to Boulder, Moosebones to Empire Pass/Bonanza Flat TH.

2)     Mid Mountain to Tommy’s Two Step, Keystone, Fat Lip/Stiff Upper Lip, 9K, Corvair, back to the Mid Mtn TH.

3)     Lollipop Loop: 9K to Cyn, Riser to Tommy’s Two Step, Keystone, Fat Lip/Stiff Upper Lip, 9K back to Bonanza TH. 

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