Brian Head, UT Singletrack - 5 Day Mountain Bike Trip

Brian Head Singletrack - 5-Day Guided Mountain Bike Trip

This trip is cream of the crop singletrack trails, with a diversity of riding that will astound you. The journey starts near the lava fields that have formed the high Markugunt Plateau and Navajo Lake, a crystal blue jewel tucked in an aspen covered valley. The swooping turns of the Virgin River Rim Trail will make you smile, until you see the views of the cliffs of Zion National Park. Then your jaw will drop.

We'll travel to Brian Head Mountain, Utah's highest town, where the trails are rocky, steep, switchbacked and good bike handling skills are a must. We top off the trip with the Thunder Mountain Trail which snakes through the pink limestone cliffs that form the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon.

Trip Details

RIDING TYPE | Advanced

TRIP DURATION | 5-Days

SEASON | July – August*

*Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.

• Road Surface: Variable, mostly singletrack, some doubletrack and dirt roads, a few miles of pavement.
• Technical Difficulty: Difficult
• Physical Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
• Altitude: 7,000 - 11,000 feet

This is a technical singletrack trip at elevations between 7,000 and 11,000 feet. A high level of fitness and singletrack experience are necessary. We will be without vehicle support during all singletrack sections of the ride.

See what our guided adventures are all about through TripOutside's personal epic journey with Western Spirit.

Itinerary

DAY 1

After meeting up in St. George, we will shuttle up to the high country to access extraordinary singletrack! After fueling up with a hearty lunch, we ride to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead where the singletrack winds in and out of  orange limestone ridges covered in Bristlecone and Ponderosa pines. We top out with a spectacular view from Thunder Mountain which carries us along knife edge ridges and through wild hoodoos. We’ll ride to camp along the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail. From camp we will have the option to head out to the Losee Canyon Trail for more!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles AM, 15 miles PM

DAY 2

After a delicious breakfast we’ll break camp and head for Strawberry Point and the start of the Virgin River Rim Trail (a truly exceptional trail)! This is a high point and the colorful pink rock of the rim forms sheer cliff faces that are often several hundred feet tall. The trail is fairly wide with challenging climbs and swooping descents, including a brilliant route along the rim. After a few miles we’ll wind up at Cascade Falls, an interesting geological phenomenon. Water from Navajo Lake runs underground in a lava tube before spilling out of the cliff face and forming the headwaters of the Virgin River. This river is responsible for carving the deep canyons of Zion. We’ll have lunch, a little siesta, and then head out for more. A strenuous climb along the rim returns us to the ridge line and will place us atop the spectacularly eroded pink cliffs. A bit more riding will bring us to our camp for the next two nights at Navajo Lake.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 21 miles

DAY 3

From our camp we will head back out on the Virgin River Rim Trail for another great day. We will ride through thick forests of Douglas fir and aspen meadows on rolling singletrack. This section of trail is cut into the slopes of the Virgin River headwaters and contains many ups and downs, but the general trend is a contour. Upon reaching the Deer Haven Trailhead, we will shuttle back to Navajo Lake. Once at camp, we can either take a dip in the lake, or head out on the five star Navajo Lake Loop that cruises through the lava field which formed the lake several thousand years ago. The perfect ending for a perfect day!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 13 miles AM, 10 miles PM

DAY 4

After a hearty breakfast we’ll load up and shuttle to the Brian Head resort area. The peak’s elevation is 11,307 feet and from the summit we will enjoy views in all directions, including Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The trail traverses the ridge before we drop into the aspen and pine forest for a singletrack ride of a lifetime. The trail is technical with rocky sections, some loose gravel and tight switchbacks. Time to pay attention and enjoy! In the afternoon, our shuttle vehicle will take us up to Brian Head Peak again for more downhill singletrack riding on the Lowder Ponds Trail. The trail winds by small lakes, traverses several meadows and drops steeply into the forested west side of Sidney Valley. We’ll meet the dirt road here and climb two miles on the Sidney Valley Road to our high alpine camp above 10,000 feet.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 12 miles AM, 8 miles PM

DAY 5

Today is the singletrack grand finale! After breakfast (and coffee!) and breaking down camp, we ride right from camp to the Right Fork of Bunker Creek Trail. As you start the gradual descent into Bunker Creek, look for the outstanding views of the desert landscape down below. Dropping into the drainage is where the fun begins. It’s an incredible singletrack descent (3,000 feet!) through the trees with a small stream crossing along the way. We’ll finish near Panguitch Lake, load up the bikes, and shuttle to the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument for more beauty overload. We’ll take a short walk to enjoy the amazing views and then have a yummy lunch, sharing stories from the week. We’ll shuttle back to St. George and say our goodbyes.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 9 miles

Why Book with Western Spirit

We love biking and traveling as much as you do! For over 30 years, we’ve been in the business of bike guiding and we’ve honed every little detail to give you the highest quality bike trip on the market. We’ve cherry-picked the best mountain bike trails and road rides so you can immerse yourself in the stunning landscape of the American West. We go the extra mile to make sure you have the most fun on your bike!

At Western Spirit, our staff is the heart of our company. Our guides love what they do, and are dedicated to providing you with a memorable vacation. Each of them has received extensive training in backcountry travel, cooking, natural history, and first aid, not to mention their cycling and mechanical skills. They are committed to helping people experience the outdoors and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Their attention to every detail leaves you free to enjoy the riding.

It’s our philosophy that everyone in our busy world needs to get outside more. We know it’s tough to squeeze it all in, but with Western Spirit we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Our friendly office staff is just a call away to help you find the perfect trip for you. We believe in getting away from it all, spending rejuvenating time in nature, and most of all, having a lot of fun!

Logistics

MEETING PLACE AND TIME

St. George, UT This tour will begin at 7:30 AM MST at the Holiday Inn St. George Convention Center 1808 South, Crosby Way, St. George, UT 84790. After loading up we will drive to the start of the ride, near Brian Head Peak. You will need to spend the night in St. George because none of the shuttle services from Las Vegas or Salt Lake run early enough. See more details in “Lodging Before Your Trip”.

ENDING TIME

We will return to St. George between 3:00-4:00 PM on the last day. You will have time to catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas, but not to Salt Lake.

What's Included

The trip price includes food and drinks for the trip, guides, support vehicle, campsites, permits, and any entry fees into national parks and public lands.

• meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks
• camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware
• 1 cycling water bottle
• camp chairs
• dry bags to pack your gear
• solar showers
• sunscreen & bug spray
• bike stand and lube
• guides bring their own tools
• first aid kit with basic medications

Not Included

Rental fees (bikes and camping gear), alcoholic beverages, gratuities for your guides, and applicable sales tax. If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages we will store them for you at the appropriate temperature.

FAQs

How many people are on a trip?

Most of our permits allow us to take 13 guests and 2 guides, although many trips are smaller than our maximum allowed. Our Maze permit in Canyonlands National Park is more limited with only 7 guests and 2 guides to maintain the remote wilderness experience.

Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?

Yes, no problem! We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and we do it frequently. Our guides are masters at making sure everyone is satisfied. Please let us know when you fill out your forms so our guides can accommodate you and your needs. It is good to be specific (e.g., vegetarian but prefer tempeh over tofu) to help the guides with meal planning.

Do you rent bikes?

Yes - for mountain bikes, we use the Specialized Stumpjumper ST 29ers. For road bikes, we use the Specialized Diverge E5 Elite. All our rental bikes come with flat pedals, a helmet, and one water bottle cage. We provide the water bottle and all the bike repair gear.

If you’re renting a bike from us, you do not need to show up early. Please meet at the scheduled time and we will fit you to your rented bike then.

All Western Spirit rental bikes come with flat pedals. If you have clipless pedals (e.g., SPD, Crank Brothers, etc.), you’re welcome to bring them along with your shoes. We swap out pedals all the time!

Do you rent camping gear?

Yes! You can rent tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads from us. Sleeping bags are thoroughly washed between trips.

When camping, where do I go to the bathroom?

It’s not a glamorous topic, and we know this can be a subject of concern and embarrassment for some. We make it as easy and sanitary as possible! If we’re camping in designated campsites, we use the pit toilets available in the campgrounds. If we’re camping in the backcountry, we obey by the pack-it-in-pack-it-out rule. We set up a portable toilet lovingly called “the groover,” and put it in a private location with a stunning view. We provide a hand wash system for clean up.

Will I be able to take a shower?

We offer solar showers which are a nice way to rinse off and refresh yourself, but it is not enough water to take a full-fledge shower. The showers are not private, so please bring a swimsuit and your own towel. Showers are dependent on water resources, which may be restricted if it’s a hot desert trip. Some campsites have streams and lakes available for swimming. We also recommend wet-wipes to refresh after a fun day on the bike.

What if I'm traveling by myself?

Please join us! We get solo travelers all the time and going on a bike trip is a great way to meet like-minded people. Many of our guests end up as lifelong friends after a Western Spirit trip.