Leave Toto Behind - Trails in Ogden Valley
By Chris Ferrario
Don’t let the altitude get to you, but the scenic views probably will. Throw your bike on the rack and hold on ’cause this ain’t Kansas little girl … We can begin our journey at the Sinclair station from I-84, Mountain Green Exit. Follow the frontage road east. Roadies can take the long, steady pull up to the top of Trapper’s Loop. This breathtaking 365-degree panoramic view demands that even the most avid cyclists stop, smell the roses and checkout the towering peaks. This stretch of mountain highway connects Ogden and Weber Valleys. For an organized event, ride the annual Cyclists Against Drunk Driving (CADD) Century, 60 mile or 30 mile road ride tour of both valleys. The ambiance of these two stately valleys is like a magnet attracting both winter and summer outdoor enthusiasts alike.
At the summit, many mountain bikers of all levels favor the venue of the 2002 Winter Olympic Downhill and Super-G, Snowbasin Ski Resort, as an escape destination for challenging off-road adventures. From Trapper’s Loop take Snowbasin Road, look for Green Pond and follow the trailhead markers for Wheeler Creek. This ride will appeal to intermediate and advanced off-road enthusiasts. The upper section is more suited to advanced riders than the lower trail that crosses Snowbasin Road. Following this route takes the rider to the base of Hwy 192 and the 25-mile Pineview Reservoir loop. Don’t want to make the complete loop? Don’t blame you. You can shuttle a car to the summit and take off from the mouth of the canyon at the Pineview Dam. To get down off the mountain to Ogden Valley below, roadies can take the quiet, windy, steep Snowbasin Road, but the Trapper’s Loop descent will guarantee an endorphin enriched screamin’ downhill thriller.
On the Pineview Loop, roadies will enjoy flat to gently rolling grades. As you make the loop, the striking contrast between the majestic Wasatch Range, placid lakes and beaches, and verdant farmlands will rivet your attention. Hot air balloons are not uncommon to these parts of Ogden Valley in the early morning hours. If you’re a real aficionado for this kind of stuff, a must-do would be the local Balloon Festival, always in September. The loop around Pineview Reservoir presents another unique and enticing diversion. Stop by the Abbey where the Trappist Monks break from chants 6 times a day. Say hi to Father Patrick at their quaint gift shop. Highly recommended is the rum flavored honey in a gift pack for jealous relatives.
Continuing around the Northeast end of the loop, checkout tougher trails; Shupe Canyon, Middle Fork and Geersen Trail. Together, they make a particularly technical challenge, rough, rocky and steep ride. Roadies can escape eastward toward Monte Cristo and westward to the sleepy town of Huntsville, home of the oldest bar in Utah, the Shooting Star Saloon. (Note: highly advisable to wait until you’re done riding to wolf down a Shooting Star Burger). If a lack of sweet n’ low and a salad send you reeling, you can continue around the reservoir and stop in at the classic western Eden General Store. Get a feel for a local hangout with inexpensive carb reloading fare and some Burt’s Beeswax for those chapped lips. Try their dried blueberries for a healthy treat on the trail.
With a belly full, continue to the north end of the loop. Here are yet two more ski resorts, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley, visible from the valley floor. If you are toying with the thought of making the ascent to Powder Mountain, prepare for an insane, seven-mile, gear-grinding climb. The views at the top are amazing, but don’t try to call mom. This summit doesn’t hook up with cell phone service. Maybe a better idea yet, make the climb in your car and “ski the views” when the snow flies in December. But if you must, there is an off-road race in September that experienced racers and wannabe’s alike step up to ride in this lung-buster.
Need more adventure? Make a detour at downtown (downtown?) Eden, hydrate, rest, use the facilities and head toward Nordic Valley Ski Resort, the North Ogden Divide and North Fork Park. The latter is about 5 miles away offering more super off-road trails and lots of camping and hiking. Continuing northwest over the North Ogden Divide, roadies again can entertain yet another grueling, but gratifying ascent. At the summit, off-road enthusiasts can start at the South Skyline Trail and head for a highly challenging ride from North Ogden Divide to Ogden Canyon. Enduring the many tough switchbacks is a small price to pay. The reward is catching the 9.5-mile “skyline” view, with the added bonus of an occasional moose sighting. For a less intense journey, drop a car at the trailhead on highway 128 (Pineview Loop). Remember, proper trail etiquette dictates that mountain bikers yield to horses, hikers and moose!
Back down to the loop, continue around the lake to your start. Along the way, look for Diamond Peaks bike rental/ski shop if you need some assistance or gear. Dam reconstruction should be completed by Spring 2003. Check before you trek. If you’re lodging in Ogden, you can head down the canyon at the dam. Go west on highway 39 through the pines and steep cliffs paralleling the Ogden River. Hikers can stop for a canyon view up Indian Trailhead, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The Oaks Restaurant serves up casual, hometown food with riverside views on the patio. At the mouth of Ogden canyon, the east bench has singletrack trails like the Bonneville Shoreline, rideable by virtually any level for spine tingling rides. After passing the waterfall, Catch Rainbow Trail behind Rainbow Gardens or the Bonneville Shoreline connecting from 20th, 22nd, 27th and 29th streets, or anywhere the pavement meets the mountain. From the Shoreline Trail, options appear endless with amazing views, quality dirt, and lots of rock. The trails crisscross, climb and traverse the Wasatch Range providing endless layers of singletrack options for the Billy Goat within you. Seek out Taylor Canyon, Mt. Ogden and Beus Canyon Trail. Give yourself time to explore. If in doubt, point those knobby tires downhill and you’ll find your way home, Dorothy.
Chris Ferrario, self-proclaimed "roadie" and mother of two, rides and hikes the trails near her home in Ogden. Chris is a partner in Bistro 258.