SUMMER TIME: MOUNTAIN BIKING IN UTAH

By Paul Te Prieto<Click on my picture Published on iski November 96 UTAH is probably best known for world class skiing, ski racing, and, lately, for being host of the 2002 Olympic Games. But if you are a mountain biking enthusiast or just an avid mountain biker then Utah is the place for you as well. When the ski season is over and summer rolls in, mountain bikers nationwide come visit our canyons and desertlands. For locals like us, we take advantage of the terrain that is practically in our back yards. My family and I enjoy mountain biking all summer, and some of the biking trails that we like best are only ten minutes away. For your reference and travel plans, I've put together some of the biking places that I've enjoyed with my family for years. Use it as a guide when you visit Utah. MOAB This town is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Rafters come to float the Colorado; hikers to explore neighboring Arches National Parks, four-wheelers to play in nearby Canyonlands National Park, and, of course, cyclists flock here for world class biking. The Moab area rides include many of the world's best known fat-tire trails - trails like Hurrah Pass, Porcupine Rim, Gemini Bridges, White Rim... Bicyclists can pedal to many outstanding fat-tire trails right from downtown Moab. Moab's Slickrock Bike Trail now attracts more than 100,000 people annually. For more info on Moab, contact Grand County Travel Council at: 800/635-MOAB. SUNSET CLIFFS Located in Tropic Valley just outside Bryce Canyon National Park, Sunset Cliffs displays its colors best at sunrise and are stunning at sunset. This 16-mile, intermediate-level loop starts at Tropic Reservoir, climbs to the Sunset Cliffs, then swoops like a ski run back to Tropic Valley. Rideable from April through October. ZION NATIONAL PARK Road riders will see the park's most spectacular sights on the 6-mile route that starts at the south-entrance campground and follows the scenic drive to Zion Lodge. Numerous fat-tire trails wind through the backcountry just beyond the borders of Zion. For more info on Zion and Sunset Cliffs, contact Color Country at: 800/233-8824 DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT My two boys loved it here! If you have children, this is the place. And I definitely recommend camping here a few days. The history of this place will amaze both young and the old. Dinosaur National Monument is a 210,844 acre, open-air, prehistoric museum complete with thousands of fossilized dinosaur bones and real live Paleontologists at work. My 10 year old son Josh told me it's like mountain biking through Jurassic Park. To see is to believe Biking is not allowed at the museum site but tour shuttles come and go every eight minutes. A 24-mile mountain bike loop starts at the visitor center and winds past markers describing geologic and paleontologic features. For more info, contact Dinosaurland at: 800/477-5558 TOOELE COUNTY This is the place for mountain bikers who seek unique terrain with plenty of solitude - virtually no crowds at all. The county's wide valleys, soaring mountains and mysterious desert offer an unforgettable riding experience for cycling enthusiasts of all ages. Located 30 minutes from Salt Lake City. STANSBURY ISLAND This is a rugged, 6-mile out-and-back trail that has been established by the Bureau of Land Management on the former shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville. Convenient parking is available. For more info, call Tooele County Chamber of Commerce at: 800/378-0690 ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK This is a perfect place to view the Great Salt Lake and experience the vast solitude of the great basin. The largest of the Great Salt Lake's 10 islands, Antelope Island is great for families with children. Visitors can view wild life, deer bobcats, coyotes buffaloes, and many varieties of birds. For more info, contact Davis County Tourism at: 801/451-3286. KNOLLS, UTAH- WEST DESERT- UTAH"S OWN AREA 51 ? You be the Judge.  CLICK HERE FOR A >MAP Located about 54 Miles from Salt Lake City and about 36 miles from Wendover, Nevada. Take the Clive exit off I-80. Though I have to admit, I"m probably the only one crazy enough to Mountain Bike through here. Rumors are that Area 51 is being transfered to this remote location. The Aurora or XR-7 which was spoted in Area 51 has been seen flying over this area at sundown. As I entered the North side of the Military zone, a camera kept a close watch. Within minutes, a black helicopter was over my head. In about 10 minutes a black hummer with two military personnel escorted me out of the area. What a lot of people don"t know is the amount of wild life, beautiful views, and difficult terrain that the west desert offers. I came across herds of Antelope, different species of lizards, Scorpions, Hawks, and also Bald Eagles that lay there nest in the desert rocky mountain peaks. Head North and you"ll discover Utah"s own AREA 51. The place that the very first Supersonic Missile was ever tested and launched in 1946. The bunker is now a Utah Historic Site that few people know about. This area is used by the Defense Department to test new missiles and a bombing range for the Air force. Here you"ll find some uncle Sam"s finest Jet Fighters practice there bombing runs. I was surprise to find a surveillance camera out in the middle of nowhere. Be advised that there is no service in this location. , meaning, no water, or first aid help near by. The nearest help is a Hazardous Waste Site nearby. Your pretty much on your own. But overall, you will find your ride interesting and challenging. Make sure to bring lots of fluids with you. PARK CITY Deer Valley Ski Resort offers lift-served mountain biking. The summer cyclist can take advantage of the lift service from June through mid-September, weather conditions permitting. Park City Ski Area also welcomes cyclists and hikers on designated trails. Ask for a copy of the trail map at the resort center. For more info, contact the Park City Chamber Bureau at: 800/453-1360 BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON The canyon begins at Wasatch Blvd. and ends 15 miles uphill at Brighton Ski Resort. Dramatic views of glacier-carved mountains, wicked switchbacks, and an exhilarating downhill make the climb well worth the effort. About three-quarters of the way up lies Solitude Ski Resort which offers lift-serviced mountain biking and 25 miles of trails. For more info, contact the resort at: 801/534-1400 LITTLE COTTONWOOD This canyon begins at 7200 South and ends at Alta Ski Resort. For extreme mountain bikers, my favorite is Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort which offers lift and tram serviced mountain biking - but to the expert and advanced trails only. I recommend taking a mountain biking clinic/workshop before boarding the tram for a ride. If you need practice, numerous beginner and intermediate trails traverse the lower mountain. Summer camp is also available for children 4 to 12 years of age. However, all campers must be pre-registered. For more info, contact Snowbird at: 801/742-2222 - EXT 4147 I trust this brief guide will give you some idea of the variety of mountain biking available in Utah. If you decide to visit us, don't forget to bring your sunscreen, water bottle, sunglasses and swimsuit. Have a safe trip!           I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAD E-MAILED ME FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN BIKING HERE IN UTAH AND I HOPE I GAVE ALL OF YOU THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO CERTAIN LOCATIONS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK SOME THAT I HAVE MET PERSONALLY. I HAD FUN SHOWING THEM AROUND.

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