World-Class Hiking and Biking Options in Park City
By Stephanie Nitsch
When summer strikes in Park City, locals and visitors find themselves with unlimited world-class hiking and biking options in this trail-friendly community for outdoor enthusiasts.
Roughly 400 miles of multi-use trails wiggle their way through the mountains of Park City—a town that has been awarded the only gold-level Ride Center in the world by the International Mountain Bicycling Association in 2011. The recognition gives distinction to the area’s accessible trailheads, ample terrain variety and free public transportation or trailside accommodations that both hikers and bikers can utilize. While the trails are seemingly infinite, summer is not, so don’t waste any time hitting the trails running, walking, biking or…
Park City Area
Altitude can play games with your fitness abilities, and with some of Park City’s trails topping out close to 10,000 feet even the most physically fit lowlander will be challenged. Whether you choose to hike or bike, the Round Valley trail system will give your legs and lungs the proper warm- up they deserve. Seven-hundred acres of preserved open space provide access to more than 30 miles of rolling trail, dotted with high desert sagebrush and scrub oak, for all skill levels.
When you’re ready to explore higher ground, take advantage of Park City’s three world-class ski resorts, which all offer lift-served access for hikers and bikers. More than 65 miles of trails at Deer Valley Resort provide easy access to some of Park City’s oldest trails. Because it’s known for technical downhill mountain biking, the resort attracts many two-wheeled adrenaline junkies and offers introductory bike lessons to help riders confidently navigate the twisting ribbons of singletrack. With Deer Valley’s hike-only routes and less crowded cross-country trails, hikers are just as keen to discover the perfect stopping point for a mountaintop picnic or panoramic views of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains.
Across the ridgeline at Park City Mountain Resort there are plenty of high- altitude hidden gems to explore—namely, the emerald glades of aspen trees that shade miles of trail carved into the mountainside. Take a ride on the Payday Lift and hike a short ways to Bonanza Lift where you’ll be rewarded with a history lesson on Park City’s mining culture and architecture. Afterwards, follow Jenny’s Trail downhill to return to the resort, or amble along the classic Mid-Mountain Trail for an unforgettable walk above the city’s skyline. Alternatively, cross-country riders looking to rack up double- digit miles can branch off to additional trails at higher elevations, like the upper-intermediate Shadow Lake Loop nestled below Jupiter Peak’s 10,000- foot mark.
At neighboring Canyons Resort, trail users can opt to start their ascent from the resort village or shuttle up the gondola to cut out some of the legwork. A boon for the bike community, Canyons continues to invest in their two-year-old, gravity-fed bike park that caters to freeriders on the hunt for ripping-fast descents and airborne antics. Th e innovative park is loaded with man-made features, high-fl ying jumps and smooth berms that get progressively larger with every trail. For the more discerning hiker or avid cross-country pedaler, less intimidating trails may be found in any direction. Take note as the surrounding landscape oscillates between aspen groves, pine forests and desert shrubs for a magnifi cent display of Mother Nature’s brilliance.
Still haven’t had enough in Park City? Try your hand at the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase (Aug. 3), a longtime Park City endurance run that racks up 16 miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain at Park City Mountain Resort. Or train for the Park City Point 2 Point (Aug. 31), a stiff , 80-mile pedalfest that never crosses the same trail twice.
Snowbasin Resort
An hour north of Park City and just outside of Ogden, Snowbasin Resort is northern Utah’s hub for lush singletrack and hiker-friendly routes through stunning alpine topography. Twenty-six miles of trail wind through Snowbasin and link up with an additional 18 miles of neighboring Forest Service trail. Th e resort’s gondola accesses challenging uphill climbs and steep downhill switchbacks from the top of Needles Lodge, while lower mountain loops supply novice riders and mellow hikers with rolling terrain and leafy aspen groves. If your excursion ends at a designated Forest Service trailhead, Snowbasin’s weekend shuttle service (free with a gondola ticket or bike rental) returns hikers and bikers back to the resort’s base area twice daily.
If you’re intent on pushing your physical limits, be sure to check out some of the challenging events at Snowbasin this summer. Ambitious athletes can take part in a number of endurance races, including the Mt. Ogden 100k mountain bike race (Aug. 18) or the XTERRA off -road triathlon (Sept. 21), which combines swimming, mountain biking and trail running.
Sundance Resort
Explore beyond Park City limits to Hollywood icon Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort. Forty-fi ve minutes southwest of town discover an intimate peek at wilderness and solitude by means of bike or foot. Stark views of Mt. Timpanogos, Utah’s second highest mountain, loom overhead from every angle and trail. Take your time exploring ten miles of hike-only routes, or join a guided jaunt beyond resort boundaries as you learn about the local fl ora and fauna. Twice as many bike-only trails give riders free reign to unleash the throttle when technical singletrack gives way to smooth straightaways. Whatever mode you decide, lift -served trail access gives weary legs a rest on the ride up.
Planning Tools
Explore beyond Park City limits to Hollywood icon Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort. Forty-fi ve minutes southwest of town discover an intimate peek at wilderness and solitude by means of bike or foot. Stark views of Mt. Timpanogos, Utah’s second highest mountain, loom overhead from every angle and trail. Take your time exploring ten miles of hike-only routes, or join a guided jaunt beyond resort boundaries as you learn about the local fl ora and fauna. Twice as many bike-only trails give riders free reign to unleash the throttle when technical singletrack gives way to smooth straightaways. Whatever mode you decide, lift -served trail access gives weary legs a rest on the ride up.
Additional Resources
Canyons Resort: canyonsresort.com | 435-649-5400
Deer Valley Resort: deervalley.com | 435-649-1000
Homestead Resort: homesteadresort.com | 866-937-6288
Mountain Trails Foundation: mountaintrails.org | 435-649-6839
Park City Mountain Resort: parkcitymountain.com | 435-649-8111
Snowbasin Resort: snowbasin.com | 888-437-5488
Sundance Resort: sundanceresort.com | 877-831-6224
Zermatt Resort: zermattresort.com | 866-937-6288
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUMMER 2013 BIKE CALENDAR
