Bucket List Trails

I’m often asked which are my favorite trails.  I answer this question in terms of my four favorite trail environments:

1.   High Mountains: 

My favorite trail system in the world is Alice Lake in Squamish, British Columbia.  Right up the road about an hour is Whistler Bike Park.  I have ridden these two locations for many years because they are my favorite in the world!  Alice Lake is the best place I have found in the world for rock slabs.  Pemberton, another hour north of Whistler is great if you happen to get a lot of rain while you are in B.C.  A taste of Squamish, B.C: our 2023 trip here.  And of first Whistler trip.

To muddy the waters more, I have to mention Big Sky Bike Park, Montana  This is one of my favorite parks because it feels so remote, yet it has everything you need.  The crowds are light here; it is a best kept secret.  You must drive through both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks while you are there.  While in the area, I added riding at Grand Targhee Bike Park, and I'm so glad I did.  Again, the scenary was breathtaking.  I didn't like Targhee as much as Big Sky, but it was still good!  Instead of going to the Jackson Hole Bike park, I would recommend doing what I did and riding down from the top of Teton Pass.  The trail I rode was "Lithium;" it is a classic.  I did carry grizzly spray with me. 
 

2.    Desert:

St, George & Hurricane,Utah

For years I had "The Whole Enchilada" in Moab as my number one choice for desert riding, but then I rode Sedona, AZ and southern Utah.  Chris, of Advenduro guided me near, St. George and Hurricane, Utah, and that experience took the top spot.  The main reason for this is that you get to experience exposure here, but it is more manageable than Sedona.  And you are not tied down to such a grueling long ride like you are on "the Whole Enchilada."  Don't get me wrong; definitely still ride Moab and Sedona, but do a tour with Chris first.  This way if you only get to have one desert riding experience, then you will get the best of both worlds.  While you are in this area, definitely also check out the first Red Bull Rampage site; there are some baby lines you can ride towards the bottom. Google "first Red Bull Rampage site," and you should find directions right to the parking lot.

Moab, Utah

In addition to "The Whole Enchilada," there is Bartlett Wash.

Bartlett Wash is a super neat free ride area where you can find lines as hard or easy as you want.  It caters to the more skilled rider.  We did not need a four wheel drive to get there when we went, but we almost did.  Slickrock is the most popular trail, and I enjoyed it a lot, but I would recommend it last over all the other trails I describe for Moab.  Klondike Bluffs is very pretty and a great place to ride for riders who aren't ready for the whole enchilada or some of the more difficult lines at Bartlett.

Since you are so close, you also have to hit the trails in Fruita and Grand Junction. I loved Fruita!  We rode the 18 Road trail system in Fruita. It was not technically challenging, but it was fun! The "Zippity Loop" was my favorite.  Grand Junction's Lunch Loops was awesome also!

My POV of Moab and Fruita

Sedona, Arizona

 The "Hangover" trail was by far one of the raddest trails I've ever ridden.  One reason I don't recommend it over southern Utah is that there is so much more exposure, and most riders would not like that.  I'm not a big fan of it either, and I walked a lot of the trail because of it, but I'm still so glad I experienced the entire trail.  "Hiline" was so good also; it didn't have as much exposure as "Hangover," but it still had a lot. "Hangover" was my favorite, with "Hiline" second, "High on the Hog," and "Hog Heaven" together as 3rd.  More information on some of the trails or sections with less exposure on my YouTube channel here:  SingletrackSkills

3.   Old Growth Forest:

McKenzie River Trail, Oregon (the MRT)

           This is equally as mesmerizing as “The Tahoe Rim Trail,” in CA, “The Top of The World Trail,” in Whistler Bike Park, or “The Whole Enchilada.”  It is simply mesmerizing in a different way.  You are surrounded by massive trees.  Some of them have fallen across the trail, and the forest service has cut out a place for you to continue to ride the trail.  When you ride through these fallen giants they are still taller than you are on your bike!  There is a beautiful river of clear rapids running right next to you for a good portion of the trail, with waterfalls and all.  An aqua pool in another part with cliffs surrounding it looks like something the elves made.  I’m not making this stuff up.  I kept wondering if I was going to see a unicorn run on the trail in front of me or Frodo Baggins and the other hobbits cross the trail somewhere…  You ride around one of the deepest volcanic lakes in the world with a petrified forest at the bottom--divers love it because of the clear water.

                      Google images of this trail if you don't believe me how beautiful it is, even though as we all know, photos can't do it justice.  My friends over at McKenzie River Mountain Resort did a good job hosting me and shuttling me both days I rode the MRT.   My POV footage.  And a cool video of some pros riding it...

Wilder Ranch State Park, California

                Just outside Santa Cruz, Wilder Ranch is amazing.  What makes it so unique is there are 500 foot cliffs on one side of the park dropping off into the ocean, and the trail runs along the cliffs (not too close).  On the other side of the park, the trail runs beside massive redwoods that are thousands of years old.  The redwoods are much larger than the trees along the McKenzie River Trail.  That, in and of itself, is spectacular.  However, I would have to say if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the McKenzie River Trail because it is more of a mountain biking destination.  But if you are ever near Santa Cruz, then you have to ride Wilder Ranch.  As with all riding destinations, just make sure you keep your valuables out of site in your car because I have heard of break-ins at Wilder Ranch.

Washington 

               There is so much good riding in the state of Washington.  I've only scratched the surface.  For the best skills park I have seen anywhere in the world, ride Duthie Hill.  This is THE place to progress your skills.  Tiger Mountain is another iconic trail system that you will definitley want to check out, if you are close to Seattle.  I enjoyed the Bellingham, Washington area so very much for both riding and teaching.  It would be well worth it to hire a guide so that you make sure you are riding the best trails in the right direction for your skill set.  Also why not tour Transition Bikes while you are there!  Some of the riding in Washington reminds me a lot of the riding in Pisgah and Dupont in North Carolina, and I love riding in North Carolina, but I like the riding in Washington a lot more.

4.       Swamps:

Alafia River State Park, Florida

                Yes, Florida!!!  It would be a mistake to think that all the trails in this large state are boardwalks or sandy beaches.  Alafia is not very big, but boy are the trails fun and unique.  It is supper cool going right beside the swamps and right over them via well maintained bridges.  I even saw a bobcat in the middle of the trail on my first trip there.  Are there gators in them there swamps??  Heck yes; on my third trip there I saw one right off the side of the trail; and that is part of the thrill of riding here. More info on Alafia here.  And  My POV footage of Alafia from my first trip there.  If you have time, hit Balm Boyette, which is not far away.  Nearby is Loyce Harpe Park (Carter Rd.) If you are limited on time, and can't do all three places, then definitely spend all your time at Alafia.           

Santos, Florida

                Well Santos doesn’t really have swamps and no gators that I know of, but you do get the neat Florida feeling of the large oak trees with the Spanish moss.  There are a lot of miles of trails at Santos. 

_________________________________

Ok, so I’m suggesting a solid bucket list could be at least one destination from each of the four types of mountain biking ecosystems: The High Mountains, The Desert, The Old Growth Forest, and The Swamp.  And I would probably try them in that order; although it is a toss-up--it just depends on what type of ecosystem you would like better.

There is excellent riding in Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and many other states, but much of the riding I've done in these states has a similar feel as to what I've described in the Old Growth Forest category--although not as spectactular.  Whereas, the High Mountains, the Desert and the Swamp are uniquely different.  For information on trails in the states I've mentioned in this paragraph, please go here.  

Northwest Arkansas:  If you don't have the cash to make it to some of these destinations out west and you love jumps, then Coler Preserve in Bentonville, Arkansas is fun.   I like Lake Leatherwood City Park near Eureaka Springs because of the shuttle service they provide.  For some technical cross country that keeps your attention and also allows some of the old ozark rock cliff scenary, I highly recommend Blowing Springs Park.  It is a great place to camp, and while most mountain bikers go straight to the Back 40 to ride, the trails in this little park have a lot more personality.  Ride everything in this park before heading to the Back 40. 

Can't forget about all these fun places:

*     Tahoe Rim Trail, including the Flume Trail near Lake Tahoe; & Northstar Bike Park, near Truckee, CA.  This would be an amazing trip if you can't make it to Whistler.  And the awesome town of Downieville, CA is also close.

*     Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado was a hoot.  It is a good first timer's bike park.  Try this bike park once, but then try other ones on other years.  There are too many amazing parks in the world to keep going back to this one.  Grandby Ranch is about 45 minutes away.  Check this one out the next day.

*     Deer Valley Bike Park in Park City, Utah is also a lift-serve park that leans towards first timers.   I didn't even realize until I rode the lift back up that I had ridden down the trail right beside two massive elk.  I don't need to tell you that I didn't take that trail again!  Downtown Park City is super cool.  I would stay at the Treasure Mountain Inn right in downtown Park City.

           If you are in Park City, then chances are you will have to travel through Salt Lake City.  If you do, then you might want to hit the Wasatch Crest Trail.  

*      The Monarch Crest Trail near Salida, Colorado  You are surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in the States (14000 feet).  Some of these trails run on the Colorado Trail for a while.

*.     Keystone Bike Park and Grandby Ranch Bike Parks in Colorado both have terrain every bit as difficult as some areas of Whistler Bike Park, although not as much of it.  Both of these parks are for the seasoned downhill mountain biker.  Grandby Ranch is much smaller and is close to Winter Park.  I liked the atmosphere or Grandby more.   Grandby is 1.5 hours from Keystone.

*      Snowshoe Bike Park in West Virginia It is a great place to learn how to ride in the rain with slick roots.   It is a much less expensive trip for those of us who live in the southeast. Oh, and if you have time, then you can't miss the pedally enduro trails that cut through moss that almost glows.  They are so unique and rooty!!

*     Bootleg Canyon (near Las Vegas):   The rocks here are sharper than any place I've ever ridden.  The downhill and enduro trails are very challenging.  

*       South Mountain (near Phoenix):  The "National Trail" was my favorite trail there. More information and tech tips on how to ride some of the challenging features are over on my YouTube:  Singletrack Skills  Albuquerque, NM also has some fun trails in the high desert area.

*      Tamarack Bike Park  This would definitely be a great place to go if you are trying to ride in every state, and you want to ride in Idaho.  Just don't forget your goggles because, like Northstar in CA, it is very dusty.  It has one of the biggest rock rolls into a drop I've ever done.  (Picture of it is in the scroll at the top of my home page)  

*         Bogus Basin  This is a great park to hit if you are in the Boise area and do not have a lot of time to explore the state.  They work hard here to make sure a small park has a lot of fun trails.  Don't forget your goggles because of dust.

*       Spider Mountain  This is even smaller than Bogus.  It is the smallest lift serve bike park I know of, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in cool vibe as well as trails that have had a lot of TLC.  If you are near Austin, Texas, then you have to check it out!!  It is the only lift serve bike park that I know of that is open all year.  The lift is only 350 vertical feet.

*     Windrock Bike Park is also open year around, but they use shuttle trucks and trailers instead of lifts.  Windrock has the steepest trails per capita of any place I've ridden in the world.  You would not think that could be the case in little 'ole Tennessee. 

*         Pike's Peak.  "The Barr Trail" is the trail that descends all the way from the top of Pike's Peak.  This is definitely a bucket list trail.  But it is one not without its challenges.  If you want to shuttle it, then you will have to have a driver drop you off, but the driver will not have a place to park, so he or she will need to drive back to the bottom.  The first few miles are hike a bike.  The other challenge is there are a lot of hikers, so it is best to find a local to guide you at a time when hikers will be at a minimum.  Now for the good news: the terrain on this trail is very technical in parts.  It is also fast and flowy in parts.  And the scenery is brilliant. 

*     Shepherd Bike Park just south of St. Louis, Missouri is one of my favorite places to ride in Missouri.  Missouri has a lot of underrated tech trails.  Shepherd is one of the rockiest places I've ridden, and it is a lot of fun.  Definitely purchase a lift ticket ahead of time through their website. Ironton, Missouri, where the park is located, has a neat, authentic, small town feel.  The locals really appreciate visitors, and don't take mountain bikers for granted.

*        Grand Junction:  The "Lunch Loops" area is one of my favorite places to ride, not just in Colorado, but anywhere.  it has the amazing soil of Fruita but it has more challenging features.  I really enjoyed "Andy's Loop" which had a little bit of everything.  While I'm talking about Colorado, I need to mention a few more trails and areas to ride.  Each of these affected me greatly because of the altitude coming from almost sea level.  At 54 I got headaches at night after riding.  If you are near Boulder, and you like extremely steep and challenging trails, then "Left Hand" is the way to go.  If you are near Golden, then "Dakota Ridge" is fun and challenging.  "Floyd Hill" is also not far from Golden, and has some challenging sections.  The trail "Black Jack" at the "Buffalo Creek" trail system is very unique and extremely challenging.  I would hit Grand Junction as a special trip, but these other trails I would only hit if I were near them; they aren't a destination in and of themselves, but they are really good!!

*     North Carolina:  For sure check out Pisgah's Farlow Gap and Dupont's Cedar Rock, but once you have checked them off, get more bang for you buck by hitting Ride Rock Creek and Ride Kanuga.  These are my favorite two riding destinations in North Carolina.

*       Angel Fire Bike Park, New Mexico.  I loved it!!  For some helpful information and riding tips, check out my playlist: Angel Fire 

*     Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado, was awesome.  Amazing scenery, no lift lines, friendly people, and a cool town are just some of the thumbs ups.  The green trail, "Painter Boy" was incredibly scenic rolling through aspens.  I did this one several times.  Their signature double black trail that can be seen under the lifts, "Psycho Rocks," was one of a kind!!  So grateful I cleaned the hardest line under the lifts at almost 58!

 I hope this information helps.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the destinations I described above, please contact me.  I would love to learn from your experiences as well!!