Rating:
Strenuous with very steep hills.
Length:
Depending on route chosen, 12, 22, or 52 miles (19.3, 35.4, or 83.7 km).
Surface: The route traverses a variety of dirt, sand, and rocky surfaces and crosses several creeks that may be muddy.
Description:
This ride is not recommended in the winter or spring months due to deep snow at higher elevations which make the route impassable. If you like fast downhill rides, this trip should satisfy you. The route starts at 8,500 feet (2591 m) on
Boulder Mountain and ends in the park at 5,500 feet (1676 m). Make sure your bike has good brakes. This trip works best if you can shuttle a vehicle to the Pleasant Creek parking area located at the end of the Scenic Drive and then drive to a starting point at the junction of the Bowns Reservoir Road and
Utah Hwy 12 on
Boulder Mountain.
Follow the Bowns Reservoir Road to Jorgeson and Tantalus Flats (bypass the turnoff to the reservoir), and continue into the park via the South Draw Road. The South Draw Road turns into the Pleasant Creek Road at the Pleasant Creek crossing inside the park. The parking area is located near this point. If you prearranged a vehicle shuttle, your trip will end here. Alternatively, you can ride the entire loop, including 40 miles (64.4 km) of paved road along the Scenic Drive and Utah Highways 24 and 12, back to your starting point on Boulder Mountain.
Be sure to carry a map of the area (available at the Capitol Reef Natural History Association Bookstore in the visitor center) as there are side roads that may be confusing. Rating: Strenuous with very steep hills. Length: Depending on route chosen, 12, 22, or 52 miles (19.3, 35.4, or 83.7 km). Surface: The route traverses a variety of dirt, sand, and rocky surfaces and crosses several creeks that may be muddy. Description: This ride is not recommended in the winter or spring months due to deep snow at higher elevations which make the route impassable. If you like fast downhill rides, this trip should satisfy you.
The route starts at 8,500 feet (2591 m) on Boulder Mountain and ends in the park at 5,500 feet (1676 m). Make sure your bike has good brakes. This trip works best if you can shuttle a vehicle to the Pleasant Creek parking area located at the end of the Scenic Drive and then drive to a starting point at the junction of the Bowns Reservoir Road and Utah Hwy 12 on Boulder Mountain. Follow the Bowns Reservoir Road to Jorgeson and Tantalus Flats (bypass the turnoff to the reservoir), and continue into the park via the South Draw Road. The South Draw Road turns into the Pleasant Creek Road at the Pleasant Creek crossing inside the park. The parking area is located near this point. If you prearranged a vehicle shuttle, your trip will end here. Alternatively, you can ride the entire loop, including 40 miles (64.4 km) of paved road along the Scenic Drive and Utah Highways 24 and 12, back to your starting point on Boulder Mountain. Be sure to carry a map of the area (available at the Capitol Reef Natural History Association Bookstore in the visitor center) as there are side roads that may be confusing.
In the park, bicycles must stay on designated roads at all times. Bicycles may not travel off road, in washes, on closed roads, on hiking trails, or backcountry routes. For overnight trips, you must camp in one of the three designated park campgrounds or on adjacent BLM or USFS lands. Water is difficult to find on all of the routes listed below, so plan accordingly. Check with the visitor center about availability before starting your trip.
