Brian Head Singletrack Bike Tour
RIDING TYPE
Advanced
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
July - August
Brian Head 5-Day Expert Singletrack Tour (11,307 ft)
Conquer High-Altitude Mountain Biking in Utah
For the seasoned singletrack aficionado seeking an exhilarating challenge, Western Spirit Cycling presents our Brian Head Singletrack Mountain Bike Trip. Dive into Utah’s high country, where Brian Head Peak, soaring above 11,000 feet, offers an unparalleled network of technical singletrack trails. Our meticulously crafted 5-day itinerary unlocks thrilling descents, challenging climbs, and breathtaking panoramas of Southern Utah’s stunning landscapes. Prepare for high-altitude riding that demands significant singletrack experience and peak physical condition, promising unrivaled views and an unforgettable Utah mountain biking adventure.
Since 1990, Western Spirit Cycling has specialized in complex, remote expeditions. Our decades of proven experience and unwavering reliability mean you can focus solely on conquering Brian Head’s legendary trails with confidence.
Ultimate Expert Challenge & High-Altitude Immersion
This Guided Brian Head Singletrack Tour is tailored for Expert riders, featuring:
Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge: Ride narrow, steep mountain trails at elevations primarily above 10,000 feet. Expect physically demanding ascents and thrilling ridge riding with exposure.
Iconic Utah Singletrack: Conquer renowned trails like Bunker Creek, Dark Hollow, and the Virgin River Rim Trail (VRRT).
Breathtaking Panoramas: Experience true high-altitude cycling with panoramic vistas stretching across Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, and Southern Utah’s red rock country.
Fully Supported: Seamless camp support ensures your multi-day cycling trip is worry-free, despite riding trails with no vehicle support.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
Your Brian Head bike trip begins in St. George, UT. After meeting, we’ll shuttle you into the high country to access miles of extraordinary singletrack.
We’ll ride to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead, ascending to a spectacular view before enjoying the thrilling descent along knife-edge ridges and through wild hoodoos.
We’ll ride to camp along the scenic Red Canyon Bicycle path, with an optional afternoon ride on the Losee Canyon Trail for those wanting more.
We’ll break camp and head to Strawberry Point, the starting point of the truly exceptional Virgin River Rim Trail.
This high-altitude trail offers challenging climbs and swooping descents along the colorful pink rock rim, forming sheer cliff faces hundreds of feet tall.
We’ll reach Cascade Falls, a fascinating geological phenomenon where water spills from a lava tube, forming the headwaters of the Virgin River.
A strenuous climb along the rim returns us atop the spectacularly eroded pink cliffs, bringing us to our camp for the next two nights at Navajo Lake.
From our comfortable camp at Navajo Lake, we’ll head back out onto the Virgin River Rim Trail for another incredible day.
We’ll ride through thick forests of Douglas fir and serene aspen meadows on rolling singletrack, enjoying prime turkey and deer habitat.
This section, cut into the slopes of the Virgin River headwaters, offers many ups and downs with a general contouring trend.
Once back at camp, you can either take a refreshing dip in the lake or head out on the 5-star Navajo Lake Loop, a cruise through the ancient lava field.
We’ll shuttle directly to the Brian Head resort area. From the 11,307-foot summit of Brian Head Peak, enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views.
The trail traverses the high ridge before we drop into an aspen and pine forest for a technical singletrack ride of a lifetime (rocky sections, loose gravel, tight switchbacks).
The afternoon brings more exhilarating downhill singletrack on the Lowder Ponds Trail, concluding with a two-mile climb to our high alpine camp above 10,000 feet.
Today is the singletrack grand finale! We’ll ride directly from our high alpine camp to the Right Fork of Bunker Creek Trail.
Dropping into the drainage is where the real fun begins – an incredible 3,000-foot singletrack descent through the trees with a small stream crossing.
We’ll conclude our ride near Panguitch Lake, load up the bikes, and shuttle to the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument for more “beauty overload” and a final lunch before shuttling back to St. George.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Primarily singletrack (packed dirt, rocky, loose, some slickrock, forested terrain).
Overall Rating
Very difficult riding on narrow, steep mountain trails. High level of skill and fitness required. Expect riding along steep mountain ridges with exposure to falls. Expert
Technical Difficulty
Difficult (expect numerous obstacles, rocky sections, and tricky maneuvers).
Physical Difficulty
Difficult (due to high altitudes over 10,000 feet, sustained climbs, and long unsupported sections).
Altitude
Typically 9,000 - 11,307 feet (Brian Head Peak).
Biking Mileage
9-30 miles per day
Hiking Mileage
9-30 miles per day
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
St. George, UT. Begins 7:30 AM MST at Holiday Inn St. George Convention Center, 1808 Crosby Way. Spend the night before in St. George.
Getting There
120 miles north of Las Vegas on I-15. Flying into St. George (SGU) or Las Vegas (LAS, St. George Express shuttle) or Salt Lake City (SLC, St. George Express, ~5hrs).
Taxi Service
Quality Cab 435-656-5222; Taxi USA 435-656-1500.
Lodging Before Your Trip
Holiday Inn St. George Convention Center
Book your room at the Holiday Inn using this special booking link to enjoy a discounted rate.
Tru by Hilton St. George
Fairfield Inn St. George
Hilton Garden Inn St. George
Quality Cab: 435-656-5222
Taxi USA: 435-656-1500
PACKING
Standard western spirit packing list
- Meals/camp gear provided
- Bring/rent bike & helmet, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cycling & camp clothing, personal items, tipping cash (10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
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