Mountain Biking Conditions are Ideal!

September is probably the best month for mountain biking in Park City. As the start of the fall season, September is usually still warm, but no longer hot as in July or August. We often get a little rain to pack down the dusty trails and it gives the dirt have just the right amount of moisture for that perfect tacky texture. Also this time of year you'll see the colors starting to change and some beautiful pop of bright reds and oranges against a still very green backdrop. The days wil typically get up to about 80, and commonly will stay in the 70's. At night however, it does get cool, often down in to the 40's and 50's. October can be a mixed bag of weather, very nice or starting to snow, so September is really the best time to come out. Many of us have been getting out quite often recently and I can report the trails are in great condition. Below are some photos of a few of the trails I have recently been on.

This above photo is from the popular Mid-Mountain Trail. From here you are overlooking the town of Park City, into Prospector and Park Meadows. And the views on the horizon are of the Uinta Mountains.

Again, the above photo is from the Mid-Mountain Trail. In this section the trail becomes a bit rocky as it passes by the cliff bands that you can see when you look up at the trail from town. Both of the photos are from about where the new Armstrong Trail reaches the Mid-Mountain Trail. You can ride up Armstong, which is an uphill only trail for bikers, to reach Mid-Mountain. From that intersection you can go left to Park City ski resort or Left to Canyons resort. If you go left, as I did here the views are amazing, but the trails eventually gets very rocky so I dont recommend this direction. I ride fairly often and it rattled me up quite a bit. It gets tiring and simply becomes less fun as youre bouncing around.  If you go left it is much better, as it is a much smoother, rolling, fast, cruising ride through the trees with a view great view shots still.

The above photo is another point of view from the Mid-Mountain Trail. This is after the cliff bands, before you head into the trees and cut accross Iron Mountain. At this point, I am looking up the trail at Iron Mountain. You can see some switchbacks on the mountainside, which is part of the Ironman Trail which is a cut-off from the Mid-Mountain Trail. Both eventually meet up again on the other side of Iron Mountain.

This above photo is from Mid-Mountain Trail if you go left at the top of the Armstrong Trail, which is what I highly recommend. As you can see you are in the trees for nice shade, and the trail is a beautifully packed single-track thats weaves through a nice rolling mountainside surrounded by aspen trees. You will encounter a few roots and rocks, but mostly its pretty smooth, and a fast paced trail. The trails heads up and downa little, but does not chagne much in elevation, so at this point its a great cruise. You can take this to many other connections, or continue to and through Park City ski resort all they way past the Montage Hotel and to Deer Valley ski resort's Silver Lake Village. A good way down in Park City resort is the Crescent Mine Grade Trail.

This photo above is from the new Pinecone Ridge Trail. This is quite a grind going up, but is beautiful! Once you head up Armstong Trail, and then turn left on the Mid-Mountain Trail you'll soon come to the start of the Pinecone Trail on your right hand side. This Trail continues up the ridge, and over, and eventually leads up to the Wasatch Crest Trail. It takes me about 40 minutes to get to the top of Armstrong and then about another 40 minutes to the top of Pinecone Ridge. Armstrong is probably a bit mellower to climb, a bit more foregiving. The Pinecone Ridge Trail starts that way, but gets a little steeper, and each time you think youre close to the top, its still a little further! I dont want to talk you oit of it, but it is a tough ride all the way to the top. I you dont ride often, just be sure to give yourself some extra time to make the ride.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like more advice or info on where to ride, please give us a call. We're glad to share our local knowledge! Sean - 435-901-2158